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On a wing and a prayer

Happy

Willow tried to busy herself, knowing her grandfather would be full of questions when he made his way back to the trailer. Cleaning the kitchen counters she heard the door open and close softly and turned to see him standing there.

"Hey grandpa" she said nonchalantly turning back to her cleaning.

Joe stared at his granddaughter trying to figure out what she was up to.

"Why did you leave Daryl Dixon alone in my bar?"

Willow whipped around staring at him

"Are you kidding me?" she asked exasperated

Joe just stared at her.

"I believe you were the one to tell me that as soon as I see one of them, I'm supposed to leave immediately...so that's what I did." Willow said narrowing her eyes at him.

"Well I didn't mean leave the bar completely unmanned" he grumped "It's a good thing Daryl is an honest man, any other guy around here would have robbed us blind. Next time if you're the only one around, stay...just stay in the back and away from him.'

Willow sighed completely aggravated but nodded. What was it with men today and pushing her buttons? First Daryl and now her grandfather.

"Alright, finish up there and meet me in the bar. We need to set up for tonight...I'm expecting a good size crowd. A bunch of the guys from the meeting are planning on coming out, plus it looks like the Dixon boys will be sticking around for some time and I'm sure they'll be in with their crowd as well"

Willow's heart quickened with the mention of the Dixon boys and she felt her cheeks burning with renewed embarrassment. Hoping her grandfather wouldn't see her blush, she couldn't help to think what Daryl had said about seeing her naked. Of all the rotten luck, she thought. The one guy that she could not have anything to do with, for good reason, was the one that caught her literally with her pants down and knew who she really was. She had no doubt Mr. Dixon would use this information someday to his advantage...she just didn't know how or when and until that day she would be on pins and needles.

Leaving the trailer and heading to the bar, Willow helped her grandpa set up the bottles of liquor and glasses hoping it wouldn't be as busy as he thought. If he was indeed that busy then she would have to help bartend and that was never fun, plus she hadn't found a longer t-shirt and Daryl's comment about her rump made her uneasy worrying someone else might notice. Seeing a flannel shirt hanging from a nail in the back, she got an idea. Tying the sleeves around her waist letting the majority of the shirt hang behind her covering her backside. Not only did she look more boyish this way, her fine ass as Daryl put it, was covered.

Willow's grandpa had been right, the place was packed. Willow watched as her grandpa's friend Harlin worked the door and took in the donations that were piling up quite nicely. She saw a lot of food, cans of gas, batteries, medicine and other odds and ends. This haul would certainly put grandpa in a good mood the next few days, she thought.

Willow began to relax a bit, serving the crowd while they laughed and carried on with some even dancing to the classic rock music that blared through a big boom box someone had brought. Nobody really paid much attention to her and that made her happy, plus Daryl and his brother hadn't shown their faces which made for a pretty good night. Washing some more glasses, trying to keep up with the customer demands, Willow's heart sank hearing Merle's unmistakable laugh. Keeping her eyes downcast Willow wasn't quite sure what to do. She knew her grandpa couldn't handle this crowd on his own so she decided to move to the opposite end of the bar from where they stood. Glancing at her grandfather, he gave her a nod and Willow was relieved she finally had done something right in his eyes.

Willow continued to pour shots and fill beer glasses and at first didn't realize who was standing in front of her until she heard his voice.

"Can I get two snakebites and a beer please?" Willow heard his soft but gruff voice say.

Glancing up into his electric blue eyes, Willow quickly looked away grabbing the bottle of Yukon Jack and lime juice, pouring the shot glasses full then pulling the tab for his beer. As she began to walk away she heard him say

"That one's for you"

Willow looked at him as he nodded towards the glass. He was smiling with his eyes and daring her and she knew it. Glancing at her grandfather who had his back to her talking with one of his buddies, Willow looked him in the eye, slammed back the shot and placed the glass inside the other and threw them in the soapy water. As she walked away, she heard Daryl softly chuckle.
Damn him, she thought. That had been really stupid of her, what if her grandfather had seen? He would have known something was up instantly. She didn't know why she couldn't refuse his challenge, he was drunk and baiting her on purpose believing she wouldn't have the nerve. He's such an ass, she thought and took a swig of water trying to get the foul taste of whiskey out of her mouth.

Willow went back to pouring drinks and cleaning glasses for awhile until she looked up and saw him slip into a bar stool in front of her again. Sipping on his beer, he stared at her.

"Daryl...you need to stop. Just go back on the other side of the bar" she whispered.

Daryl took another drink and set his glass down.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I'm just sitting her drinking my beer" he said quietly.

Willow glared at him.

"I'm serious!" She hissed glancing at her grandfather who thankfully was helping Harlin take some of the door booty in the back. "Last thing I need is you drunk sitting here mooning over me"

Daryl raised his eyebrows

"Mooning over you? Someone thinks pretty highly of herself" Daryl snapped

She hadn't meant for it to come out like that, she was just desperate for him to leave and not blow her cover. Willow watched as a young blonde girl walked up and slid her arm around Daryl's neck.

