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On a wing and a prayer

The dance

Willow sliced cucumbers and tomatoes then sliced the ends off the green onions while her grandpa flipped the steaks. She knew Daryl was watching her and part of her liked it but a bigger part knew it was a really bad idea liking it, especially around her grandfather.

"You need another beer there Daryl?" Her grandpa called

"Na, I'm good" Daryl said raising his glass.

Willow walked back into the trailer turning down the flame on the green beans and potatoes and pulled the cornbread out of the oven. It had been so long since she had a meal like this, it almost felt like a holiday. She never thought she'd say it but thank goodness for Daryl Dixon, she thought.

"Steaks are ready" she heard her grandpa yell as she turned off the stove, dumping the cooking vegetables into a large bowl. Taking the steaming vegetables and warm cornbread, both men looked like they were in heaven as the aroma wafted over them.

"Man...you guys really didn't need to do all this" Daryl said.

"Eat up son" her grandfather said "I'm going to enjoy this just as much as you" he grinned.

They were quiet for awhile as everyone began eating their dinner until her grandfather spoke again.

"I think I might take the truck tomorrow to Lucky's over in Peachtree. He said he had a jukebox he'd give me only he's not sure it still works."

Daryl looked at him

"Go ahead and get it. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll take a look at it. It would be kind of nice having one in the bar."

Joe nodded

"It would indeed. Hey Daryl, I was thinking about that pig you got today. They usually don't freeze well uncooked. What if we threw it on a spit and had a pig roast? Will has a birthday coming up in a few days...maybe we could have like some sort of party?"

Willow stared at her grandfather in shock. How did he know that? She couldn't remember ever getting a birthday card from him her entire life.

"Sure, that sounds great" Daryl said grinning and continued "So Will, how old you gonna be? I"m guessing an old man of 16?"

Willow glared at him as he tried to cover a laugh. Willow's grandpa stood up to grab another beer and looked at them with a strange look on his face

"You two are funny..." he said disappearing inside the bar.

Daryl and Willow stared at each other. What in the hell was that supposed to mean? Finally getting her chance to thank him, Willow stood up and leaned over the table putting her arms around Daryl's neck and squeezed softly. Sitting back down she could feel her cheeks turn pink as he stared at her.

"What was that for?" he asked softly

"Thank you" she whispered "I found the pencils and sketch book"

Daryl nodded whispering

"You're welcome"

They both sat in awkward silence, both wanting to say so much but couldn't knowing her grandfather would be back at any moment. Hearing the door open, they both watched as her grandfather walked out with a grim look on his face. What had happened? Willow wondered but stopped wondering when she saw who was following him.

"Evening folks...and my baby brother...I was about to ask where's mine but it seems my invite was lost in the mail" Merle smiled wickedly.

"Hey Bro" Daryl said softly "I"m pretty full, you can have the rest" he said pushing his plate towards Merle

"I aint interested in your scraps dummy" Merle spat. "If I aint good enough to eat with y'all then that's fine...but don't offer me no sloppy seconds off yer plate little brother"

Willow watched as Daryl's gaze dropped to the table and could see a million thoughts running through his head.

"So Joe, this is your grandson? Looks awful feminine to me...whadda say boy? You like the ole hot beef injection?" Merle laughed

Willow was horrified and didn't dare look up from the table. If her reaction didn't give her away, her pink cheeks would.

"Leave him alone Merle" Daryl said in low and gruff voice "He's just a kid."

"Right... right" Merle said quietly "No offense of course" he smiled "Alright little brother, let's go...c'mon. We got places to be and people to see. Let's get a move on." Merle said staring at Daryl.

Daryl and Willow's eyes met as he stood up from the table. She could see so much in his eyes but didn't know what any of it meant.

"Thanks y'all" Daryl said quietly "Have a good night."

Willow looked at her grandfather, wishing he would put a stop to this.

"Any time Daryl and thanks again for your help" her grandfather said quietly.

