Over the next month, the prison grew. 

They brought in more members, and everyone put in their part to rebuild the prison. 

"Morning", Daryl breathed out as he woke the sleeping girl beside him.

With her eyes closed, she sighed and smiled

"Morning" She fluttered her eyes open and stretched before turning to snuggle into Daryl's warm arms.

Just like every morning.

"Are you coming with me today?" He asked, hugging her even tighter.

"Not today; I have to go target practice with some of the newbies" She looked up at Daryl.

"Be nice", He reminded her, causing her to laugh.

"I'm always nice" She sat up on her arm, her lengthy hair covering her face.

Daryl used both of his hands to push it out her way and hold it back.

"I need a haircut" She laughed, blowing some of the hair that had fallen from her face.

"No", Daryl frowned. "I like it long", Daryl whined

Theo laughed

"But you have never seen it short" " she reminded him

Daryl messed with her hair to make it look like she had short hair, making Theo roll her eyes.

"Nope," He admitted, bringing her face down to kiss her. 

Theo laughed before rolling over Daryl to get out of bed.

She stood in his shirt and her underwear, walking over to their makeshift dresser to get out some clothes.

Daryl rolled on his side, propping his head on his hand as he watched her.

"It's rude to stare." She smiled without turning around, looked through her drawers, and grabbed a pair of black cargo pants.

"I think I get a pass" He smirked as he looked her up and down.

She removed her- well, his- shirt. He was leaving her in the nude on her top half.

Theo smiled at Daryl's stare before throwing his shirt at him.

She grabbed a black crop top, unable to bother with bras anymore.

She put on fingerless gloves she had found, figuring they helped with bruising. She had to show many newbies how to punch, which left a mark.

She grabbed a hairband and threw her hair into a messy ponytail.

Finally, she grabbed a jacket, a green bomber jacket, followed by her boots.

Daryl sighed as he finished watching her get ready, knowing he should do the same thing.

Daryl followed as they got ready as they headed out for breakfast.

"Morning, Theodora!"

"Morning, Daryl!" Everyone greeted them as they walked over to Carol, who made breakfast every morning for the prison

"Morning, Pookie, morning, cutie" She smiled at the couple, causing Theo to laugh.

"Morning, Carebear" She smiled as she was handed a plate.

"You might have to delay the run today", Carol began as she looked over to the fence.

"Why?" Daryl asked, taking a bite of his food. 

"Excuse me, Mr Dixon?" A young boy asked

"Yeah?" He turned to face the boy

"My name is Patrick, and I would just like to thank you for collecting that deer for us yesterday by shaking your hand" He smiled, holding his hand out.

Daryl looked at Theo, who smiled, telling him to shake the young boy's hand.

Before shaking the boy's hand, Daryl wanted his fingers to clean from the grease.

Carol took Daryl to the far fence as Theo took over

"Mrs Dixon?" Patrick asked

"Not quite kiddo." She smiled, corrected him gently, and ate some deer.

"Oh, sorry" He apologised awkwardly.

"No, it's fine, Theodora Grimes, but please just call me Theo" She smiled as she handed someone a plate of food.

"Theo, can I join you at practice today?" He asked, his hands behind his back.

"I would say yes, and trust me, I have argued with my dad, but I'm not allowed kids under 16 to come to target practice" She sighed, knowing it would be a good idea to get the kids to understand how to defend themselves.

"Okay, I understand, see you later... Theo" He smiled before walking away

After a few hours, Daryl got ready to go out.

"I'm leaving in 5," Daryl said, walking into their room to grab his bag as Theo sorted out her weapons to teach in the next few minutes.

"I will say goodbye now because you must start soon." He nodded and kissed her quickly.

"Okay, be safe." She nodded as they left the room and headed in different directions.

Daryl walked over to the car they were taking and packed his stuff.

He watched as everyone kissed and said their goodbyes

"Like a damn romance novel," He rolled his eyes

"Oh, come on, Dixon", Zack smiled while pointing at Theo from the other side of the field.

"What?" He asked, shrugging at him. 

"Nothing, bro. I'm just stating that you can't say anything," Zack smiled while getting in the car.

Daryl smiled as he watched Theo talk to many people about weapons.

"Yeah, you definitely can't talk", Michonne teased.

"Shut it" He smiled, but it was true.

"Dude, now you're just staring." Zack laughed at Daryl, completely lost, looking at Theo.

"A man can look at his girl?" Daryl snapped, standing up.

"There is staring, and then there's melting into a puddle of love", Michonne teased, making Daryl roll his eyes.

"Come on..." Daryl smirked.

He got on his bike before leading the others out of the prison and to a nearby store.

Meanwhile, Theo's lesson had just started.

"So everyone is good at different things. I use either my knife or bat for walkers unless I have to use my gun. When it comes to people, guns are your best choice," She began as she grabbed an M4A1.

