<><><><><>

Jo

It was still dark when I awoke. I was sprawled across Daryl's bare chest, and his soft snoring told me he was still fast asleep. I reached up and laid my hand against his chest feeling his slow, steady heartbeat beneath my palm. Despite the early hour I knew I wouldn't sleep again. I was amazed I had managed to sleep at all last night. But when Daryl and I went to bed he had seemed to understand, and committed himself to wearing me out. It had worked, and I had managed a few hours of uninterrupted sleep after.

Not wanting to wake Daryl with my restlessness, he needed as much sleep as he could get, I slipped out of bed. The air was cool against my bare skin. I peaked out the door and when I saw no one in the basement I jogged to the bathroom. I showered, and pulled my wet hair back into a stubby ponytail to keep it out of my face. I was amazed it had gotten so long.

When I slipped back into the room wrapped in a towel Daryl was sitting up, wiping at his eyes sleepily. I froze, caught off guard by how amazing he looked. The sheets were pooled in his lap, his hair still mussed from sleep, the front of it falling into his eyes. His lips twists into a smirk as he caught me staring.

"Morning, Darling," he said. He stood and crossed the room, pulling me against his warm chest.

I kissed him back gently but then pulled away. He looked down at me, but seemed to understand. I needed to keep moving, and it was a fight to resist the urge to start pacing.

He glanced out the window and the sun was just starting to come up. "Still a couple hours til we leave," he said scratching at the stubble on his cheeks.

I nodded, and turned to the closet. I pulled out a pair of dark skinny jeans, and a long sleeve, black, thermal Henley. The shirt was tight enough it would fit comfortably under my shoulder rig but it would keep me warm enough I could leave my leather jacket behind once we went inside. I didn't want anything getting in the way of my ability to fight.

As soon as I was dressed I pulled on my shoulder rig and knee high boots. Daryl sat back on the bed and watched me as I slowly started to arm myself. He didn't say anything as I triple checked my knives once they were all in place.

"Are you nervous?" he asked in a low voice.

I looked up at him in surprise. "Not for myself," I said honestly. I sighed and dropped down onto the bed next to him.

He looked at me curiously but didn't say anything more, waiting for me to get out what I needed to say. "Just-no unnecessary risks today, okay Dare?"

He frowned at me, and then a gentle smile crossed his face. He slid an arm across my shoulders and pulled me into him. "Ya got it darling," he promised, speaking against my hair. "As long as ya promise me the same."

I looked up at him frowning. He snorted. "Out of the two of us darlin' I am not the one with a history of rash decisions."

I looked at him, my mouth dropping open in shock. "Oh really?" I asked incredulously.

"Really," he replied with a teasing smile as he caught me in his arms. He leaned back against the pillows, pulling me down on top of him. I started to protest, but he silenced me with a passionate kiss. His tongue slid against mine as his hands started fiddling with the straps of my shoulder rig.

"Dare," I said, gasping for breath as I pulled back.

"We got hours darlin' and nothing to do but worry," he said firmly.

"But Dare, we should..."

"We should what?" he asked, arching a brow at me an impish look on his face. Then he leaned forward, his tongue and lips moving over the sensitive skin of my neck.

"I-" I started to say and then his teeth grazed the skin below my ear and all thoughts fled. "I don't know," I finally said, because I couldn't think of any arguments as he rocked his hips against mine.

Then he rolled us over so his weight was pinning me to the bed. "I've got a few ideas..."

<><><><><>

Jo

We left a few hours later. Daryl and made our way into the motor home. Rick, Michonne, Abraham, Sasha and Jesus were all waiting for us. I stepped inside, a rifle in one hand. I leaned it against the seat and dropped down next to Abraham.

He cut his eyes to me. "Looking especially badass today Little Sister," he said with a teasing smile.

I snorted and nodded. "Yeah I brought all my toys out to play today," I said flashing a predatory smile.

Jesus was sitting across from us and he was watching me closely. His eyes dropped to the sheath of four throwing knives I had strapped to one thigh. I hadn't worn it when he had seen me before and I had been wearing my jacket beforehand well, concealing most of my weapons. He knew I could fight, but he had never seen me in all my glory. There was no reason to hide it all now.

