Angel vs. Demon

It was hot, and quiet but not too quiet like it had been. You could hear birds chirping in the trees and the wind rustling through the trees. At night the crickets chirped away like everything was still right with the world. Sadly though, what the animals didn't seem to realize was the world had come to an end, it was the apocalypse. Millions of people were dead, but not all of them stayed dead. There were many who were dead and walking around, eating anything that was alive that they could catch. The world was a much crueler place and you had to fight and be smart in order to survive it.

Two woman walked through the trees as they sought a safe place to stay, at least for the night. They never stayed any place more than a night, they were searching for someone. It had been five years since the end of the world and they had been searching ever since. There was someone they were determined to find, at least one them was.

"Marie, can we please just stop and rest for a bit? I'm tired, hungry and thirsty." Said the younger of the two.

"Yeah, I guess it wouldn't hurt to stop and take a little bit to catch our breath." Said Marie. She took her pack off her shoulder and set it down. She then took her rifle off her shoulder and checked it to make sure it was loaded. "I'm gonna go try and find us something to eat. Why don't you get a fire going and I'll be back shortly." She said as she handed her handgun over to the younger girl.

"Okay, just don't take too long. You know I'm not good with a gun." Said the younger woman.

"Yes I know Cassie, but you've handled yourself well enough so far. I'd say you're getting better my dear sister." Said Marie.

"Yea yea, whatever." Said Cassie.

Marie just smiled than headed off to find them something to eat. She was hoping to at least come across some rabbits. As she walked quietly through the woods, she didn't see a thing scurry through the trees, not even a squirrel. She kept walking, hoping she would eventually see something.

Right then, she spotted a deer off in the distant, eating some grass. She quietly inched her way closer, cocking her rifle as silently as possible so as not to scare it away. Once she was close enough, she carefully took aim. She made sure to take her time, making sure she had a good shot. She placed her finger on the trigger and once she had a good shot, she fired. As her bullet hit the deer, she noticed an arrow also did at the same time.

Marie quickly became alert and gazed around the trees looking for who that arrow belonged to. She could see a figure hunched behind a tree, and somehow, the figure seemed familiar. She still held her rifle ready anyway, just in case. She watched as the figure slowly moved out of their hiding spot. That's when she felt her heart almost stopped. The figure that had shot the arrow was someone she had known for years and who was the very person she had been searching for.

"Daryl." Marie managed to choke out.

Daryl seemed to only be able to stare at her, his expression unreadable.

Marie could picture what was going through his mind, he had probably never imagined she could survive this long. Or that she was still even in Georgia. He probably figured she would be long gone by now. How could she leave though knowing he was still out there somewhere? And she didn't know if he was alone or not. She could never leave him behind.

Unable to resist any longer, Marie dropped her rifle and walked forward to throw her arms around Daryl's neck, hugging him tight. She was the only person he would allow to do that. She could feel him slowly put his arms around her, returning her hug.

"I never stopped looking for you." Was all Marie could think to say at the moment.

"I wish I could say the same." Said Daryl. He sounded ashamed of himself.

Marie pulled back just enough so that she could look at Daryl. When she did, the look in his eyes when he looked at her was enough to make her heart ache.

"Daryl, don't. We're both alive and somehow we managed to find each other, that's what matters." She said.

Daryl just nodded but that look was still in his eyes, and he gazed down at the ground unable to look at her.

"Daryl Dixon, look at me." She paused, waiting for him to look at her again. "No one could have known this was gonna happen, no one could've predicted the world was gonna go to shit. What matters is that we're surviving in it and that we haven't given up."

"You don't hate me for not looking for you?" Asked Daryl.

"Of course not! Daryl, you're my best friend, nothing has ever changed that and nothing ever will! I never expected you to look for me Daryl. I mean I won't lie, I hoped you would but I never expected you to. I just knew I had to find you, I had to know you were okay. I couldn't just leave you behind." Said Marie.

"I know, that's the way it's always been. I never gave up hope that you were alive and that you were somewhere safe." Said Daryl.

"I'm only alive because of all that you taught me Dar, I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for you." Said Marie.

"I don't believe that. You're a strong woman Marie, you always have been. I believe you could survive anything." Said Daryl.

"I wish I could say that I believed that. I'm not as strong as you think." Said Marie.

