Thank you all again for sticking with me to the end. I hope that I did the characters from Walking Dead justice and that I was able to provide an interesting and developed OC. Thanks again for all the encouragement and feedback.

As always I do not own the Walking Dead, its characters or storylines.

The OC's, Jameson O'Connell, Jack O'Connell and Frank O'Connell are of my own creation and all non canon storylines are imagined by me.

I write for fun, not money and appreciate all the inspiration the writers of the show give me.

Thanks again for all the followers and reviewers. You are all amazing and I love you

Epilogue

One Year Later

Rick and Daryl stand at the gate as the trading convoy pulls into the safe zone. For five months Alexandrians have been trading goods and services with the community known as Hilltop. They usually trade food and weapons but sometimes labor and protection is also bartered. Morgan is heading up the neighbor relations and manages the convoys back and forth between the two towns. John takes care of the security for the runs to make sure they aren't overrun by walkers or hijacked. They have learned the hard way after thieves attacked two separate trading runs. Now they use at least six security personnel to make sure deliveries arrive safe and sound.

"How'd it go?" Rick asks as Morgan hops out of the large military truck. The man gives Rick a smile, shaking his hand and details, "It went really well. They were able to provide us the ammo for all our high-powered rifles, as well as a good stock of 40 cal. and take a look at these." The man walks to the back of the truck bed and pulls out the new bladed weapons Hilltop blacksmith has forged. It is similar to Morgan's staff with an added blade for slicing and pointed tip for stabbing walker's heads. He demonstrates it to Rick and Daryl who nods and grin.

"Looks good. We'll have to get the exterior patrolmen to try them out. See if we can conserve ammo. We're they satisfied with the crop output?" Rick asks as they walk towards the new armory located in the newly reclaimed block of businesses. Abraham and his construction crew are working hard on expanding the safe zone. With three more blocks than they had a year ago the town residents are able to spread out to more comfortable levels. It also gives them triple the space for crops, which helps with the trading agreements.

"They were disappointed we weren't able to provide them more wheat but I explained the mildew problem and offered more corn as replacement." Morgan recounts as they enter the tiny building once used as a bank that now doubles as an armory and office for security personnel. The vault makes their weapon stock much more secure.

Rick kisses Michonne on the cheek, placing his large palm on her swelling belly. She is due in a few months and Rick doesn't think she could look any prettier than she does carrying his child. She smirks at him and goes back to organizing the new supplies they received.

"How'd Jacob and Spencer do? They follow orders better this time?" he asks Morgan with a raised eyebrow. Morgan gives him a wry expression and replies, "They were ok. Spencer is doing well. I think he'll work out full time on routes but Jacob… he's got an authority problem."

Rick rolls his eyes and sits down heavily in his office chair, his feet propped up on the desk. "Tell him to come see me when we're done here. I'll get his head on straight."

Daryl takes a seat and inquires, "Did they send those plans for Abe?"

Morgan nods and pulls out the blue prints the resident engineer in Hilltop drew up. The goal is to get a better water system for crop irrigation. All three men look over the plans and Daryl makes note of the supplies they'll need to enact the plans.

"Gonna need to take a couple day run south. There is a large construction site with plumbing supplies. Jameson and I saw it when we got that shipment of fencing." Daryl explains pulling out the map they created. The notations across the whole surface show not only already hit areas and possible spots for scavenging but also places for shelter and hidden caches for emergencies. Rick nods and rubs his chin thoughtfully before asking, "You two be ready by tomorrow?"

"Yeah. No problem." He answers, "We'll take Glenn, Tara and Sam with us. Maybe Abe if he isn't swamped."

Rick nods and asks, "Sounds good. Is James done training the new arrivals on weapons?"

"Yes and no. Two of 'em are actin' pretty helpless. Jameson says they think if they don't know how, they won't have to leave the walls." Daryl explains leaning against a table top, his arms crossed, "Imma talk to 'em. Let 'em know everybody's gotta know this shit to stay 'ere."

"Good. Send 'em my way if ya still got problems." Rick replies before adding, "Alright. Daryl, get ready for tomorrow. Let your crew know and make sure ya let Carol know to get rations ready for y'all. Ya know how she get's about last minute requests."