Three knives were under my left arm, one under my right along with a hand gun. I wore my spine sheath and my kukri rested on my left hip. The throwing knives were strapped to my right thigh. I had another knife at my waist, one strapped to the outside of my right boot plus two small fold up ones hidden, one in my opposite boot and one hooked to my bra strap under my shirt.

"How many pounds of steel you suppose you're carting around?" Abraham asked in a teasing voice.

I shrugged. "Same amount I train with every day."

Abraham started chuckling and clapped me on the shoulder. 

I sat back against the seat and watched out the window, trying not to let the tension and nerves get to me. We rode for a couple hours before the motor home slowed. Rick parked the motor home and laid on the horn. The other two cars followed suit.

Rick climbed out of the motor home, his boots clicking against the pavement. "Aaron, Rosita, we start here," Rick barked out. "We peal off every quarter mile, meet back here in a couple hours, see what we got."

Aaron squatted next to the road and opened his bag. He handed out walkie's to someone on every team. Daryl took one look at the group and headed towards our rear, standing in the middle of the road he kept watch while we coordinated. Aaron handed me a walkie. I clipped it to my belt and turned to meet Daryl.

Daryl and I walked down the road with Sasha and Abraham for a bit. The original teams had been Abraham with Rosita and Sasha with Aaron. But when Rick woke this morning to find Abraham asleep on our couch, he wisely shifted them. Sasha and Abraham broke off roughly a quarter mile down and headed into the woods while Daryl and I continued.

We walked in comfortable silence. It was overcast but warm and I let myself enjoy the sound of the wind in the trees and Daryl's silent company.

"Hey," he called to me. I turned and he was already a couple steps down the ditch, heading into the forest. He jerked his chin towards the trees. "Quit day dreaming," he called out in a teasing voice. "Let's do this."

I snorted at his comment but nodded and followed him into the trees. I drew my kukri and my hunting knife, adjusting them in my grip in anticipation. It had been a long time since I was out in the forest like this. If I let myself be honest with myself I would realize I had missed it.

We didn't have to go far before we came to the first group of walkers, drawn towards the road by the honking horns. There were five of them. Daryl drew his knife and machete and we stepped up towards them as one. We fought them back to back, killing them easily. Tonight wasn't going to be as easy.

I cleaned my blades on one of their shirts and looked thoughtfully at the bodies.

"What d'ya think?" Daryl drawled, walking among the corpses. He bent down to inspect them closer, wrinkling his nose from the smell.

I shrugged and pointed with my knife at one of the older males. "Maybe that one?" I asked. "I mean if we cut the hair and trim the beard...if it's dark..." I dragged off.

"Lotta if's darlin'," Daryl said not looking convinced.

I nodded in agreement. It was a lot of 'ifs', I only hoped the others were more successful. He shrugged and swung his machete, cutting off the head with one swing.

I sheathed one of my knives and grabbed the head by the hair. I stalked back up through the trees, Daryl trailing behind me. I felt looser somehow, more free already. Being out here, fighting even that little bit had warmed me up and I was ready. I was able to shake free from what I had become in Alexandria and remember that I was good at this. In fact, I was best at this.

When we got back only Rick and Michonne were back. We were all supposed to gather in front of the motor home once we returned with our heads. Daryl climbed up on the hood of the jeep to sit and wait.

I stepped around to where Andy and Jesus were waiting. I tossed the head at their feet. It landed with a viscous squish. Andy jerked and spun around to face me. I had surprised him. I flashed him a smile. I was surprised to find I was enjoying myself. Jesus met my gaze and I could see the laughter in his eyes. I returned to the jeep and climbed up beside Daryl, pulling my knees up to my chest. I laid my cheek on my knees and closed my eyes, resting until the others returned.

It was almost half an hour before everyone reconvened. Rick stood in the center of the group, his rifle resting casually in his arms. "We're going to take a look around, try to get a feel for how many people are in there. We like how it looks...we go in a couple of hours before dawn. The guards outside will be tired. Everyone inside will be sleeping," he paused and took a breath. "We don't like what we see, we head back, make a new plan. They don't know who we are. We keep Jesus in the shadows," he looked around at the group and when no one seemed to have anything to say he looked to me. "Jo-" He said, stepping back so I could take his place at the front of the group.