"Now that's bullshit and you know it. After all the shit we've been through together, you're really gonna say that?" Asked Daryl.

"I was only strong because of you." Said Marie.

"Stop. You're the one that was always picking me back up, helping me keep going through all the shit that should've pulled me down. You never let me give up and every time I fell, you were right there for me. I'm the one that depended on you to be strong, not the other way around." Said Daryl.

"We made each other strong." Said Marie.

"Mar, stop. Quit doubting yourself. You were always the strongest woman I ever knew, hell the strongest person I know. You're the reason I've survived, the reason I keep on surviving." Said Daryl.

"Funny, didn't I use that line on you once or twice?" Asked Marie, unable to keep a smile off her face.

"More than that. It was at least once a day." Said Daryl.

Marie's smile widened. She hugged Daryl again, this time wrapping her arms around his midsection and holding him tight.

"I've missed you so much Daryl. I don't wanna ever lose you. I don't know what I'd ever do without you." She said.

"It's alright now, I'm here." Said Daryl as he hugged her, one arm wrapped around her and the other with his hand on her head. He had never felt as close to anyone as he did Marie, never had a bond with anyone like he did with her. He had always felt so comfortable with her, able to be himself around her and tell her anything and she would never judge him. She cared about him the way he was. He had always enjoyed and loved that about her. To him, she was the most amazing woman to ever grace the earth with her presence.

Just then, they heard a twig snap nearby which caused them to turn at the sound, pulling away from each other.

However, they saw that it was only Cassie. She had their packs with her and was looking apologetic.

"Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt." She said.

"It's okay Cass, sorry it's taken me so long." Said Marie.

"Yea and I can see why. Hey Daryl, good to see you." Said Cassie.

"You too Cass." Said Daryl.

"So did you find us something to eat?" Asked Cassie, turning her attention to her sister.

Marie glanced at the dead deer and at Daryl before answering.

"Actually, I think that's a little debatable since Daryl and I shot this deer at the same time." She said.

"Well, why don't you both come back with me and we can share it. I mean, we'd be sharing it with a dozen other people too." Said Daryl.

"Wait, you're with a group?" Asked Cassie.

"Yeah. Why?" Asked Daryl.

"Nothing, just doesn't seem like you, being part of a group that's all." Said Cassie.

"Better than being alone." Said Daryl.

"Fair enough. Fine, lead the way Mr. Dixon. I know my dear sis won't argue since she hasn't stopped looking for you since all this started. She was gonna die looking for you if she could." Said Cassie.

"Geeh, thanks Cass." Said Marie.

Cassie just smiled at her sister, almost sarcastically.

Marie turned to look back at Daryl.

"You heard the lady, lead the way Mr. Dixon." She said.

Daryl nodded his head to her than walked over to the deer.

Marie walked over to assist her longtime friend with their kill.

With Marie's help, Daryl drug the deer toward where he and the others were currently staying. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination.

"This is it." Said Daryl as they approached an old house.

As they got closer to the house, Marie and Cassie couldn't help but feel nervous.

"Dar, wait. What if your friends don't exactly welcome us?" Asked Marie.

"Yeah, what if they just throw us right back out? I mean, it's not like we have anywhere else to go and I don't want to have to go back out there." Said Cassie.

"It has just been the two of us for so long, be nice to be part of a group for once, one we'd be able to trust." Said Marie.

"Look, you two are with me and that already makes you part of the group. I trust you which means they will too. There's no reason to be nervous, I won't let them throw you out. You're staying, I'll make sure of it." Said Daryl.

Marie couldn't help but smile knowing that the man she had called her best friend for so many years was willing to do whatever it took to make sure they became part of the group he was with, to vouch for them.

"After you then Mr. Dixon." She said.

Together her and Daryl carried the deer up on to the porch and set it down than Daryl gave the door a short knock before opening it and leading the way inside. He shut the door once Marie and Cassie were inside.

"Hey Rick. Come in here, need to have a word." Said Daryl, speaking loud enough he could be heard in any room of the house.

A minute or two later, a man entered the room. He looked at Daryl than stared between the two woman standing next to him, appearing almost as though he was studying them.

"This is Marie and her sister, Cassie. We grew up together, came across each other few miles back." Said Daryl.

Both Marie and Cassie smiled politely and waved to the man named Rick. He returned with a nod.