"Hey handsome" she giggled in his ear "You look kind of lonely over here Daryl, I think I just might need to keep you company"

Willow and Daryl's eyes clashed right before he slipped his tongue down the blonde girl's throat and began making out right in front of her. Rolling her eyes, she turned her back on the kissing idiot and began helping people at the opposite side of the bar. She really didn't like him and didn't like the feeling she had when she saw him kiss that skank. It took everything she had not to jump over the bar and pull the bitches hair out by the root.

Willow began to breathe a little easier, watching the crowd thin out as people wandered back out through the doors heading for home. She was glad it was almost over especially after she saw Daryl slow dancing with the blonde girl resting his hands on her butt while he stared straight at her. Trying to ignore him, Willow kept clearing the bar and washing glasses and was so engrossed in her work she about jumped out of her skin as she heard her grandfather's voice behind her.

"You did good tonight Will...thanks for helping" he said softly

Willow nodded, kind of touched by the sentiment.

"Why don't you go ahead and head on out of here...I'm sure you're pretty tired by now" he continued.

Willow nodded, grateful to be getting out of there and whispered "Thanks"

Walking to the back room, Willow untied the flannel and hung it back on the nail. Taking a deep breath she leaned up against the table doing everything she could not to cry. Why in the hell was she feeling so sad right now? She knew why but refused to acknowledge it. Finally collecting herself, she slipped out the back door and headed for the trailer. Walking slowly in the moonlight she was stunned when she heard a loud whisper.

"Willow...wait"

You've got to be kidding me she groaned.

"Get out of here Daryl!" She whispered fiercely "You are seriously going to ruin everything for me!"

Willow watched as he stepped out of the shadows.

"I just wanted to give you something I found" he said softly holding a small paper bag.

She didn't care what he had, she just wanted him to leave. She was so tired and just wanted this night to be over with.

"Here" he said quietly holding out the bag

Willow stared at it for a moment then sighed and took it. Looking inside, her breath caught and she looked up at him wide eyes.

"How did you...where did you find these?" She whispered pulling out the box of charcoal drawing pencils.

Daryl shrugged slightly

"I was nosey and looked in your book and saw some of the drawings you did. I saw all you had to draw with was some soft shale so I went into town because I knew there used to be an art store there. I wasn't sure what you would like or want, but I saw those and thought you might be able to use them"

Willow stared at the pencils she had been longing for what seemed like forever.

"Thank you" she whispered looking into his moonlit eyes.

Daryl took a step towards her and Willow felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest as he gently took her cap off letting her hair tumble around her shoulders. Sliding his fingers through the silky strands, he leaned down pulling her face closer to his. Willow could feel his warm breath as his lips were so close to hers but was suddenly stopped by a violent shove to his chest.

"Seriously Daryl?" She hissed "Do you really think I'm going to kiss you after you already had your tongue halfway down some slut's throat and your hands all over her ass? Thanks but no thanks" she fumed shoving the bag with the pencils back into his hands, storming off towards the trailer.

Daryl stared at the bag and seriously considered chucking it as hard as he could into the woods but he stopped short of that, staring at the dimly lit trailer. Putting the small bag back into his pocket he sighed.

"Women" he muttered and headed for his bike.

Willow lay on her bed, wiping the tears away that slid down her temples. She didn't know if she was crying from frustration or sadness or because she REALLY wanted those pencils. But how could he have the audacity to try and kiss her after he had just made out with someone else right in front of her! Moron, she thought but then suddenly heard the trailer door open and close softly. Turning on her side faking sleep, she heard her grandfather stop at her room checking on her and then wander off to his own.

Willow sighed and closed her eyes. She was so tired but thanks to Daryl she couldn't stop thinking about how he had looked at her right before he had tried to kiss her. This was going to be one long night she thought, punching her pillow.

Daryl sat on the flat rock tossing pebbles into the flat lake water watching the small ripples disturb the smooth surface. He knew she wouldn't be here, at least not yet since the sun had just barely come up like a big bald head. She had been right, he had acted like an idiot and didn't blame her for pushing him away, but he never would have made out with Tonya in the first place if she hadn't made that ridiculous comment about him being smitten with her. He hadn't been "mooning" over her, he had been drunk and looking to have some fun. Granted it had been a really bad idea to decide she was the one he wanted to have fun with but she hadn't helped matters by rebelling against her grandpa sneaking the shot. She's good looking with a killer body, plus throw in a little rebel streak? That was right up drunk Daryl's alley.

He really didn't think she would drink the shot, he had been more or less just teasing her but when she did, that made things so much more interesting for him. What else would she be willing to do to defy the man that made her dress like a teenage boy? He had almost laughed seeing the flannel tied around her waist which really did make her look like some skater punk. But it did its job and sadly covered her rear while making her look even more like a boy. She still couldn't hide that pretty face though and he was lucky Merle had been completely distracted by his new drug score or he would have known she was a woman just by looking at her and then a drunk him.