I jumped down from the hood of the jeep, landing silently. I sucked in a breath and stepped up, looking over the group. "We're doing this quick and quiet. You all have guns, but we want to avoid using them as long as possible, which means knives," I drew a knife, letting it dance of my fingers before I held it up for them to see. "Most of you haven't had as much experience with knives," I said looking over their faces. "Knives are great for walkers because the decomposition process often compromises the structural integrity of the skulls and certainly lessens the density. People who are alive, however are different. If you sink a blade into a person's skull," I tapped the middle of my forehead with the flat side of the blade. "You'll have a hell of a time pulling it back out. Softest path to the brain is through the ear." I touched the tip to my ear. "If that's not possible, I recommend the eye socket or...up through the bottom of the chin," I demonstrated the movement beside my head. "A swift single strike, straight up, it cuts through the tongue, keeps them quiet...any questions?" 

When no one responded I nodded and stepped back next to Rick.

I knew who's gazes to avoid. I knew who would be looking at me with judgement and I didn't want to see it. Not now. I couldn't afford second guessing myself. Now, I needed to be sure of myself, my resolve and my skills. Doubts would get us killed.

"Thanks Jo," Rick said in a low voice and he turned back to the group. "You all have your orders, you know your teams...This is how we eat. This is how we eat." he repeated several times as though he were reassuring himself. I wondered how well Rick slept at night knowing he was turning us all into mercenaries. "We roll out at midnight."

Everyone was tense with anticipation. They dispersed to try and get some rest before we left.

Andy and Jesus were standing behind us. I turned and frowned at the look on Andy's face.

"What?" I asked challenging. I lifted my chin defiantly and felt Rick and Daryl step up behind me.

Andy looked back and forth between the three of us. He lifted his eyebrows and shook his head. "The saviors, they're scary, but those pricks got nothing on you."

<><><><><>

Jo

At midnight we moved.

Andy went by himself in the jeep with the head they had chosen. Unfortunately, there were no better options then the one Daryl and I brought in. With a few alterations the head was as good as it was going to get.

Daryl and I moved through the forest together to get around the back of the building. We crouched, just around the corner from the front door. We looked around but there didn't appear to be any cameras despite the fact that it was obvious the place had power. I wondered briefly how it operated. We had a solar grid that generated our power, but I didn't see any panels here.

We were in the bushes half an hour before Andy arrived. Daryl was tense but he didn't appear outwardly nervous like some of the others. After seeing them this evening I wish we had left Heath and Glenn at home. They had no business being involved in something like this. As far as I knew Glenn had never killed anybody. This was something I would happily keep from my friends if possible.

Daryl bumped my shoulder with his, jarring me from my thoughts. I looked up into his eyes. I would have done a lot to keep Daryl from having to do this as well. His eyebrows drew together for half a second as he studied my face. I flashed him a tight lipped smile and looked down at the rifle in my hands, checking it over for the hundredth time.

I heard the quiet squeak of brakes and my head snapped up to see the white Jeep pulling in. As soon as Andy parked in front of the building three red spot lights illuminated the whole lot. I sank deeper into the shadows, brushing against Daryl's side.

I was more nervous than I realized. Not nervous about what the others were. I had done plenty of killing and while I didn't like it, it wouldn't break me. I was more nervous about whether or not I would be able to keep control in there. I hadn't had an issue in months, not since that time when Daryl left. Knowing Daryl was at my side made me breathe easier but I wasn't sure I would ever trust myself. It was just too easy to go back to that place. And squatting here in the dark with the comforting weight of my weapons surrounding me I could feel that place lurking in the back of my mind. Just one, tiny step away.

Stop, I ordered myself, reset. I narrowed my eyes with concentration as I focused on Andy. Our ally.

A voice came out from the front door. "Announce yourself asshole."

"It's Andy from Hilltop! It's done!"Andy's voice cracked and broke with stress and fear. At least he didn't have to act to get that part right.

