Okay! It's question time, y'all! I'm not saying I'm gonna do it... But, I'm also not saying that I won't do it... And, if I did do it, it wouldn't be until after the Sweet and Salty series is over, ya get me? But, would anyone be interested in a WLW Michonne X OC story? Because Michonne is so mother and people sleep on her too much, and I have this idea that idk if I'll do, but if I did... Would anyone be actually interested or would I be talking to a wall?

Brooks sat on the cold, hard ground of her room reading a book on seahorses. She'd grabbed it along with a romance novel that was on her desk, she wouldn't read it, but she used that book to disguise the one she actually wanted to read. Most people would've died of boredom before they got to the end of the first page, but Brooks was six chapters in and smiling so brightly her cheeks had gone numb. For Brooks, reading always made everything about life feel so much better. High expectations for a book on seahorses, but learning the male carry their young was so much better than any social event.

There was suddenly a knock at her door, which made her groan in frustration and throw her head back. "Yea?" Brooks called out, huffing in annoyance.

The door opened and it revealed Daryl. "Whatcha doin'?" He asked, shutting the door behind him as he approached.

"Bakin' a cake." Brooks responded sarcastically, with a smile just as sarcastic. 

He chuckled, sitting on her bed, facing her. "Put the book down a minute, Brookie, I wanna talk to you." She did as he said, taking off her glasses to mark her page, before she looked up at him expectedly. He swallowed thickly, and linked his fingers together. "I got a job."

"First time for everythin'." Brooks acknowledged.

Daryl scoffed. "I had a job before the fall..." He trailed off, thinking about it. "Okay, it wasn't useful to society, but I had a job!"

"Sittin' 'round drinkin' beers 'n' doin' drugs, scroungin' money off your mechanic friend, who lowkey launders money, is not a job." Brooks deadpanned.

Rolling his eyes, Daryl threw his hands up slightly. "Whatever, not what I came 'ere to talk 'bout."

"Then talk, man, I got a book to read." Brooks complained, crossing her arms over her chest.

Daryl ran a hand through his hair, before he continued. "I... I'm goin' out with Aaron. Recruitin' people, to come back 'ere." Daryl said, watching as Brooks shifted uncomfortably and sat up straighter. "I don't belong in 'ere. I belong out there, and so I'm gonna go help Aaron. Eric's out cause of 'is ankle, he can't do it by 'imself, and I'm good out there."

"Can I come?" Brooks suddenly asked, taking Daryl by surprise.

His eyebrows furrowed in shock. "What? You hated living out there, you were exhausted constantly, 'n' scared, always lookin' over your shoulder. Your smiles wasn't foolin' me, sweetheart."

"I know, but there's so many people in 'ere, Daryl. I'm not used to this type of livin', the big houses, the parties, the crowds. I'd rather be out there, please! It'd be a break."

Daryl shook his head, scoffing his answer. "Nah, ain't happenin'. You're just a little girl-"

"God, would you stop sayin' that!" Brooks shouted, raising to her feet. "I ain't no little girl!"

Daryl squeezed his hands tighter, doing his best not to shout at her. "You ain't comin', it ain't safe. You're safe in 'ere."

"But, I'm miserable in 'ere!"

"No, you ain't! In 'ere is the first time I've actually seen a real smile on your face! For the first time in over a year, you're actually laughin', 'n' you're actually smilin'! I ain't takin' that away!"

Brooks groaned. "I know that I get happy moments in 'ere with, but it's hard to smile at everyone all the time. It's hard to look for the silver linin' to everythin' like I have been doin' for the past year. I hate that I have to be the person that's always givin' a hundred percent, otherwise everyone's gonna hate me all over again. I miss bein' me, I just need a little break, please!"

She needed a break from seeing Mickey.

Daryl licked his lips, before speaking. "You used to be real good at lookin' for the silver linin', before the fall. And, shit weren't too good for ya then, either."

"It was look for the silver linin', or fall apart, Daryl." Brooks stated. "It's like that again, don't you see it? You hear the things people say 'bout me, cause I do. I know the way they feel 'bout me if I'm ever not the one sacrificin' everythin' for everyone!"