Daryl snorts and brags, "I can handle 'er."

Rick laughs and jokes, "She does have a soft spot for your assholery."

Daryl narrows his eyes with mock offense and drawls, "Fuck off. I don' know what you're on about. I'm a fuckin' sweetheart." The men laugh and go their separate ways. Daryl heads over to speak to Jameson and the others, first making a stop at the supply building because despite what he implies even Daryl knows not to cross Carol.

Afterwards he sees Jameson teaching self-defense to the new arrivals. He watches her getting down to eye level of the youngest member, a seven year old boy. He watches as she teaches him moves while on her knees. The kid is learning quick and soon will be able to handle a weapon of two. Jameson notices her husband watching and waves before sending the group to run a few laps. Wandering towards her, Daryl grips his crossbow strap with one hand, while pulling her into his chest with the other. Jameson rests her palms on his broad chest and lays her temple in between. He smells of leather and forest, sweat and gun oil. She can tell he's been cleaning the armory weapons again.

"Hey darlin'. Goin ok?" Daryl rasps while tucking his face against her neck, his nose brushing across the soft skin. He inhales deeply, her sweat carries a natural sweetness that he craves. There hasn't been a moment since Daryl met Jameson that he hasn't desired her. The first time he saw her standing on the front porch with Rick, he absorbed the sight greedily. Jameson had been worn and tired, covered in walker gore and dirt but her eyes shown bright. She has a sharpness in her gaze, a total awareness and strength that he finds sexy as all hell. The need to know her only got stronger day by day and eventually Jameson became all he needed or wanted. Now she is his wife and they have a life together. A relationship he never thought he'd have with someone. Jameson hums at the feeling of Daryl kissing her neck and wraps her arms around his waist, squeezes him tightly.

"It's goin' good. Dominic is learning quickly. I think I can teach him firearms soon." She replies speaking of the child in the group.

Daryl grunts a sound of agreement and then tells her, "We got a run tomorrah. Need to hit that plumbing supplies location. Got the plans for irrigation."

"Good. Who do ya wanna take with?" Jameson asks, pulling back to look up at Daryl. She notices his hair is long again and makes a mental note to give him a trim. Jameson brushes his dark shaggy hair out of his hooded eyes, causing him to grunt in irritation.

"Stop," Daryl grumbles before flipping the hair out of his eyes himself, "Ain't no lil' kid."

Jameson snorts and drawls, "Coulda fooled me. The way you whine and bitch about gettin' a haircut."

Daryl playful digs his fingers into her ribs making her squeal and try to squirm away. "Stop!" Jameson giggles yanking away from him.

"Don't mess with me woman. I'll getcha." He teases before pulling her along towards the house. "I was thinkin', Glenn, Sam, Tara 'n maybe Abe. Sound good?"

"Yeah it'll be an easy run as long as that herd has moved on." Jameson agrees while they get to the medical building. "I'm going to check on Jack. Doc is fitting him with a new arm sleeve from Hilltop."

Daryl nods and tips his head to the building, "Le's go. I wanna see what they came up with."

They enter the medical clinic and see Jack sitting on an examination table while fiddling with the new prosthetic. Jameson smirks and asks, "How's it going big brother?"

Jack grins and holds up his new arm. The sleeve covers his forearm and secures it with leather straps on his bicep. The end is fitted with a bayonet attachment but has interchangeable tools such as a hatchet wedge and even a claw like hand. It is far from high tech like the apparatuses of the old world but it's an improvement of not having a hand at all.

"Fits great and Doc says it'll stand up to the bashing I gave the last one." Jack jokes, while making stabbing motions with it, "Plus Craig added a rotation joint on the claw attachment so now it'll brace a rifle easier."

"Cool," Jameson exclaims, picking up the new attachment, "You can come hunting then. Help us get some damn venison."

Daryl looks it over and gives him an approving nod, joking, "Looks good. Maybe ya won't be so useless after all."

Jack gives him the stink eye and drawls, "Just 'cause you're my brother in law don't mean I won't kick your fuckin' ass."

Daryl snorts and taunting, "Try it big guy."

Jameson rolls her eyes at the two and gives her brother a hug before informing him on the run they will be making. Jack tells them both to say goodbye before they leave in the morning and offers to go with if they need and extra hand. Jameson snorts and smacks him upside the head for the terrible joke. "You know all your amputee jokes are getting old right?"