"Step out!" The voice ordered.

Andy complied, but I could see him shaking from here. Despite claiming to be a fighter for Hilltop he was not equipped to deal with this type of stress.

"Is that it?"

Andy held the bag up out to the side to show he wasn't a threat. "Yeah."

"Bring it here shit brain," the voice commanded and Andy flinched into action.

As Andy approached the building two armed men came out of the building. They moved like military men, with automatic rifles. They moved like an experienced team. One stepped forward and searched Andy while the other stayed back, out of reach, covering them with his rifle.

Andy held out the bag to them.

"I don't want the bag needle dick."

Andy looked uncomfortable as he eased the bag open and pulled the head out by the hair. His face crumpled and he looked like he might throw up.

"Will you look at this shit? Will you look at this shit?"

These men were hard, they were experienced. They reminded me of the claimers. I tightened my grip on the handle of my kukri. They didn't get to live.

The other man stepped up, taking a closer look. I tensed, my other hand hovering over one of my throwing knives. This was the man we needed to convince. He was the brains of the two. He studied the head, frowning.

Andy shifted his weight uncomfortably. After a while he couldn't take the silence. "He broke my hand. I broke his nose. That's why he looks that way," the words came tumbling out, sounding rehearsed to my ears.

The man took the head in his hands and looked it over close up. Then he studied Andy, waiting for him to squirm. He slowly lifted the head up, took the chin in his hand and made it move. "Little bitch broke my nose."

The other man guffawed and Andy chuckled nervously with them. The man tossed the head off into the bushes without a care. He stepped up to Andy and wiped his hand off on his clothes. "Okay, looks like you learned. I'll get your guy, you go home, and you bring us more stuff next week, hmm?"

Andy nodded, more than happy to comply. Beside me Daryl tensed, preparing himself to strike.

Then he left, leaving Andy alone with the other guy who started whistling to himself.

As soon as the door closed Daryl struck. He ran up behind the guy, slit his throat and stabbed straight down through his skull. Despite being on the same side Andy flinched back, his eyes widening with fear.

Heath, Rick and Glenn ran out and scooped up the body while Daryl took his gun. He jogged back around to the side of the building where I was still waiting in a ready crouch. He was breathing heavily, but his face was impassive. They cleared the scene in seconds. So far the plan was going off without a hitch.

When the first man came back out with Craig, Andy was standing in the same place in the middle of the sidewalk looking innocent.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is." Craig was in rough shape. He hadn't been in their care very long. I made a mental note to never be taken prisoner by these people. They obviously didn't care, even if the hostage was useful to them. I slid my hand down my kukri, feeling it resting securely against my thigh. I would die before I let anyone take me again.

Michonne struck from behind. Her katana coming up through the saviors heart. We were all moving now.

Craig leapt away screaming.

Andy jumped forward and caught him. "It's okay, it's okay." He promised. "We're bringing you back. We're bringing you back."

Showtime.

The other's converged on the body, dragging it out of the way while Andy pulled Craig towards the car. Abraham and Sasha and Daryl and I were the first through the door.

Abraham and Sasha cleared the rooms on the left side of the hall while Daryl and I cleared the rooms to the right. I held the rifle up, tucked tight into my shoulder, not really liking it's unfamiliar weight.

Rick and Michonne came up the middle, leading the rest of the group.

"Check the doors, find the arsenal, we take them out." Rick whispered unnecessarily one last time before everyone started breaking off on their own.

I took a steadying breath, pushing away the last vestiges of fear and uncertainty. We had a task. This was it. I closed my eyes once more and focused. When I opened them I let myself be that other person. I took one step closer to that dark place in my brain.

I turned to the closed door in front of me and glanced at Daryl. He nodded and squatted, holding his tactical shotgun up and ready. I swung the rifle strap over my shoulder so it was across my back and pulled my hunting knife. I bumped Daryl's shoulder with my hip to let him know I was moving. I reached for the door handle. It swung open silently and I stepped back. If anyone rushed us, Daryl was ready with his gun. When no one came I stepped around him while he swung around, his back to me while he watched the hall.

