THE BATH

Chapter 1: Is Michonne here?

For Daryl, the best thing about Alexandria was not the hot clean water, the large comfortable houses with the large comfortable beds, or even the electricity.

His favourite thing about Alexandria resounded primarily in the pantry, but he had made sure to facilitate its impendent voyage to his stomach by ensuring that it was adequately stocked in the kitchen cupboard:

Captain Crunch cereal.

Sneaking into the kitchen in the middle of the night, nimble-toed, to savour the sweetened melange of baked corn and oats, was one of his favourite things to do. The extra box inside the bedroom he rarely slept in were his and Olivia's secret - "for a rainy day" they had conspired. Unfortunately for him, Carl also shared his love of Captain Crunch, and the box he had just emptied meant he would have to tap into that ration much earlier than he would have liked.

He grunted.

It was time to move in with Carol. She hated captain crunch.

From across the open-plan kitchen, he heard the door open, followed by approaching footsteps. It was Rick.

"You look like shit," Daryl mumbled, in between munches.

Rick smiled distractedly, appearing to concede to the bluntness of his friend's remark. "Crazy day," was his vague response, his scanning eyes seeming more preoccupied with his surroundings.

Daryl decided to make amends over his unflattering comment. "Where's Carl and Judith?"

"Staying with Maggie and Glenn…" Rick disappeared down the hall for a moment and quickly returned. Daryl could only describe the expression on his face as that of a man who appeared lost in his own home.

"Everything a'right?" Daryl prompted, even though he'd already diagnosed the source of Rick's restlessness.

"Is Michonne here?"

"She's upstairs."

Rick nodded, and promptly left the kitchen. "Catch you later."

Darly let his hair fall over his face to conceal a one sided smirk.

They both knew Rick wasn't coming back downstairs…