"Oh come Jamesie. Ya gotta hand it to me, its still humerus." He jokes with a shit-eating grin. Jameson smacks him again and concedes, "I'll give it to you on that one. It was punny."

Daryl groans and drawls, "Fuckin' stop it or I'm divorce both y'all."

Jameson smiles back at her husband and says, "Lies. You couldn't quit me if you tried."

"True darlin'." He concedes pulling her into his side and asking Jack, "How's the patrols been? Haven't heard any problems like last week."

"It's been pretty clear. We got the herd to move on. Sent out Quinn and Stef. They drew 'em away from the safe zone and Hilltop. No signs of living but they said they saw tracks out there that looked like wild boar. We gotta get some bacon man."

Daryl grins and gives him a nod of agreement before advising, "Have 'em tell me where they saw 'em. James and me can go out after our run but it won' be for a few days. Hopefully they'll be in the same area."

The three say their goodbyes and plan to have dinner at Jack and Carol's new place when they get back from the run. Daryl and Jameson walk towards home to prepare their gear for the trip. She wraps her arm around his bicep and sighs, "I gotta meet with Maggie first, then I can help pack. She's gettin' everything ready for the next town meeting and wants me to talk about the next training mission. We'll probably do a three-day trip. Get them acclimated to the way we do things and how to work as a team."

Daryl snorts and drawls, "Better you than me."

"Pffft. If someone told me the dead would walk and then I would become some kinda human resources rep I'd have laughed in their faces. I don't know why everyone thinks I can teach people shit." She complains before adding, "I mean I do teach them the best way to do shit, my way."

Daryl chuckles and squeezes her tightly, "Do ya give them the whole 'my way or the highway' speech?"

"Nah. I say 'my way or talk to my husband.' They usually fall in line then. No one wants to deal with a mean ol' redneck." Jameson teases while climbing the stairs of Maggie and Glenn's house. Daryl rolls his eyes, drawling, "I'll get shit goin' at home. See ya in a bit?"

"Of course. Oh Aaron and Eric said something about dinner at their place. Might wanna check and see. I think Sam is bringing her boyfriend." Jameson tells him while smiling and crossing her arms, "You gotta do the big brother act, hurt her and die. I'm not sure its believable coming from Eric."

Daryl snorts, "Probably not but I've seen him hollerin' at Aaron. I wouldn' wanna cross 'im." Jameson stands on the bottom step making her eye level with Daryl. They kiss slowly, Jameson arms wrapped around his neck. "See you soon, Dare." She whispers breathlessly. He smiles easily at his wife and kisses her softly. After brushing his thumb across her cheek he rasps, "Lookin' forward to it, darlin'."

Daryl sits across from Sam's boyfriend, Henry. The teen came to live in Alexandria a few weeks ago with his father Quinn. Sam and he hit it off immediately. Slumping in his seat, Daryl crosses his arms and narrows his eyes. Jameson watches in amusement as her husband gives the poor kid a deep scowl and a glare that could roast marshmallows. Sam is frowning at Daryl's intimidation tactics while Eric and Aaron hold back snickers.

"Sooooo Henry how are you liking the safe zone so far?" Jameson asks breaking the awkward tension floating in the room. The teenager tears his wary gaze away from Daryl and smiles nervously at Jameson.

"It's been good. My dad likes it. The classes you teach are great." Henry replies with a slight blush to his cheeks. Daryl squints his eyes even more at the kid's obvious crush on his wife. Jameson stomps on Daryl's foot making him growl. Everyone looks at him with curious expression.

"You seem like you have a pretty good handle on defending yourself. Your dad teach you stuff on the road?" Jameson moves the attention away from her grumpy husband.

Henry's eyes flit back to Jameson and he explains, "Yeah. We ran into a lot of people. He taught me stuff as we went."

"Best way to learn." She answers before eating another forkful of pasta.

Daryl speaks for the first time asking gruffly, "Ya know how to shoot?"

Henry's eyes cut to Daryl's and he nods emphatically, stammering, "Y-yeah. I uh. My dad taught me how to shoot a rifle and handgun. I like the rifle better."