There was a man sleeping on a low cot in the room. I stepped in and took a deep breath. I moved over the bed and slid the blade through his ear, the strike was smooth and clean. He never woke. When I pulled the knife back out it was wet and warm with blood. I grimaced and wiped it on his clothes before stepping back into the hall. Daryl cut his eyes to me but his expression was closed. My face was a perfectly calm mask.

Daryl and I moved down our hallway. We were far enough away, we couldn't even hear the movement of the others anymore. I didn't like it, this place was a labrinyth of rooms and narrow hallways.

We came to the next door and repeated the motions. I knew Daryl didn't like me being point, but just like before when he still had his crossbow, it made the most sense. He was better with a gun than I would ever be and as much as I knew he would never say, and I could scarcely allow myself to think it. I was a better killer.

This door was locked. Daryl looked up at me. He handed off his gun and pulled out his knife. He was better at opening locked doors than I was. I took a step back and waited, tensed for whatever would come through that door when he got it opened.

I had target fixation which was why I didn't notice the man until he came up behind me. He swung at me and I nearly fell, trying to get back out of the way of his knife. It grazed my left bicep and I grunted in pain but kicked out at him, catching him in the chest. He stumbled back and Daryl was waiting, stabbing his knife into the man's heart. The body fell and Daryl slammed his knife into the man's skull to make sure he stayed down.

We turned back to the door, intent on opening it when an alarm suddenly started blaring through the halls. I looked back at Daryl, dread in my eyes.

"Guess it don't matter if we're quiet no more," he growled and he kicked the door open. It slammed against the back wall and shouts came from inside. Daryl started firing his gun and I pulled the rifle around into my hands, and opened fire. Bullet's zinged back at us and Daryl shoved me aside. I stumbled and fell out of the door way just as a hale of gunfire tore apart the space where I had just been standing. Daryl flung himself off to the side. He landed on his back, but never lowered the gun, killing the two men who came charging through the door a moment later.

Daryl and I were both on our feet and jogging towards the sound of more gunfire. The cement and metal building made the sound echo through my ears and I couldn't stop them from ringing.

We came around a corner to see Michonne and Rick pinned down. I dropped in a crouch at the corner and laid down fire, while Daryl stood over me, doing the same. Michonne fired again and the men went down. We tore off down the hall as a group as we heard yelling from deeper in the building. We came to a tee and swung around the corners, the four of us standing back to back. A man came charging towards us. I flipped off a knife, landing it in his heart. I jogged towards him to get it when I heard yelling behind me.

Bullet's whizzed past me and I ran for the next corner. I threw myself around it, my body pressed against the cold floor. When I looked back Daryl was no longer behind me, he, Rick and Michonne were pinned down back in the hall where we had come through.

There was movement behind me and I turned just in time to see two men bearing down on me. I took a breath, fighting to slow everything down. I drew in a second ragged breath and focused.

Neither men had guns but my rifle was over my shoulder and I wouldn't be able to get it around fast enough. They were bigger than me, stronger, so I needed to make sure neither laid a hand on me. If they hit me, it would take me longer to get back up.

I flipped off my first throwing knife, the man saw it coming and tried to duck, instead of catching him in the heart it landed in his shoulder. He howled in pain and slowed. The second man kept coming. He was too close to throw the second knife I drew and I slashed wildly at him. He stumbled back, trying to avoid the blade and I let him. It bought me time to regain my balance. Once stable I kicked him in the chest, using his backwards momentum to knock him down. Once he hit the ground I snapped off the blade in my hand. It hit him in the chest, but he had still been moving and he swatted wildly at it. The blade landed center which meant it lodged in his sternum.

I was drawing the next one when someone slammed into me. The impact of the first man threw me into the wall. I felt all the breath escape my lungs. I gasped for breath but didn't stop moving. I kicked back and heard a satisfying grunt as my boot connected with the man's stomach.

"You stupid bitch!" the man from the ground yelled and I heard a clatter which I assumed was my knife hitting the ground. Distantly, I was glad. By pulling out the blade he would bleed out faster, effectively killing himself quicker for me.