"Nice to meet you both." He said. 

"Mar helped me take down a deer and bring it back." Said Daryl.

"Sounds like we'll be eating good tonight." Said Rick.

"They need a place to stay Rick. They've been alone til now." Said Daryl.

"Why don't we introduce them to the rest of the group than we'll make a decision from there." Said Rick.

Daryl nodded to Rick in understanding.

Rick led the way into the next room where a bunch of people were gathered, just sitting around, quiet. The windows were covered, making it dark in the room and the only light came from a few candles. All heads turned their way as they walked into the room.

"Hey guys, Daryl found a couple people while he was out, they need a safe place to stay and wish to join up with us." Said Rick.

As all eyes stared at them, Marie stayed as close to Daryl as she possibly could but still maintained a comfortable space for him. She could feel Cassie standing right behind her.

"That's all we need, another couple mouths to feed and another two to watch out for and protect." Said a muscular man with red hair.

"I can take care of myself, and my sister." Said Marie, not liking this guy's attitude.

"And Mar helped me bring back a deer, she knows how to hunt and survive. We were friends since we were kids, got separated when all this went down. I trust them both and I want them to stay." Said Daryl. He wasn't going to allow them to just push them back out the door, not without a fight.

"I say if Daryl trusts them than we should too." Said a young woman sitting next to an Asian guy.

Several people nodded in agreement even though not all did.

" I guess it's settled then, they stay." Said Rick.

Marie looked back at her sister and saw she was still a bit weary about this group but still happy they at least had a place to stay that had a roof and walls rather than trees and leaves. She then looked up at Daryl, smiling.

"Thank you." She said.

"'Least I could do after everything you've done for me Mar." Said Daryl. He set down his crossbow, leaning it against the wall. "C'mon, you can help me." He added to Marie, taking her rifle and pack, setting it next to his crossbow than pulled her gently by the arm back the porch, his hand barely on her arm.

"You don't owe me anything Dar, everything I've done is because I care about you and I never wanted to see you get hurt." Said Marie.

"Wasn't nothing you could do to stop it, and you did what you could for me. I'll always be grateful to you, and I do owe you no matter what you say." Said Daryl.

"I didn't do anything a friend wouldn't do for another." Said Marie.

"Mar, stop. You did way more than that. I know you would have done anything you could for me, you still would. That's more than just a friend would do." Said Daryl.

Marie found she couldn't say anything to that, she was out of argument. She knew he was right. They had always had a bond that was stronger than any friendship, any normal friendship anyway. And they had always called themselves best friends but they felt it was something more than that, they just weren't sure just how much more. She would go to the ends of the earth for him, and knew he would do the same for her. It was the way it had always been for them. They never kept a secret from each other and told each other everything.

"Hey Mar." Said Daryl, wanting Marie's attention.

Marie looked over at Daryl, curious what was on his mind.

"I'm really glad you're here, that you're alive. I don't know what I would do if I found out you didn't make it." Said Daryl.

"Same here Dar." Said Marie.

"You've been the one person who's always stood by my side no matter, no matter what it put us through. There were a couple times I was a real jackass to you and you still stayed right there beside me. And I'm glad you did. Things might've turned out different if you hadn't." Said Daryl.

"You would've been lost without me, I know. And I would've been lost without you. I wasn't afraid of any of the bullshit we went through Daryl, I was more afraid of not having you there. You didn't deserve any of what you were put through. I'm just glad you never gave up and out of it all, you came out strong. I had little to do with that Daryl." Said Marie.

"You had everything to do with it Marie." Said Daryl, stepping closer to her to the point they were almost touching, face to face. "You refused to give up on me, never seemed afraid, and you pushed back whenever someone tried to pull you away from me. You're the one that helped me get through it and come out strong. I drew strength from you."

Marie could feel his breath on her skin as he spoke and it gave her goosebumps. Her heart raced at how close they were standing. She could see a fierce look in his eyes as he talked, a fire that she hadn't seen in a while. It made her feel a bit weak in the knees and sent chills down her spine but she didn't falter as she stared back at him.

"Funny, I always thought it was I who drew my strength from you." She said.

"Well you best think again. You were the only person I had there for me, the only true friend I've ever had. Imagine what it did to me when we got seperated. Think what it would have done to me if I never got to see you again." Said Daryl, choking just slightly on his last words.

