"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~Luciano De Crescenzo

She wasn't much bigger than the little girl she watched over so carefully. Her silvered hair lay in lank strands about her haggard face, blue eyes wide and staring. The girl stayed close to her mother, timid and unsure as she peered at the people around her. Not that there was many this time of night. Most were passengers of the Greyhound that lumbered in just after midnight, who lurched off the bus like refugees and sank gratefully into the uncomfortable plastic chairs.

He didn't usually stop here on his way home. It was easier to make a sandwich or heat up something quick. Tonight, he just didn't have in it in him. He was coming off the back-end of a four-day swing shift and those last few hours were always the hardest. He had three days to rest up, recharge his batteries, and then start the whole thing over again. Daryl gave the menu a tired look, picked a number at random and took the ticket from the clerk. He perched against the railing to wait his turn.

They caught his eye. Something about the way they were wrapped together drew him in. The slight woman cradled her girl close, her hand moving absently through corn silk hair as her gaze wandered about the restaurant. Their eyes met before hers moved on. He was just another face in the crowd at this stop. She'd seen others like him and would see countless more until they got wherever they were going. "I'm hungry, momma," the young voice pierced him like a spear. He couldn't help but watch from the corner of his eye as the woman's mouth tightened before curving into a smile.

"I know, Sophia." The mother's voice was taut with worry despite the reassuring way she stroked the girl's arm. "Give me a minute and we'll get you something. Okay, baby?" The young one nodded her trusting eyes firm on her mother's face. Daryl looked on as the woman pulled a wallet out of her bag and leafed through a thin green bundle. It didn't take a genius to figure out she was going over what they had, running a tally against what they would need, and was coming up short. She peeled off the top bill and tucked the rest into the wallet before pulling out another smile. "Let's get you some dinner."

They got into the queue, the young one eagerly looking at the multi-hued board above the counter. She murmured excitedly to her mother, too low for him to hear, and then laughed and clapped excitedly when the woman nodded. She spoke to the clerk, received her receipt and gathered her girl up with a look.

Daryl was handed his to go bag a few moments later but something told him to wait so he did. He lingered at the condiment station, his attention on the two still waiting in line. When she picked up their tray and headed in his direction, he stepped to the side. Just as he suspected, there was only one meal and cup on the tray. The girl ran ahead and set her cup under the fruit punch dispenser. She gave him a nervous smile which he returned before joining her mother at a nearby table. The child dug into her food with gusto and the mother laughingly admonished her to slow down. His hands tightened on the bag. She was just as hungry as the girl. He could see it in the way her eyes lingered on the food before darting away. The knowledge of what she was doing curdled his stomach. He'd never seen anything like it, this willingness to sacrifice for someone else.

His feet were moving before he realized it. Startled blue eyes widened as he approached the table. Neither spoke as he stood beside them, fingers white on the folds of the bag. He opened his mouth to speak but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he set the food down and nudged it in her direction. He shook his head when she started to speak, waving her to silence. He then reached into the front pocket of his jeans and removed a wad of bills and dropped them beside the bag. "Gotta eat," he muttered gruffly. "Have to take care of you so you can keep taking care of her."

Her eyes filled up, the tears gleaming diamond bright in the harsh fluorescent light. She tried to speak again but he waved her off. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he stalked to the door, refusing to look back as embarrassment sent a tide of color into his cheeks. She watched him, the tattered wings on his vest drawing a watery smile as the door slid closed blocked him from view.

"Momma, who was that man?" Sophia questioned around a mouth full of cheeseburger.

Carol reached into the bag and took out the man's sandwich, taking a healthy bite before she answered. "Our guardian angel, baby," she said quietly. "He's our guardian angel." She smiled at the girl's wondering looks before nodding toward the tray. "Eat up now," she ordered sternly. "The bus will be leaving soon. We'll be at Grandma's this time tomorrow. It's gonna be alright, Sophia." She took another bite of the sandwich, feeling the tense muscles of her shoulders ease up. "It's gonna be alright." She repeated to herself. Ed was miles behind them and a new chance was just around the bend.

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He couldn't shake them on the drive home or the image of those wide, worried eyes and the grateful tears filling them up when he dropped those wadded bills on the table. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel, muttering oaths under his breath. "Stop it, you pussy," he grumbled. "It ain't nothing so just forget about it. They're not your problem."

He shook his head angrily, climbed out of the truck and then stomped his way across the yard. The trailer wasn't much to look at but it was paid for and kept the rain off. For the hundredth time, he told himself that he was gonna do something about the sway in the porch and hang the new screen door when he got a minute. And for the hundredth time, he promptly forgot about it as soon as he got inside. A black cat stirred lazily from his usual cushion on the couch and got up to greet him. "Hello, you fat bastard," Daryl groused as he gave it an obligatory scratch behind the ears. "I don't want you prowling all night and keeping me awake, you hear. Some of us don't get to sleep the day away." He got a head bump by way of reply before the feline wandered off to investigate his water bowl.