I spun, pivoting off the foot that had kicked and brought my other leg around, kicking the first man. My boot connected perfectly with his temple. His neck snapped back and he went down, either unconscious of dead. By the time I was back on two feet I had my last throwing knife in my hand and threw it. This time I didn't miss the heart. I stood there, staring down at the bodies as I fought to drag air into my lungs. The whole thing must have taken less then two minutes.

The sound of gunfire pulled me from my thoughts. Shots were coming from a closed door firing at a group of people fifty feet down the hall. Somehow I hadn't noticed them. That was incredibly dangerous.

Someone grabbed me from behind and propelled me to the other side of the hallway, pinning me against a pile of crates. It wasn't Daryl. At first I started to fight before I realized they were shielding me as bullets started flying blindly from behind the door.

"It's me!" I heard a low male voice. I glanced up to see Jesus's startling blue-green eyes from only inches away. The lower half of his face was covered by a bandana.

The gunfire stopped and Jesus stepped back, releasing me. He took my wrist in one hand and pulled me to my feet, but kept me behind him. The door at the end of the hall opened to show Glenn and Heath staring down at the pile of bodies they had killed.

There was movement with one of the bodies, the man was raising his gun to take a shot at Glenn. Jesus fired his gun before I had the chance.

Satisfied they were all dead I returned to the two bodies and collected my knives, driving a blade into each of their brains to make sure they didn't turn.

"So this is the next world," Jesus muttered, pulling his bandana down.

I glanced over my shoulder to see him staring down at me. I wasn't sure how to respond to his comment. "Thanks," I told him instead.

He nodded, but still looked troubled. "Why didn't you just shoot them?" he asked, his eyes resting on the handgun still tucked under my arm.

I looked down at it and shrugged. "To be honest I forgot it was there," I said tucking my last blade away. "I'm more comfortable killing with my knives."

The look on Jesus's face made me think I had said something wrong. I thought back over my words, but my brain felt a little muddled. I swiped a hand over my eyes. We needed to keep moving and get this done. The sooner we got out of this concrete hellhole the better.

The four of us headed back down the hall where I had been separated from Daryl. When we caught up with them, everyone else was there as well. Daryl's eyes swept over me and he turned his gaze to Jesus who was standing at my shoulder. Jesus lifted his chin and Daryl returned the gesture. Glad someone was finally getting along.

"Let's do one last sweep," Rick said. "Gather the guns and any other supplies we can find and get out of here."

Everyone nodded. Rick lifted the walkie from his belt. "How are we looking Maggie?"

The only response was the crackle of static. Rick frowned. "Maggie? Carol?" he called into it, but there was no response.

Glenn's eyes widened as he started to panic.

Jesus held up his hand. "We couldn't reach you when you guys were in here. Must be the cement building. There's no reason to panic."

Glenn didn't look convinced.

"I'll go check on them," I offered.

Daryl frowned but I let him see in my eyes how tired I was. I had killed a lot tonight, and I wasn't sure how well I was functioning. I needed to get out of here.

He nodded then, seeming to understand.

I was sure Maggie and Carol were fine. They were both fully capable fighters. I would catch up with them and get a little fresh air before I had to face the group again.

I smiled at Daryl and nodded to Rick before I swung the rifle over my shoulder and jogged towards the door.

I moved through the forest silently, heading towards the place we had left Maggie and Carol. I could feel my muscles straining and tired from the night of fighting and the lack of sleep.

I stepped through the shadows. "Maggie," I called to her in greeting when I saw her standing stiffly in the shadow of a tree. She turned her eyes to me and they were wide with fear and she shook her head frantically.

I frowned, my brain too tired to understand what she was doing.

Then her mouth moved. "Run."

I drew a knife instead and threw it when I saw the man holding her, with a gun pointed at her head. My throw was off, but it caught the man in the arm holding the gun.

I drew another but then I felt something crack across the back of my head. Pain exploded through my brain and everything went black.

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Hi everyone! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! We are counting down the showdown with Negan!!!! I can't wait, I'm so excited. I really hope you have been enjoying the story thus far, I really appreciate all the support! You guys are amazing.
Please keep up the amazing comments/votes!