Daryl sighed and looked at the paper bag sitting next to him...he should just throw it in the lake and be done with her. Picking it up he walked over to where she kept her drawing book hidden between two rocks. Moving over the second book filled with blank paper he had planned on telling her about after he got his thank you kiss, he pushed the bag gently between them making sure they were all still hidden. Grabbing his crossbow, Daryl headed back through the woods to finally do what he had planned on doing two days ago.

Willow stacked the last chair on top of the table and began to push the broom around clearing last nights mess. She and her grandfather worked quietly until the bar was close to being back in order. Trying to lug the trash bag out the front door, Willow was almost knocked over as Daryl barreled through them.

"Watch it!" She yelled, not realizing it was him until it was too late.

They both stared at each other for a moment until he finally asked

"Your grandpa around?"

Willow dropped her gaze and motioned her thumb towards the back room behind the bar. Grabbing her trash bag again she was surprised as the bag was lifted from her fingers as she watched Daryl carry it out the front door. Walking back in and past her without so much a look she watched as he began calling for her grandpa. She couldn't help it as her heart raced wondering what he was up to.

"Hey Joe, you back there?" Daryl yelled.

Willows grandpa came from out of the back room wiping his hands on a cloth

"Hey there Daryl, what can I do ya for?" He asked smiling at him.

Willow began mopping the floor trying her best to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I just tagged a buck and a wild boar and got 'em strung up and draining but I don't have a truck to take them back to my place so I can butcher them. I saw your old truck out back, that thing still run?"

Joe shook his head

"I wish it did Daryl, I hate having to pay Jerry an entire can of gas every time I need to use his.
Thing hasn't started in months"

"Mind if I take a look at it?" Daryl asked

Joe shrugged his shoulders

"Be my guest son, you get that old rattle trap runnin' and I'm gonna owe you one hell of a dinner, a bag of food and maybe a bottle of something"

Daryl grinned at him

"Na, you won't owe me a thing, you gave me plenty of dinners as a kid..I probably owe you more than just a fixed truck...no promises but lemme have a look"

Willow kept her head down continuing to mop as Daryl breezed past her purposely walking through with his dirty boots, the section she had just mopped. Fighting the urge to dump her bucket of dirty mop water over his head, Willow re-mopped the area and moved to the next wondering what Daryl had meant by her grandfather giving him plenty of meals as a kid.
Finally done mopping, Willow began taking the chairs down off the tables, sliding them underneath and then wiping the table tops again with a fresh soapy rag. Hearing Daryl come back through the door she listened as he called for her grandfather again.

"Hey Joe" he yelled "I think I know what's wrong...bad starter...I'm going to run to Nick's junkyard to see if I can find another that will work on your old Chevy. I'll be back in a bit"

"Alright Daryl" her grandfather yelled from the back.

Willow watched him walk through the bar but dropped her gaze as he looked at her. Hearing the sound of his boots stop, she glanced up locking eyes with him. She could tell he wanted to say something to her but obviously decided against it as she watched his angel wings head back out the door. Sighing she began wiping again completely lost in thought wondering what it was that he had been thinking about saying to her. He wasn't exactly the type to apologize so she doubted that was it. Finishing the last table, Willow began polishing the wood on the bar as her grandpa dried the glasses until they shined.

Being about almost done, she looked up as Daryl strode back through the door.

"Hey Joe...feel like going for a ride?" He grinned

Willow couldn't fight a smile as she heard him give a whoop and head out the door. Looking at Daryl she was a bit startled as he gave her a wink and followed her grandpa out the door. After a few minutes they came back in laughing while her grandpa began grabbing the last of the trash bags as Daryl helped him still talking.

"I'll give her an oil change and check the brakes here in a few days and make sure she stays running for you" Daryl smiled.

"I owe you Daryl, and I'm not taking no for an answer. I got a few steaks in the freezer, I'll pull them out to thaw and we'll put them on the old barbecue tonight for dinner. Will, would you pull those steaks out ?" He asked her "Daryl and I are gonna make a trip to the dump with all this trash. I think we're just about done here so go ahead and pull out those steaks and get some rest"

Willow nodded watching them take the last of the trash out, pitching it in the back of the truck. Pulling three steaks out, her stomach felt a little woozy with nerves knowing she would be having dinner with him. Flipping the lock on the front doors, Willow headed out the back and through the woods to her favorite place. Reaching between the rocks, she was surprised as her hand touched something foreign. Looking between the rocks she was stunned to see the small paper bag wedged between two sketch pads...her old one and a brand new one. Pulling out the bag and seeing the pencils inside, she smiled softly. She had figured he had thrown these away after she had given them back. Not only did he not throw them away, he had also gotten her a new sketch pad. She was well aware she had really needed a new one seeing how her old one was almost full, but for him to notice she could use one?...it really touched her. Willow sat back and stared at everything trying not to look like such a sap with tears in her eyes. She was so happy right now...happier than she had been since everything ended.

She knew it wasn't a good idea and she shouldn't even think about it, but she couldn't wait to see him tonight. She knew it would be flirting with disaster wanting to give him a hug especially if her grandpa caught her, but she had to let him know just how much his act of kindness had meant to her. She had broken so many rules when it came to him already, honestly what was one more?

Notes

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