"I'll always be here for you Daryl, I won't let anything tear us apart again." Said Marie.

"I hope so, 'cause I can't bear to lose you again." Said Daryl.

Marie braved a new action, something she hadn't dared to do on a daily basis because she knew how Daryl was about his personal space. Slowly, she reached up with her right hand to gently place it on Daryl's left cheek. She saw a flicker of nervousness in his eyes, his left hand coming up to hold onto her arm but not move it, before he relaxed and even lean a bit into her touch. She then felt his right hand touch the left side of her face. She couldn't help but close her eyes at his touch.

Daryl watched Marie's reaction to his touch and he felt his heart flutter a bit at seeing her welcome it, closing her eyes. He followed her, closing his eyes and bravely resting his forehead against hers. It had been a long time since he had allowed something like this to happen between them. The last time he had really needed it then too. Even though it was one of the worse days for both of them, it had also become one of their fondest memories for him at least. And he didn't want this moment to end.

Marie gently placed her free hand on his hip to keep him close. He didn't even flinch at her touch and she relished at that. She knew he needed this at the moment, needed her there with him. It was where she belonged.

It seemed like they had been like that forever even though they knew it was only a few minutes. They wished it could be longer but they knew the others were waiting to eat so they had to end the moment. Marie gave him a quick peck on the cheek like she used to always do. Daryl was caught a bit off-guard.

"We should...should probably take care of this deer so everyone can eat." Said Daryl.

Marie couldn't but smile at him.

"What?" Asked Daryl, seeing the way she was grinning at him.

"Nothing, it's just that you're so cute when you get nervous." Said Marie.

"Stop." Said Daryl, regaining his composure as he reached for the deer.

"What? I'm just stating the truth." Said Marie as she moved to help.

Daryl looked over to softly glare at her.

"Alright, okay, I'll stop." Said Marie in surrender.

Daryl turned back to the task at hand without a word. After a minute, he felt a hand on his arm and looked at Marie to see her looking apologetic.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable Dar." Said Marie.

"You didn't." Said Daryl, giving her one of his small, rare smiles.

Marie couldn't help but return his smile with one of her own.

Together, they then returned to what they had originally come out to do. They worked almost in sync with one another. Even though it was the two of them, they moved almost as though they were one person. They were finished with the deer in no time.

"Wow, this is really good." Said Glenn as everyone sat around the living room eating by the fireplace where Marie had prepared the deer she and Daryl had hunted.

"Thanks. Not to brag or anything but I was taught by the best." Said Marie, smiling over at Daryl.

"I don't know, I think you've done a much better job than Daryl ever has." Said Glenn.

"I'll remember that the next time you want me to go huntin'" said Daryl.

Everyone couldn't but laugh. Marie gazed around at everyone as they laughed. She was already beginning to feel comfortable with these people, part of their group. She looked over at her sister and could see that she was still unsure of what to think about these people. If Daryl trusted them though, she felt that they should as well.

For several hours, they all sat around talking, joking and laughing 'til they all began growing tired.

"Alright guys, we better all turn in for the night, try to get some sleep." Said Rick.

Heads nodded in agreement as some began to stand and head to another room.

"I'll take watch." Said Daryl as he stood, picking up his crossbow.

Marie watched him as he headed to the living room where he could watch out the window for any threat coming toward them from the front of the house. She wondered if anyone would be taking watch from the back.

"I'm gonna go take watch at the back." She heard Glenn tell Maggie.

Well that answered her question quickly. She helped her sister find a place to rest than sat with her until she fell asleep.

"I wonder where Merle is." Said Cassie.

"I don't know, hard telling with that man. He always was a stubborn ass, I just hope he's alright and hasn't done something stupid to get himself killed." Said Marie.

"Yeah, me too. I just think it's odd he's not here with Daryl. I didn't think he'd go anywhere without his brother." Said Cassie.

"Yeah." Said Marie, not having much else to say on the matter. She lay there lost in thought as her sister drifted off to sleep. When she found she couldn't get to sleep, she gave up trying and carefully got up so as to not wake her sister than quietly walked through the house 'til she found Daryl in the front room.

"Figured you'd be asleep by now." Said Daryl without having to turn his attention away from the window he was watching out.