Willow watched as Daryl and his brother walked back through the back door followed by her grandfather. She hated everything that just happened and she hated Merle. Watching her grandfather come back through the door, she stood up and started clearing the plates.

"Willow" he said softly "I hope you understand now"

Willow looked at him confused.

"Understand?" she asked

Her grandfather looked at her and sighed

"Understand why you have to stay away from Daryl. On his own he's a pretty good guy but Daryl will always choose Merle. Always. You get your hopes up with him and you're just setting yourself up for heart break."

Willow stared at the ground.

"I don't know what you're talking about grandpa" she said softly "Daryl and me...there's nothing. He thinks I"m a 16 year old boy and I'll never tell him any different" she lied.

Willow's grandfather stared at her for awhile

"Right" he said "Alright, I'm going to go set up. I doubt it will be that busy tonight...you can come in and keep me company or hang out in the trailer...up to you"

Willow nodded taking the plates inside their trailer trying to get her hands to stop shaking. Why would he say all that if he didn't know something was up with them. Actually nothing was up with them, he had got her some pencils and tried to kiss her once but other then that there hadn't been much. I seriously don't get what he's saying...I don't feel anything for Daryl Dixon, she thought...but knew that too was a lie just as soon and she thought it.

Finishing the dishes, Willow thought about staying in the trailer for the night but wanted to see if maybe Daryl would show back up after Merle was done doing with him whatever they were doing. Heading back into the bar, Willow looked around and could see her grandpa had been right...it was a pretty slow night. Even the prostitutes were bored. Slipping into a bar stool, Willow watched as her grandfather placed a soda in front of her, giving her a nod.

The night passed painfully slow and as every minute passed by, Willow's hope that Daryl would be back lessened. Finally giving up she walked behind the bar putting her glass in the soapy water.

"Leave it Will" her grandfather said "It will give me something to do."

Willow nodded and headed out the back door to the trailer.

Daryl propped himself up on a table and watched as his brother and his friends poured over a map.

"Alright, we have 10 spots mapped out that we're going to hit. Mostly we're looking for any kind of prescription drugs but food and alcohol are good too. I think we'll hit this one first. It's a day or so ride but I heard there's a lot of women and children so they should be willing to give us whatever we want to keep them safe" Merle smiled.

Daryl's heart sank. He was hoping that they weren't planning on anything like this but he should have known better. Staring at his brother he was so torn in what to do. He knew his first and foremost loyalty would always be to his brother but he hated this side of him. Watching Merle walk across the room towards him while the other guys talked quietly among themselves he stopped standing in front of Daryl

"You with me little brother?" Merle asked

Daryl stared at him and shrugged

"What's that supposed to mean?" Merle said as he mocked Daryl's shoulder shrug

"Man...Merle we don't need to do this. We have a roof, food, a place to drink and even some women if we want it. We don't need to do this...we don't" Daryl said quietly

Merle stared at Daryl for a minute then said loudly

"Daryl says we don't need to do this. What do you boys say about that? Would you rather sit at home and play house and have a drink now and then and wait for some other group to attack us? Or do we go and do the attacking?" He finished grinning at Daryl.

Daryl shook his head and looked away.

"It might interest you baby brother that the one spot, or the mother load so to speak, we'd like to hit is Boondocks." Merle said staring down Daryl

Daryl stared back clenching his jaw as Merle continued

"Now, we haven't hit that place mostly because you're all buddy buddy with Joe but if you disappoint me, I may just forget he's your friend."

"You'd be a fool to hit Boondocks" Daryl said quietly "He's got a lot more friends than just me.

You hit that place and the surrounding places are going to come after you hard and heavy. Joe moves a lot of product and keeps a lot of people fed and happy. It would be suicide to go after that place"

Daryl knew for a fact that Merle wouldn't listen to what he said, but he hoped the other guys did. Merle could want to take out Joe all he wants but he wouldn't be able to do it on his own. All he had to do was plant a few seeds of doubt in the other guys heads and the rest would take care of itself.

