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Daryl

I followed behind Jo and Rick as we walked into the building. I slowed down as we came through the doors and I saw the whole place was packed full of people.

They might potentially be our allies in a fight against Negan, but they could just as easily be our enemies. And there were a lot of them. I forgot I was still holding Jo's hand until she tensed beside me. I looked down at her in surprise and realized I musta subconsciously tightened my grip on her hand. She was gazing up at me with concern in her green eyes. I had thought earlier would get her to stop worrying about me, but Jo was Jo and she was stubborn. I looked away from her and back to the room full of strangers. I estimated around a hundred and fifty. Not as many as Negan but it was close.

I stood stiffly next to Jo watching all the people within easy reach. I didn't like being surrounded by so many strangers and I liked it even less that I didn't have a weapon aside from the one knife. Jo was still armed to the teeth, though when we got dressed again she had decided to leave the thigh sheath of throwing knives behind. I didn't like it, not one bit. If I wasn't armed and able to protect her than I wanted her to have everything she could to give her the advantage in case this wack job who called himself a king decided he was done playing nice.

Jo squeezed my fingers and I looked back down at her. She offered me an encouraging smile and tugged me gently behind her towards our seats. Ezekiel had us all seated at his table at the front of the room. Everyone else from Alexandria was sitting every other with someone from The Kingdom but Jo sat right next to me, as usual doing what she wanted. She was worried about me, I knew I was tense but I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to pay attention, that I couldn't let my guard down around strangers. I normally trusted my instincts pretty well so I didn't see a reason to change it now.

The feast went about how I would have expected it to. Ezekiel put on quite the show, but there was food, and a lot of it. Despite us being at the front table it looked like the food was the same no matter which table you were at. I gave him a little credit for not being an elitist ass despite calling himself a king. It at least looked like he treated his people good.

I ran my eyes over the room, making note of where all the exits were and how close our people were. Jo shifted beside me but I was concentrating on deciding if it would be better for us to try for the exit that would take us past Ezekiel, knowing his guards would want to protect him. Or if it made more sense to go for the one behind us. It was a little further away but seemed like a better option.

I flinched when I felt something touch my hand under the table. I tried to jerk my hand back but they held on. It took me a few seconds to realize it was Jo. I blinked stupidly at her face which was studying my face, concern forming deep lines in her forehead. She ran her eyes over the room, like she was trying to see what I was seeing but she was too calm. I didn't want to distract her from this dinner. She was good with people, I needed her to focus on Ezekiel and her her brain working to figure out how we were going to get him to help us. So I just shook my head and reached for my water glass. I lifted it to my lips and frowned when I saw my hand was trembling. I quickly set the glass down and pulled my other hand away from Jo before she noticed.

Jerry, Ezekiel's assistant or something, stood at the front of the room, banging his ax handle against the floor. The room immediately silenced and Jerry smiled cheerfully at everyone. He was a big guy, he looked kinda fat but not like fat Joey, he looked strong. I was guessing he was with Ezekiel because he was a fighter. He turned and bowed his head to Ezekiel like he really believes the asshole was a king.

Ezekiel smiled to Jerry and turned his focus to the room. "My friends," he called. "We feast this night in honor of our new friends. They come from a small community much like our own."

I tensed at his words, glancing around the room once more. It felt a little like he might be signaling to his soldiers that we were small and weak. Easy prey. I didn't like it. It sounded like we weren't good allies. Beside me Jo noticed me tense again. Sometimes she was too damn observant. It had kept her alive but in a situation like this I needed her to turn her focus onto what was happening instead of worrying about me. I was fine. I cracked my neck and rolled my shoulders. Maybe I was a little more tense than normal, but I was good.

"They have come to extend the olive branch of friendship and trade. They are friends of our trusted friend Morgan," Ezekiel continued.

Ezekiel wasn't going to help us. At no point did he call us allies. He called us friends and discussed trade but nothing else. He hadn't even told his own people about The Saviors, there was no way he would rock the boat when things were working for his people. He was happy sitting on his fake throne and pretending he was at a renaissance fair. He didn't give a damn what Negan did, what he could still do. I glanced over at Jo. Negan hadn't bothers to hide his interest in her. She had no idea. I gritted my teeth and closed my hands into fists. If this asshole wasn't going to help us I was going to find another way to keep her safe from that bastard.

"Their leaders Rick and Michonne have come themselves to meet us and get to know us in turn. They have brought also their son, Carl." Ezekiel said motioning to where they sat with Carl. I narrowed my eyes at Ezekiel's words as everyone's attention turned towards our people.

"And the ladies Tara, Rosita and Sasha, are all honorable warriors,
survivors and friends of our good friend Jesus."