Jameson smirks at Daryl's calculating gaze and shifting of his posture. She can tell he's warming up to the kid with the new knowledge.

"Ya hunt?" Daryl asks leaning forward on his elbows, his eyes burning into the poor kid's. Henry swallows nervously, "Some. I know how to use snares mostly. We never found any big game except once. My dad shot a deer but when we got to it we saw it had been bitten. We didn't eat it."

Daryl nods as if satisfied with the kids answer. "A'right. We're goin' huntin' when we get back from our run. You're goin with."

Jameson smirks at her husband's statement and hopes the kid knows that it is as good as a seal of approval as Daryl's gives out. He doesn't allow many people to go hunting with him and even less to travel with both Jameson and him. Those hunts are usually reserved as quality time with her unless her brother tags along.

Daryl watches Jameson smirk at him and rolls his eyes. He knows he's intimidating and sure he uses it to his advantage but he isn't that big of a dick. Sam likes the kid and as long as he doesn't over step his boundaries he isn't going to do anything. That doesn't mean he won't put the fear of god into the teenager but he isn't going to be outright mean to the damn kid.

"Hey you've never invited me!" Sam exclaims while crossing her arms with a pout. Daryl snorts and drawls, "Cuz you're too busy with them kids and doin' runs with James."

"Wellllll I'm goin' too." She declares which makes Jameson smirk at her hardheaded ways. Sam reminds Jameson of herself so much it's almost like they are real sisters. Daryl huffs out a breath and drawls, "Ya been hangin' out with Jameson too much. Soundin' jus' as bossy."

Jameson elbows him in the ribs and growls, "Keep talkin' and you're sleepin on the porch."

"Pffft. Ain't punishment to sleep in the fresh air darlin'." He grunts with a grin before finishing up his pasta. " 'sides. Ya wouldn' last an hour without sneakin' out there with me."

Eric and Aaron chuckle at him and watch as Jameson glares but it holds no weight.

"Shuddup, smartass." she grumbles hiding a smirk before turning back to her food.

The rest of dinner Eric and Aaron talk to Henry about where he is from and places he'd been on the road. The night is comfortable after the initial awkwardness and Jameson leans back and rests her head on Daryl's shoulder. She feels him kiss her temple and hears him whisper, "Do I gotta give him the talk or ya think the Dixon stare down worked."

Jameson laughs under breath and tilts her eyes up to meet his striking blues, "I think ya did good Snookums."

"Stop." He grunts, rolling his eyes at her growing grin.

"Never," she whispers her hand sliding onto his thigh under the table.

"Damn it Hunter. I'm tellin' your dad on you!" Jameson shouts from the bedroom. Daryl wanders in from the living room, Hunter propped on his shoulder. "What'd he do?" Daryl drawls his brow furrowed.

Jameson glares at her husband and their surrogate child, her nose wrinkled in disgust. "He shit in my shoe again!" she growls wiping shit out of her boot. Daryl coughs through a laugh and scratches the black kitten's head, suggesting, "Maybe ya deserve it?"

Jameson throws the shoe across the room changing her mind on her wardrobe.

"No. That fucking cat just hates me. It's a spawn from Satan himself." She rants tugging on her other boots.

"Lies! He's an angel. He never fucks with me. I think its your fault." Daryl explains while grinning. It amuses him more than he can put into words that the cat seems to love him more than Jameson. The scowl she wears when Hunter purposefully ignores her is adorable in Daryl's eyes.

"Fuck you Dixon. Shoulda got a damn dog." Jameson grumbles while tying her boots angrily.

"Don't listen to 'er Hunter. Mama's jus' jealous of our love." Daryl whispers, his fingers rubbing the cat's chin earning him a deep purr. Jameson rolls her eyes watching the gruff redneck talk to the cat like a baby. He found it under a sewer grate on their last trip and brought it home in his saddlebag. She thought it would be fun to have a pet until the damn thing turned on her. It is a total daddy's boy. Jameson secretly hopes they find a dog on this mission so she can have a little buddy too.

"I'm not jealous. I just like my shoes to be shit free." She bitches while standing up and securing her weapons. "Alright we ready to hit the road?"