"Daryl's got a point Merle...Boondocks stays pretty heavily protected." Said one of the guys

Merle smiled a twisted maniacal smile and said

"Leave it to my baby brother to figure out a way to save his precious Joe and his beloved Boondocks. Alright well...we still have the other places. Let's get a move on."

Daryl slipped off the table and followed the men out who all climbed on their bikes. He really didn't want to do this but what other choice did he have? Climbing on his bike he followed Merle and the group who were making their way to their first target.

After riding all night and sleeping most the day, the group made their way to their first target to invade. Daryl sat on his bike listening to the screams of men, women and children as his group hit the settlement hard and heavy. He was supposed to be the lookout but all he could do was feel sick to his stomach about all of this and this was just the first one. He'd have nine more of these to sit through. All he could think about was how he didn't want to do this and he didn't want to be here anymore. All he wanted to do was go fix a jukebox and kiss a girl. He knew Merle would never understand, he could talk to him until he was blue in the face and he still wouldn't hear him. He also knew he would never let him go...he'd rather shoot him in the back then let his brother leave so he did the only thing he could do. He started his bike and turned it around and headed straight back to Boondocks leaving Merle and the group without a lookout.

Willow sat in her usual stool staring at the broken down jukebox in the corner of the bar. Her birthday was tomorrow and it looked more and more like there would be no music or no Daryl. She knew it shouldn't matter but she couldn't help feel sad about it. Her grandfather had been right, Merle snaps his fingers and Daryl does whatever he says to do. Realizing it was getting pretty late, Willow started to slip off her stool but froze as her heart stopped watching Daryl walk through the door.

She knew she shouldn't be so obvious but she couldn't look away. He was different. She wasn't sure why or what happened but he looked mad, sad and scared all at the same time. What the hell had happened to him?

"Hey Daryl, glad to see you...what can I get you son?" Willow's grandfather asked.

Daryl looked at him then at Willow

"Nothing...I'm good. Can I talk to you a minute?"

Joe slowly nodded

"Will, watch the bar for me for a minute. C'mon Daryl" he said quietly

Willow walked behind the bar and watched the two walk into the back room. She tried to stay busy wiping down the counter, washing a glass but the suspense was still killing her. Finally they both appeared still talking quietly. Willow tried to read their faces but they weren't giving anything away. She watched as her grandfather walked back behind the bar.

"Will...can you go to the trailer and get a sheet, a couple of blankets and a pillow?"

Willow nodded not asking any questions and headed towards the back door. She of course had a million questions but she knew neither one of them would say a word about what they were talking about. Rummaging through the linen closet, Willow found a sheet, one light and one heavier blanket. Not sure where there were extra pillows, she grabbed one from her bed. Heading back to the bar, she walked into the back room and couldn't help but stare at Daryl who was laying on a pull out cot. Damn he looked good laying there and immediately felt embarrassed at her own thoughts. Daryl turned and slightly grinned at her and said

"Housekeeping?"

Willow rolled her eyes and threw the linens as they landed on his head and walked out of the room but not before hearing him laugh. Willow walked back out to the bar to tell her grandpa goodnight and hurried back to the trailer. She wasn't sure what was going on but having Daryl sleeping so close by was doing crazy things to her heart. She knew she had to get some sleep, she had a busy day tomorrow but knowing Daryl was so close she doubt that would happen anytime soon.

Daryl lay back on the cot staring at the ceiling of the bar. He had completely betrayed his brother telling Joe everything about them wanting to hit Boondocks, about them hitting the other settlements and how he couldn't do it anymore. He had planned on going home but Joe talked him into staying and said he'd feel better knowing Daryl was close until this thing was over. Rolling on his side he buried his face in the pillow hoping that sleep would finally find him but all he could smell was her. She must have given him her pillow. Groaning out loud he couldn't believe she had been so mean to do that...how was he supposed to get any sleep now?
Willow looked at herself in the mirror the next morning and sighed. She'd give anything not to have to put this getup on for her birthday. Walking out into the living room she didn't see her grandfather anywhere...must be in the bar already she thought. Swallowing her nerves of seeing Daryl this morning, she walked out and into the bar.