Standing up, Daryl spoke. "Nobody's ever hated you."

She couldn't help but laugh humourlessly. "Jesus, how are you so naive?"

Daryl scoffed, scrambling. "They- they have their strong opinions 'bout some things you do 'n' say, but they've never been uncalled for."

Brooks bit down on her bottom lip, and nodded. "Woah, okay, so the night I ran away when Carol said she wished Shane had killed me? That wasn't uncalled for?"

Swallowing thickly, Daryl tried. "She didn't mean-"

"Or- or when Glenn blamed me for Cam's alcoholism, that was just normal?"

"Okay, that-"

"How 'bout when Carl said I deserved the beatin' that I got from Will? What about three weeks after I turned six years old and you told me that you hated me for ever bein' born?"

Daryl crossed his arms over his chest defensively. "I was super drunk, and mad at dad, there- that- I-"

"There's no fuckin' excuse, Daryl, I was six."

"Watch your language." He scolded, finding a way to get the light of blame off of him.

Licking her lips, and scoffing. "I ain't still mad at 'em individually, but I know 'em. I know you. I know what I need to do to survive in this group, and that's fine, I've come to terms with it... But, let me have a break, let me come with you."

Shaking his head, Daryl ran his hand through his long, greasy, black hair. "I can't, Brookie."

Tears burned the back of her eyes as she nodded. "Gotcha."

"But, I'll be back-"

"I don't care, Daryl, just get out. Please."

"Brooks-"

"Daryl." She interrupted again, looking away from him as her arms crossed over her chest. "Out, please."

Clenching his jaw, and nodding his head, Daryl left the room. Brooks knew she wasn't miserable in Alexandria, but she was exhausted from the year long game of charade that she'd been playing. She hadn't really been herself for over a year, because she always had to be on guard to protect people who wouldn't do the same for her. Not once was she allowed to show how badly the world was getting to her, how awful her trauma was whenever it flashed in her mind. She wanted to scream and cry every day on the road, because it was painful. Being out there was painful, but she needed to get out there again, so she could get a break from the people who unintentionally hurt her so badly.

And so, Brooks decided that this time? She wouldn't take no for an answer.

/----------\

She left a note on her bed, just to ensure she didn't start a community wide search party... Thinking about it though, Brooks knew nobody would actually care that badly. Either way, she wrote her note.

Dear, whoever came to check on me

I'm with Daryl and Aaron... They don't totally know that yet, but I promise I'm safe and with them... As long as Daryl hasn't killed me and dragged my ass back to Alexandria, that is. I'll be fine, see you in a couple days or weeks. I'll be safe.

All my love, and best wishes, Brooks Dixon :) xx

She watched as Daryl filled up the tank in his motorcycle, and Aaron was looking over a map with him. Both men had their backs to her as they parked beside the gate. Nobody was around to wave them off, because everybody seemed to be busy this morning. Nicholas on gate duty seemed to be looking into the distance and fixing his hair, so all Brooks had to do was jump in the back of Aaron's car and cover herself with the blanket he had back there.

/----------\

The drive was a couple hours long, but it finally tugged to a stop. Aaron had a Lady Gaga CD that he played the whole way there, sang along to it, too. Brooks had to put her hand over her mouth not to sing with him... But, also not to laugh at his out of tune vocals, though, he was trying his best!

Finally, though, the car pulled to a stop, and Brooks heard Daryl's motorbike's loud and aggressive engine stop, too. Brooks wished she had been there to see the look on Daryl's face when he realised that Aaron and Eric had an old motorbike he could use. She knew her uncle would've been ecstatic, because motorbikes seem to be the only objects that he loves in this world.

"'ere'll do." She heard Daryl's voice through Aaron's open car door.

"Alright, we best get going." Aaron agreed, grabbing his backpack from the passenger seat.

Now that it was actually time to reveal herself, Brooks got too scared. She knew Daryl was going to yell at her, and although she'd considered that before she left, now that it was actually here... It seemed intimidating. She didn't want to be yelled at, she changed her mind... But, it was too late, she'd have to own up to it... Eventually.