"Do we have to kill people?" One man asked

"Sometimes. You need to know when to kill someone and when to hurt them. It's all in the eyes. But if someone is threatening your family, would you rather know how to kill someone than not know and lose your family?" She asked as the man looked to the ground.

"Theo!" It was Beth. She had asked her to come and see her earlier, but she was on babysitting duty.

"Sorry, 1 sec", Theo apologised to the group.

"So, today marks one year since Daryl and I first kissed. Cringe, I know, but I was wondering if you could get me this list. There should be all of it lying around," she asked, handing her a note.

"Oh yeah, sure" Beth smiled before returning to the prison.

"Sorry about that. So, as I was saying, do you have a family here?" She questioned, walking back over to the others again. The man nodded

"So, when a person points a gun at you and your family, you aren't going to shoot?" She asked

He went silent, indicating he was wrong.

"Walkers aren't just a threat to us. People are, too." She explained as everyone nodded

Theo began explaining how to load and reload the gun, how to shoot, and the best tactics for each.

"I want to end this with practice. So, down there, you see that bag of hay? I want you to use your knife to hit it," she explained as she walked in front of everyone.

"You might not ever need to use your knife like this, but if you are out of ammo and a walker or person begins to head your way, you have this as a last resort", Theo began a demonstration.

"You need to not think about it; you must realise this is life or death!" She yelled, throwing her knife at it and hitting the bag of hay.

"You're up," she told the group of people—one by one, they went, some hitting and some not.

"This is stupid!" One man yelled, who wasn't able to hit anything

"You think it's stupid? Learning how to defend yourself and everyone else?" Theo snapped

"Not a woman like you teaching us? Why isn't your father teaching us?" He wondered, "Or Daryl, Glenn, Merle? Goddam it, even the kid would be better?!" He yelled at her

"What's your name?" She asked, taking a step towards him with her arms crossed. 

"Steve"

"Well, Steve, do you want a man to teach you?" she wondered, walking over to him. Merle, who was currently gardening, noticed the commotion.

Since Theo and his brother saved him, he owed them everything. 

He gave them their space; he helped where he was needed. 

He made it worth the fact they saved his life. 

Therefore, when Daryl wasn't there, Merle kept an eye on Theo for his brother. 

"I would feel safer," he admitted, looking for some support from the others, but no one agreed.

"You want to know why I am the one teaching you?" she asked, taking an angry step forward.

He waited

"Because I am a perfect shot; if I want to hit something, I will; if I wanna kill something, I will; if I wanna fight and win, I WILL!" She yelled, causing the man to jump. Also, it caught the attention of others: "You want another man to teach you how to fight? Go ahead; I know you're embarrassed to get taught by a woman. It just proves how small of a cock you have " She crossed her arms, people behind her laughing.

"Bitch" He snapped

"Oh, you kiss your mother with that mouth?" She teased, "You think you're better than me? Fight me, and we will see who is going to make it through the apocalypse and who is going to get eaten or beaten by a woman" " she offered, initiating a fight.

At this point, Merle had stood, slowly making his way over to the group. 

"I'm not fighting a woman" He laughed

"No? And that's why you will die out there" She smiled

"Fuck you!" He yelled at her while tackling her on the floor.

She landed straight on her back, getting winded by the force.

He pinned her down as she caught her breath back.

The man getting cocky began to smile.

But instead of giving up like a wimp, she spat in the man's face, making him close his eyes and use his hands to let go of her and wipe his face.

Dirty fighting skills, but something she had to use.

She used that chance to sit up and head-butt him in the face, making him fall back; she stood up before kicking him when he was down.

Merle watched, impressed, allowing her to do her thing. 

She stopped, knowing she didn't want to injure people so they could still fight.

At this point, she heard the footsteps of running people.

She grabbed his shirt, making him look at her.

"Your arrogance and sexism is how you just made a fool of yourself; you can keep coming back and learn to fight by a girl, maybe you will be able to use that man muscle to win against a fight one day, or you can fuck off and teach yourself" She snapped as she looked up to see her dad and Carl.

"You can go now," She told the group.

As this was happening, the group that went on the run returned

"What the hell was that about?" Rick asked

"The dick was sexist, thinking a man should teach them how to fight", She angrily put as Daryl made his way over.

"I'll talk to him" Rick nodded.

"I think she handled herself well enough for him to get the point officer-friendly," Merle smirked as Daryl looked at his brother, and they shared a look. 

"It's done" She rubbed her head.

Rick nodded at the two of them. 

"Rick..." Daryl began, turning the conversation. 

"How was the run?" Theo asked, looking at him, noticing he looked upset. 

"We lost Zack, the roof of the store caved in, a few dozen walkers fell through, and then a helicopter almost fell on us", Daryl sighed.