Walking into the main room she watched as Daryl sat working on the jukebox and her grandfather carrying all kinds of paper plates and cups.

"Morning Will" her grandpa smiled "Happy birthday"

Willow smiled back warmly and said

"Thanks grandpa"

"Listen, I hate to make you work on your birthday but I have some running to do and someone needs to put out these plates and cups and things...you OK with that?"

Willow smiled again

"Yes of course... I don't mind helping"

"Alright, I won't be long. Here's all the stuff".

Willow nodded and watched her grandfather walk out the door and jump in his truck and leave. Looking over at Daryl, he looked so engrossed in what he was doing she decided she probably shouldn't bother him. Getting to work she set up all the tables and chairs, setting out all the plates and cups. She too was pretty engrossed in what she was doing until suddenly music filled the room. He fixed it!

Willow turned to smile at him but he was already two feet from her. Staring at him she watched as he held out his hand and said softly

"I fixed it, now you have to dance with me"

Willow's heart quickened and looked around

"It's OK" he smiled "it's just us"

Willow took his hand and felt him hold it close to his chest while his other hand slipped around her waist. Slowly they moved in a circle as Garth Brooks sang 'the dance' which echoed throughout the room. She was so surprised she was dancing with him like this she wasn't sure what was happening when he stopped. Looking up at him she and watched as he took her hat off and unpinned her hair.

"There...that's better" he whispered in her ear grabbing her hands putting them around his neck as he slid both of his around her waist. She was so nervous all she could do was stare at his chest as they danced around the floor until she felt his finger under her chin lifting her face to look at him. For that moment the entire world stopped spinning and there were no other people besides she and Daryl. As his lips met hers softly, she almost felt like crying from the sweetness of his kiss. She was so lost in this moment she no longer cared about hiding who she was or being afraid of Daryl. Everything her grandfather had warned her about was gone and all that mattered was that he was kissing her and she never wanted him to stop. Willow felt him pull her closer against him as his kiss deepened making her go completely weak in the knees. She was drowning in his affection and she never wanted to come up for air. Feeling his tongue slip inside her mouth in search of hers she felt his hands go lower she felt him press himself against her and a thrill shot through her entire body.

She had just thought of how much she never wanted this to end when they were interrupted abruptly by the sound of her grandfather's truck pulling up. Fumbling with her hair, trying to get it all back up inside her cap, she turned away from Daryl as he walked back over to the jukebox.

"Hey! You got it working!" Joe smiled but his smile quickly faded as he realized he had just interrupted something.

"Yeah" Daryl said a little strained "just needed a good cleaning and some oil on the mechanics."

Joe nodded still looking between Willow and Daryl when it hit him what exactly he had interrupted. Resigning to the fact, he knew he had lost the battle.

"Willow...you should go get ready for your party" her grandpa said.

Willow stared at him in shock as he had called her Willow and not Will in front of Daryl.

"I-I'm already ready grandpa" she said softly

She watched as he walked over to her and took off her hat as her hair fell down around her shoulders.

Daryl and Willow looked at each other, not sure what to say or do.

Joe looked at Daryl

"Are you going to tell me you didn't already know?"

Daryl looked at him and then shook his head.

"You knew the first time you met her didn't you?"

Daryl shrugged and said softly

"Pretty much, or close to it"

Joe nodded

"That's what I thought. Alright, no point in trying to hide you from trouble anymore, he's already found you" he said giving her a wink. Go change your clothes into something girly...I guess I'll have some explaining to do at the party"

Willow looked at Daryl again and then her grandfather and began walking through the bar and out the door wondering what in the hell had just happened?

Notes

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