She let them walk away, before she actually got out of the car that Aaron didn't bother to lock. Brooks took a deep breath, before slowly following them into the forest. She couldn't hear them, but she knew the direction that they were walking in, and could easily track Aaron. Daryl seemed to be walking in a way that was harder to follow his footsteps, like it was just habit from the old days, but Aaron's was easy.

Brooks' head was downcast, her right hand tightly gripping her knife, her left hand tightly gripping her gun as she headed further and further into the bushy forest. The trees were thick, riddled with falling bark, moss, and green leaves that blossomed in spring. The bushes were full too, squirrels, bunnies and all sorts making their home in them.

She seemed to be taking in the nature too much, because she realised that she'd lost Aaron's footsteps on the muddy ground. "What the..." Brooks muttered under her breath, turning around to come eye level with Daryl's crossbow. "Oh, hey." She smiled, her voice coming out in a shake. "I'm just gonna..." Her voice trailed off as she grabbed the end of Daryl's crossbow and pointed it down, before he dropped it downwards completley and shoved a finger in her chest, a nervous Aaron behind him.

"You fuckin' idiot!" He yelled, his voice loud and angry.

"The 'this is your consciousness' excuse won't work this time, will it?" Brooks tried, wincing a little at his volume and proximity.

Daryl scoffed. "Didn't work last time! What the hell are you doin' out 'ere?" His voice never left his raised and pissed off tone.

Brooks nodded. "Okay, you're pissed. This isn't what it looks like, let me explain-" She stopped, watching their expecting faces and as Daryl dropped down his accusing finger. Brooks pursed her lips together, and inhaled deeply. "Nope, my excuse bank is empty, this is in fact, exactly what it looks like."

"Fuck sake!" Daryl let out, making Brooks flinch and take a step back.

Aaron didn't catch the subtle movement, but Daryl did. His head bowed, and he ran a hand down his face in frustration. "I'm sorry." She whispered, but Daryl shook his head, and he turned back to Aaron.

"Come on, we gotta drive 'er home." He stated.

"No!" Brooks let out, anger in her tone. Both Aaron and Daryl looked to her in surprise. "Look, Daryl, I have just as much experience out 'ere as you do, Aaron, I have more than you! I know that I'm fourteen, but I can kill walkers, and people if it comes to it... And- and, if you come across women without men, they're much more likely to come with you, if I'm 'ere too. Please, I can be helpful."

Daryl's eyes widened slightly, before he raised his crossbow. "Duck." She did as he said, and he shot the arrow. Standing up straight and turning around, she spotted a dead walker behind her. "Can kill walkers, aye?"

"I can!" She complained. "That was just a really shitty timed walker." Brooks took a step closer to Daryl and raised her hands, she grabbed the leather on his vest and squeezed it in her fists as she looked up to him desperately, giving him the biggest puppy dog eyes she could muster. "Please, Daryl. I left a note, they know I'm with you, and that I'm safe. Please, even if it's just this one time."

Daryl wet his lips, and clenched his jaw, before he looked back to Aaron. As if he was asking what he thought about the situation. Aaron simply shrugged, briefly looking at Brooks, before back to Daryl. "It's up to you what we do, she's your niece." 

The Dixon man looked down for a moment, despite it being four years since the truth, her being his niece and not his baby sister will never be normal. Despite what blood said, he loved her as if she was his own daughter, and nothing would change that. He grunted, but looked back to her big, brown eyes. "Fine, you can stay."

"Yay!" She squealed, releasing his vest and pulling him in for a tight hug, her arms around his torso squeezing. Daryl's left arm stayed limp, holding his crossbow, but his right patted the back of her head. Since nobody could see his face, he didn't bother hiding his raising lips. "You won't regret this." She whispered, looking up so quickly he didn't have time to hide his smile. She grinned, before going on her tip toes and kissing his cheek. "Come on, we best get goin'." Brooks announced, grinning to Aaron before turning on her toes and leading the way.

In a weird way, Daryl managed to see the positive to the situation. He was looking forward to spending some time with Brooks. Even though they'd spent every single day of the past year together, he still missed their quality time. Like her first three years of life where he raised her every single day, and was basically a stay at home dad... All just to find out it was Merle's daughter he was raising.