"Soon," Daryl assures before pulling his wife into his chest and kissing her slowly. Jameson hums as he strokes her tongue and teases her lips. Their mouths melt together as they taste and touch each other. Daryl groans as Jameson slides her hands up his shirt, along his stomach and ribs. Leaning back he looks down, his eyes dark and lustful. He takes in her shamrock green eyes and flushed cheeks. Her mouth is parted as light puffs of air ghost over his lips.

'Beautiful. So fucking beautiful,' he thinks with such awe.

Jameson smiles slowly and whispers, "Do we have time for a quickie?" The looks her husband is throwing her way are making her throb. Daryl's worn denim blue eyes are scorching across her already blushing skin. She can feel his gaze absorbing every inch of her. 'So damn sexy,' she thinks while licking the taste of his sweet mouth off her bottom lip.

Daryl laughs gruffly, his chest vibrating against hers. "Ain't nothin' quick 'bout what I wanna do t' ya. Gonna hafta wait 'til we get home darlin'. Imma make ya cum for hours though." He rasps, his rough Georgian accent causing Jameson cheeks redden even further. She can't control herself when he turns on his deep southern cadence. Daryl smirks at her blushing face and let's his hands trail up her back, to cup her face.

Jameson moans at the dirty promises and pouts, "As soon as we get home. Promise?"

Daryl kisses her softly and whispers against her parted lips, "'course sweetheart. Nothin 'll stop me."

They stand at the gate saying good-bye before they leave for their run. Jameson gives Jack a hug and says, "Be back soon Jackie boy."

"You better. We'll grill somethin' and drink that bottle of Jim Beam we found."

"Sounds excellent." She replies with a grin. Rick wanders over and gives her a hug, instructing, "Take care of each other. Anything dangerous happens come home."

"Will do bossman." She quips with a tiny grin.

Rick rolls his eyes and pulls Daryl into a very manly hug complete with loud smacks on the back. She can't hear what they say but she watches them smile and give each other a reassuring nod.

Daryl climbs onto his newest garage project, a restored Triumph motorcycle, and puts a hand out to help Jameson on. She slides her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly as if assuring him she's good to go. The rest of the team loads into a large truck to haul all the plumbing supplies.

Jameson gives everyone a wave and holds on as Daryl kick starts the engine. The gate is slowly pulled open by the guards and they roll out towards the dangerous world beyond the walls. Jameson puts her chin on Daryl's shoulder and watches the dark green forest and abandon towns fly by, the air whipping across her smiling face. Daryl removes one hand from the handlebars and places it on her thigh, his thumb rubbing circles across the worn fabric.

"I love ridin' with ya darlin'." he hollers over the rushing wind and roaring engine.

Jameson smiles at his sweet words and squeezes his waist, her mouth stretching to kiss the back of his neck. "No place on earth I'd rather be than right here with you." she answers loudly, her hand moving under his shirt and stroking across his taut stomach. Daryl's fingers squeeze her thigh once more before returning to the handlebars.

Jameson tucks her face in between his shoulder blades and reminisces about her life before she met such an amazing man. Her life on the run in the woods by herself. The fear and anger she lived with used to fill her, leaving room for nothing else. It wasn't until Jameson found herself in the safe zone that she realized how long she had been running. Now she has a family. She has a husband. Jameson has unconditional love and trust with someone.

Her lips press to the worn leather vest that smells like Daryl. The tattered angel wings that stretch across his broad back fill her vision. She looks at them and realizes how appropriate it is for him to have them. He saved her. Daryl truly is her guardian; of mind, body and soul. Jameson's arms tighten again as she holds onto the only person that has ever understood her completely and fully.

"I love you Daryl," she tells him while he slows to swerve around a pile up of cars.

"Love you too darlin'." He drawls a smile evident in his tone. "Always."

The End.

Wow. I can't believe its done but am also a little relieved. This was my first real attempt at creative writing and it has been a struggle. I am sure I have made errors along the way. I'm sure there are countless ways to improve it and things to correct but I feel proud of it.

It was amazing to have so many people enjoy this fic and so many who encouraged me. I hope that you all continue to enjoy my writing and I hope to get through my other fics so I can move onto all the other ideas flooding my overactive imagination.

Thanks again for reading, reviewing and being overwhelming awesome.

Jesbakescookies