"Couldn't sleep, too much on my mind." Said Marie as she walked over and stood next to him at the window.

"You're wondering about Merle." Said Daryl.

Marie's head snapped to look over at him, caught a bit off guard.

"I could overhear you and your sister talking." Said Daryl.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Said Marie.

"Don't be, I figured you'd ask sooner or later." Said Daryl.

"Just 'cause he could be an asshole doesn't mean I never cared about him." Said Marie.

"I know. Wish you would've been able to tell him that too, he cared about you too, just never knew how to show it." Said Daryl.

Marie caught on to what Daryl was trying to tell her without actually saying it.

"Oh Daryl, I'm so sorry." She said.

"Worst part wasn't finding him dead, it was finding him as one of those things." Said Daryl.

Marie noticed how Daryl's fingertips brushed over his knife briefly.

"Oh Daryl, please tell me you didn't." She said.

By the way Daryl didn't answer and avoided her gaze told her what she was afraid of. She felt bad for him, having to do such a thing to his own brother.

"Dar...." She felt herself choke slightly.

"Don't, please Mar." Said Daryl.

Marie nodded, understanding that he didn't want to delve into the subject of Merle's death so she let it go. She knew that him and Merle weren't exactly close growing up but that was still his brother, his blood.

"So how exactly did you meet all these people? I mean, you weren't exactly the social-able one growing up." Said Marie, changing the subject and throwing a little teasing in.

"Merle and I met a few of them in Atlanta, Rick kind of found us and joined up with us 'cause his wife and kid were with us, we met Maggie when we stayed at her dad's farm, and the rest we just kind of came across along the way." Said Daryl, glad she changed the topic of conversation, ignoring her teasing.

"You've come to have quite the group here. I'm glad you found a group you could trust." Said Marie.

"Wasn't always like that. I was a real ass to them at first, tried to keep my distance but the longer I was with them the more they made me feel like I had a real place among them." Said Daryl.

"Yeah, that certainly sounds like you. You never did trust easily and can't say I blame you for it. Do any of them even know anything about your past?" Said Marie.

"Not in the extent that you do, no. As far as I'm concerned, that part of my life is behind me. These people are my new family now." Said Daryl.

"That's good, I'm happy for you Dar. You deserve to be happy, to live a good life. Well, as much of a good life as you can have these days." Said Marie with a smile.

"I was happy though, but only when you were around. I was glad to have such a good friend to stand by me, but I hated that your friends would ditch you because of me." Said Daryl.

"It was their choice Daryl, not your fault. Besides, you needed someone to be there for you and I figured why not me? I seemed to be the only person willing to do anything I could for you. And I don't regret any of it, none of the choices I made or we made. I hope that you don't either." Said Marie.

"Of course not, why would I? You were the only person who gave a damn about me. I just never wanted to be the one to ruin your life. I felt like I was holding you back." Said Daryl.

"Dar, quit. Why would you say something like that?"asked Marie.

"You could have gone anywhere you wanted Mar, you didn't have to stay. You could've done anything with your life and instead you stuck by a worthless redneck and his asshole of a brother. You could've done better than us Mar, you could've done better than me." Said Daryl, turning away from her.

"Damn it Daryl, stop this!" Said Marie, moving around him to stand in front of him so he was looking at her as she spoke. "I made those decisions because I wanted to, I stayed because I wanted to. I wanted to stay because you guys were the best thing that ever happened to me, YOU were the best thing that ever happened to me. I never wanted better than you two, didn't want better than you. I wanted you guys in my life, I want you in my life Dar. I only want you, no one else is better than you for me, and no one else ever will be."

Daryl was left speechless by what Marie just said to him. He had never been able to understand why somebody like her would want to be friends with someone like him, would even want to be near him. He didn't think he was anyone special, there was nothing great about him. Hell if the world hadn't ended, he'd most likely be hanging out with his brother and getting into trouble.

Marie stepped closer, taking hold of his vest but not gripping, just barely holding it.

"You're a great man Daryl Dixon, no matter what anyone else says or has ever said. And you're special to me." She said before she pressed a brief kiss on his cheek. Then she let the vest slip from her grasp, her hand brushing his chest, as she turned and headed back to the room where her sister lay sleeping. She laid down next to her and soon, she felt herself drift off.