Jesus waved, flashing a smile to the room. He was playing the part but he looked tense.

"And Jo and Daryl Dixon," Ezekiel said motioning towards us. I tightened my jaw. I loved that Jo had taken my name. When she spoke those words it was the absolute truth. She was mine and she knew it, and she wanted me and she wanted everyone to know it. But now, sitting in this room it felt like a giant target on her back.

I didn't like it. I didn't like it one bit. While it seemed as though it was polite introductions I also felt as though Ezekiel were naming off our weaknesses for the entire room to know. Identifying who could be used against whom. Here's Rick the leader with his girl and kid. Take them and you've got control of him. Here's these women, none of them are attached to our friend from Hilltop so no worries, and here's Daryl and Jo. Put a gun to either one of their heads and the other one will freeze.

I felt like my chest was too tight. We needed to get out of here. There were other ways to do this, less risky ways without showing our hand to everyone who cared to look. I pressed my clenched fists against my thighs trying to force myself to hold still and act like everything was fine even though every instinct I had was warning me to get our people out of here.

Ezekiel clapped Rick on the back and the noise drew my attention. My eyes snapped up to the front to see Ezekiel stepped back dramatically, inviting Rick to stand and say something.

Rick climbed uncomfortably to his feet. He didn't look tense, or not for the same reasons I was. "Hello," he said nodding to the room. "On behalf of Alexandria we just wanna thank you all for the hospitality. Us survivors need to stick together." Then Rick sat down.

Ezekiel clapped and the room followed on cue, as though Rick had just made the greatest speech they all had heard. "Now," Ezekiel called. "Our new friends will be staying with us as guests, please extend the arm of brotherhood and hospitality to them. I ask that you respect their privacy, they are staying on the second floor of Benson Hall. Now, we feast." Ezekiel said gesturing to the tables.

"We feast!" Jerry called enthusiastically.

Ezekiel cast Jerry an unamused glance and beside me Jo snorted. I looked over at her out of the corner of my eye and watched as she bit back a smile. She saw me and looked back at me. The smile fell from her face and was replaced with worry. It was just me.

People started dishing up plates off of large platters of cooked and fresh fruits and veggies and venison. I stared down at the table as I forced myself to calm down. Normally I trusted my instincts but a quick glance around the table showed Rick, Michonne, Jesus, hell even Carl was relaxed and enjoying themselves. Beside me Jo dishes food onto my plate as she did her own. She skipped over things I had once not been a fan of, not realizing after time with Negan and Dwight I would eat anything.

She bumped my knee with her own and I flinched, glancing down at her. She looked up at me, and then glanced back down at my plate. I followed her gaze and nodded a thanks. I picked up my fork and dug in so I wouldn't worry her anymore. I had eaten at Hilltop but this plate of food was more than I had eaten the entire time I was with Negan but I didn't feel hungry. I didn't really taste the food in my mouth and it sat like a rock in my stomach.

As I ate I watched the room, trying to decide what was making me uneasy. I didn't see anything though, so whatever it was was going on in my head. When I looked back at Rick he was staring at Jo, also looking worried. She shrugged and looked back down at her plate.

I tightened my grip on my fork, forcing myself to act normal. But the tension I was holding felt like it was growing. Like a balloon was blowing up in my chest making it tighter and tighter and tighter. I sank my teeth into the side of my mouth and forced myself to keep eating.

As soon as dinner was over Ezekiel stood and gave another speech. By that time I felt like there was a buzzing in my ears and I couldn't take a deep breath. I had helped Jo over the year with panic attacks and this wasn't that. I was positive. I was in complete control. I was fine I just needed some fresh air.

As soon as Ezekiel dismissed everyone I was on my feet. I shoved my chair back loudly and practically ran out of the room, I needed to get away from all these people and get outside where it wasn't so hot.

I slammed the door open and turned the corner of the building so I wouldn't be right there when the whole pack of people came out. I leaned against the cool brick, hung my head and just breathed. I already felt better.

The door didn't even close behind me before I heard Jo trot out after me. She turned the corner and pulled up when she saw me. Instead of worry now I saw uncertainty and I little bit of fear in her eyes. I hated that. It made me feel like someone had just punched me in the stomach. I was fine. We were fine. It was just that stupid dinner. Everything was fine and normal before.

"Dare-" She started to say, but i snapped into motion, not caring what she was going to say. I just needed to feel her. To know she was there. I moved forward and grabbed her face with both of my hands. I was moving too fast for her, I knew I was. I always moved slow and deliberate so I wouldn't startle her. But I couldn't do that now. I kissed her hard and passionately until she relaxed into my hands and was gasping for breath. Her fingers grabbed my sides and dug in almost painfully. I wanted to feel more, I needed to feel more. I swung her around so I was pinning her between me and the brick wall and kissed her again.