"Have you told Beth?" Rick asked, looking around for the young girl. 

"No, I'm about to head over in a minute" Daryl nodded, Rick and Carl, leaving the two alone.

"You okay?" Theo asked, pushing the hair away from Daryl's eyes

"Sick of losing people" He frowned, looking at her and then to Merle, who was talking to a group of his old friends he made at Woodbury. 

"Me too" Theo looked at the floor.

"You okay?" Daryl asked, holding her waist. 

"Yeah," she said, trying to smile at him.

"What happened?" he asked, looking in the direction of where the class Theo had previously instructed was. 

"Steve, a man in the group, was telling me I couldn't teach him how to fight." Theo began as they began walking up to the prison

"Why?" Daryl asked

"Because I have a vagina" She laughed, shaking her head. 

"So, he thinks you can't teach him because you're a woman?" Daryl was disgusted

"Yep, but I beat his ass in front of the group, so I don't think he will try that one again" She laughed as they continued to walk up the field.

"That's ma girl" She laughed as Daryl grabbed her hand, smiling at her laugh.

They looked at one another before walking to their cell.

"I'll be in in a minute", Daryl said, looking over to Beth, who was in her cell writing in her book.

Daryl broke the news to Beth, who surprisingly took it well. She was upset, but she was done crying.

"Hey, Daryl?" Beth smiled

"Yeah?" He wondered

"Here" She gave him a box

"You finished it?" He asked; she nodded

"Thank you" He thanked her.

Daryl stayed with her for a while before he headed back to his room, where he was stopped by the talk of some of the men in the cell.

"Who does she think she is, making a fool of me in front of all those people?" The man began

"I know, the bitch thinks she can fight; the only thing significant about her is her ass" Another laughed.

"Fucking Theo Grimes, she's only cocky because she is protected by her dad, her boyfriend, his brother and her best friend" A third voice continued.

Daryl wandered over, stopping at the doorway.

"You have to admit, Daryl must be getting the best sex in this place if she can move like that," the original voice said, causing them all to laugh.

"You better watch your mouth," Daryl said, making his presence known to the men.

Their faces all went white, scared of how much he had heard.

"Daryl, my man, how are you?" Steve smiled, trying to play it off.

"You talkin bout my girl?" He asked, already knowing the answer

"Who Theo? No, of course not," Another defended

"You wanna come and say that to her face? Or how about you repeat it to mine?" He said, walking closer

"Come on, man, we were joking."

"Not something I find funny", Daryl began. "Just because you're embarrassed that you got your ass beat, Theo is one of the most skilled people here; she is a perfect shot and could take you all out without the protection of anyone. So, I suggest you shut your damn mouths, not talk about my girlfriend's ass and learn to fight. There isn't anyone else who could teach you like her." Daryl defended with every word

"It was a compliment, man. I wish I had a piece of a woman like that," one arrogantly laughed, making the other watch him in fear.

Daryl practically ran at the man, pinning him up against the wall.

"Man, I should kill you right here", Daryl threatened. "Give me a good reason why I shouldn't" Daryl nodded, making the three fear for their safety.

"I'm sorry, man. I won't do it again...." The man practically pissed his pants in fear

"You don't talk about my girl like that again. Do I make myself clear?" Daryl dropped the man

"Crystal." He nodded fearfully

Daryl turned back and headed back to his room.

When he returned, Theo was waiting under the duvet with a book in her hands.

He removed his shoes, stripped his boxers, and climbed beside her.

"I have something for you" " she began, putting down her book.

"What's that?" He asked, smirking at her

She leaned over Daryl and grabbed a small box under the bed

"Happy anniversary!" She laughed

Daryl smiled; he hadn't forgotten but tried to play it off.

He opened the box to reveal a bracelet.

"See, now we have matching ones" She laughed shyly. 

"Thank you; I love it." He smiled at the black string and blue ribbon bracelet as he placed it on his wrist.

He kissed her before grabbing the box Beth had given him earlier on.

"You remembered?" She smiled in awe, making Daryl roll his eyes.

He handed her the box; it was much larger than the one she had given him. She happily took it with both hands.

She pulled it out to reveal a black leather jacket with wings on the back, just like Daryl's. However, while his coat was more of a vest, she was a complete, long-sleeved jacket.

"Found the jacket a few runs back; Beth has been putting the wings on." He smiled

"Oh my god, I love it" She smiled, kissing Daryl.

"Good, I'm glad" He smiled before kissing her again.

Due to their long days, they decided to go to bed before the night could become more intense. They snuggled under the cover.

Daryl looked at her, the only source of light coming from outside.

Theo was already asleep by the time Daryl was comfortable.

He closed his eyes, knowing he had the best thing to happen to him, right there, lying next to him.