It took me longer than it should to remember we were in public and in a strange place. I pulled back he rested my forehead against hers and just let myself feel her against me. She was here and in my arms. My hands were trembling as I held her but it didn't have anything to do with desire.

I gazed down at her and I could see in her face that she already knew. There was something wrong.

The others were coming out of the door, followed by the crowds of Ezekiel's people. I  tore my gaze from her face to the people coming and I tensed subconsciously. Just the thought of being surrounded by that crowd of people had my chest tightening against. But somehow, like always, Jo seemed to understand. She wound her graceful fingers through mine and pulled me away from the people. I didn't fight, instead I quietly followed her as she led me into the privacy of our room. 

"Daryl," She started to say. "What's going on?"

Now that we were alone I felt like I was more in control of myself again and I felt weak and stupid. I just shook my head, stepping over towards the window. I gazed out, not looking at her, I didn't want her to see my face. I didn't want to see her pity me. I fisted my hand and leaned against them on the window sill.

"Daryl," She said again, but I didn't look at her. She made a noise of frustration and stepped up next to me, leaning against the window frame. "Dare, talk to me."

I closed my eyes and shook his head. I didn't know where to start. I don't want to relive it. "It's nothing," i snapped. "It's nothing," i repeated as though I were working on convincing her instead of me.

"Daryl," She finally snapped, her voice rising in anger.

I turned and looked at her and I couldn't hide my emotions from her. I knew she saw how desperately terrified I was before I had to look away.

"We're safe here," She told me in a gentle voice that I both loved and hated.

I nodded roughly. "I know that," i growled. Then i realize I had snapped at her. I looked at her apologetically but there wasn't an excuse for it. Driving Jo away wouldn't help with anything. I snaked an arm out around her shoulders and pulled her against my chest. I kissed the top of her head.

"I'm fine," I promised her, my voice was slightly muffled by her hair.

She laid her cheek against my chest and hugged me back. After a moment she whispered. "You don't have to be."

"I'm fine," i said again but I wasn't fooling either one of us anymore.

But she just nodded, wrapping her arms around my waist. "I'm here," She said in a low voice. "If you want to talk about it."

I nodded and stepped back so i could see her face. I reached up, cupping both of cheeks in my palms.

"I don't want to talk." I said honestly, and then I buried my fingers into her hair and pulled her lips against mine. Talking wasn't going to help me, I just needed to feel. Jo met my passion with her own and for the second time that day I was stripping her out of her shoulder rig. Only this time we made it to the bed.

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Jo

Afterward we lay tangled together in the narrow bed. It had taken another two rounds before Daryl finally fell into an exhausted asleep. Something was wrong. While we had been it dinner he had seemed almost hyper focused on everything around us. When I had touched him outside the dining hall his pulse had been racing. It was only when we were alone that he seemed to calm.

He hadn't been asleep long before he started mumbling and jerking away. I reached out, touching him lightly. "Dare," I whispered trying not to wake him fully, but just enough to disrupt the nightmare.

He mumbled once more and rolled into me, pulling me against his chest. I lay awake for a while, just listening to him breathe beside me. Whatever had happened to him, I didn't think he would be ready to talk about it any time soon. All I could do was be there for him, in whatever way he would let me. I knew from experience that hyper-focusing was a symptom of PTSD, but it had seemed more like Daryl was internalizing some kind of panic attack. Leave it to Daryl Dixon to think he could will away a panic attack. I would do whatever I could to help Daryl get through this. Whatever Negan had done, he was going to pay dearly for it.

I woke, half asleep and rolled over, intending to throw an arm over Daryl's chest. I startled the rest of the way awake when my hand touched cool, empty sheets. It was amazing the absence of him woke me so completely when I had been sleeping without him for the last few weeks. But even my subconscious knew he should have been there. I sat up, clutching the sheet to my bare chest. I glanced around the dark room, immediately noting all of Daryl's stuff was missing along with him. I swung my legs out of bed and quickly got dressed. I was doing up the last of the straps on my shoulder rig when I stepped out the door. Something had gotten Daryl out of bed. It was unlike him to leave and not tell me.

All the other doors of our groups rooms were closed and I could hear quiet snoring coming from a few of them. I moved quick and quiet down the stairs and out into the main yard. I looked up at the moon, noting it was late, probably nearing midnight. I glanced around, but The Kingdom was quiet. I didn't even know where to start, we hadn't been given a full tour. I had no idea why he would leave, much less where he would go in this strange place.

I walked amid the gardens looking for any sign of him, but each one seemed less likely than the one previous. I was no tracker, I wasn't good at looking for people, and if Daryl left because he wanted to be alone, it was unlikely I would find him.

Footsteps sounded behind me and I whirled, hoping it was Daryl.

"Ah, the Lady Jo," Ezekiel greeted.

I turned to face him, frowning. It was rare someone could sneak up on me. I hesitated, especially someone with a tiger strolling at his side. Risking insulting the king, I turned my focus instead to the animal. She was watching me with her lovely, unblinking yellow eyes. I had studied North American predators, but never ones from other countries. The tiger licked her lips and took half a step towards me. Exekiel tightened his grip on the chain in his hands, which probably wasn't a good sign.

I didn't back away. I lowered my head and glared out the top of my eyes at her. You didn't back down from mountain lions, you acted like you were the bigger predator I only hoped it was the same with all big cats. I widened across my shoulders and stared her down. She cocked her head to the side, regarding me for a moment before she sat back on her haunches and looked up at Ezekiel.

Ezekiel chuckled and ruffled the fur on the tiger's neck. "Shiva respects you," he said looking at me curiously. I realized then of course in my rush to get out and find Daryl I wasn't wearing my jacket to cover the arsenal I wore. Ezekiel's eyes traveled over me, but it was in a very efficient, unaffected way.

I relaxed as soon as Shiva had. Once Ezekiel pet her she stood and approached me slowly, her posture relaxed. She pushed her head aggressively against my hand.

"Richard and Morgan both told me you were a warrior, but I did not believe them Lady Jo," Ezekiel said conversationally as he watched Shiva and I.

I snorted and shook my head over his archaic use of language. He sounded like he was in a shakespeare play.

"I assure you, I am neither a warrior or a lady," I said with a smirk.

"I beg to differ," Ezekiel responded lightly.

I didn't know what to say to that, so I focused my attention on Shiva. I moved slowly, sinking my hand into her thick, silky fur. She rubbed against my hand and made a contented sounding noise in the back of her throat.

"Morgan tells me you were also a scholar," Ezekiel continued. Every time he spoke it was as though he were on stage performing.

I frowned at his words, not liking Morgan spilling my secrets to someone I didn't know. Someone who could just as easily become and enemy as he could become a friend.

Ezekiel saw my face and cleared his throat. "I apologize my lady, for displeasing you. I assure you, I have not shared Morgan's confidence with anyone else."

I arched a brow, thinking about his soldiers. If he hadn't told them I was a fighter than he was a fool. Ezekiel seemed to understand my train of thought because he flashed me a brilliant smile. "That is not to say Richard has not shared all he has observed with both me and his men I have no doubt. Morgan also told me you are the companion of Daryl."

I nodded subtly, not seeing a reason to lie about it. I had been introduced to him as Jo Dixon, so he was either going to assume I was Daryl's wife or his sister and I didn't want to even consider the later.

I was also curious why in Ezekiel's archaic speech patterns females seemed worthy of titles but males were not.

Ezekiel looked around. "Is that why you are out here?" he asked. "You seek him?"

"Yes," I responded cautiously. I didn't want him to know anything that might be going on with Daryl. It wasn't his business.

"He is on the wall," Ezekiel said motioning to a section of wall near the main gate. "Keeping watch."

I nodded and found my attention wasn't focused on Ezekiel or the tiger anymore. I wanted to get over to Daryl and make sure he was alright.

"You fight for him, yes?" Ezekiel asked. "For what was done to him? Vengeance is never the right path Lady Jo. It only leads to more pain."

His words grated on me. This wasn't a game, this was our lives, and if he didn't drop the act and take this seriously he might not like which side of my blades he ended up on.

"This has nothing to do with vengeance. No one should have to live in fear. There are enough things to fear in this world without having a human monster add to them." I tore my eyes away from the direction Ezekiel had pointed. 

Ezekiel regarded me for a few long moments in silence and I realized then I had just blown my chance to convince him to help us. I was distracted by Daryl and had completely missed the opportunity to say something profound to Ezekiel when I had his whole focus on me instead of playing court over his people. Ezekiel didn't look upset however, instead he looked thoughtful and maybe just a little impressed. "I hope, Lady Jo, that Daryl is worthy of you."

I met Ezekiel's gaze unflinching. "He is," I replied firmly.

Ezekiel nodded. "If you are ever in need Lady Jo, know you have a safe haven here, among my people."

"I don't kneel," I responded without thinking. In some ways Ezekiel proclaiming himself to be king was not that much different than Negan.

Ezekiel chuckled. "Neither do I. I take your leave." And Ezekiel and his tiger strolled off into the darkness.

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Hi guys! I hope you enjoy the update!!!