Daryl closed his eyes and rolled his shoulders to stretch out the kinks that had found their way in on the drive home. Sighing softly, he pulled open the refrigerator door and studied the contents. "Bologna and bread," he said morosely. "Just what the doctor ordered." He tossed meat and cheese on the counter and helped himself to a couple of slices from the breadbox. A bowl of almost stale chips rounded off his meal. Daryl laughed, palmed a Bud from the six pack on the lower shelf, and settled into the recliner with his tray balanced on his knees. The local news droned in the background as he worked his way through the sandwich and chips. He sipped the beer, letting the warmth of the alcohol lull him into an almost sleep. He sank deeper into the cushions and closed his eyes, listening to the TV with half an ear.

"A domestic dispute turned deadly in Selby," the anchor's somber voice announced. "Authorities were called out to a residence on Senoia Drive when neighbors reported an argument. When they arrived on scene, police discovered Ed Pelletier, age 44, lying unresponsive in the living room. He was taken to Selby Memorial where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Local police are asking for help in locating his wife, Carol Peletier and their minor daughter. They haven't been seen or heard from in a couple of days. If you have any information, please contact the Selby County Sheriff Department at 555-7425."

Daryl sat up abruptly, his food forgotten as a picture flashed on screen. "Son of a bitch," he stared in disbelief. It was them, the girl and her mother from the restaurant. His mind spun rapidly as realization set in. No wonder she looked scared to death. She must have grabbed the girl and what she could carry before hauling ass out of there. He pushed his way out of the chair and dumped his plate in the sink before running a hand wearily through his hair. He had a strict policy when it came to dealing with the police….he didn't.

Growing up in this place with the last name Dixon meant that cops knew everything there was to know about you. Merle made double damned sure of that as did their old man back in the day. Daryl was the black sheep in the family for not having a rap sheet a mile long. He paced the length and breadth of the room, shooing the cat away when it tried to twine around his ankles. Somehow, some way his Good Samaritan act was going to come back and bite him in the ass. He gnawed on his thumbnail, shaking his head despite his misgivings. No. If he had it to do over, he would do the same thing. Merle was right, damn the man to hell. He was fucking soft and not worthy of the Dixon name.

Daryl kicked his boots into the corner and yanked his shirt over his head as he made his way to the shower. Wherever she was going, he hoped she was prepared for the shit hitting the fan when the cops caught up with her. He ducked into the warm spray trying to suppress the urge to give a damn. It wasn't anything to him. She and her girl wasn't his problem.

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She woke up surrounded by warmth, swathed head to toe in a worn but velvety soft blanket that smelled of pine and green growing things. For a minute, she kept her eyes closed as she snuggled deeper into her pillow but then memory caught up to her, causing her to sit bolt upright in the bed clutching the blanket to her. Her frantic gaze sought and found Sophia sleeping nearby, only the tip of her nose and a few wayward strands of blonde hair visibly.

The bed they were in was wide enough for the two of them to sleep comfortably and took up most of the available space in the room. A battered dresser and a low table acting as a TV stand made up the rest of the furnishings. Thin golden light seeped in through cheap vinyl blinds attesting to the earliness of the hour. Carol slumped back against the pillows and pondered the inexplicable change of events that had taken place over the last twenty-four hours. She couldn't help but wonder how the hell she'd gotten here and what made her decide to trust a stranger. Accepting a kindness was one thing but going home with a complete stranger and bringing Sophia along for the ride was altogether different. She'd lost her mind was the only explanation she could come up with. She shivered and pulled the blankets closer as the memories rolled through her.

Carol stumbled off the bus with Sophia cradled in her arms. The girl rested heavily on her shoulder, still asleep despite the long hours spent on the bus. Her gangly form was almost too much for Carol to handle, what with her feet dangling almost to her mother's knees. She didn't want to wake her, knowing that she was exhausted both from the trip and the mad dash from home. Carol tried without success to put change into the payphone and dial the number. After she fumbled the handset, Carol blew out a frustrated breath and lowered Sophia to the ground. "Wake up, baby. I need you to help me for just a minute. Can you do that?"

Sophia mumbled and rubbed her eyes but obediently stood on her own. "Are we going to Grandma's now?" She asked groggily. Carol nodded and tucked a few strands of hair behind the girl's ear. "I'm tired, momma. Will we get there soon?"

She fed coins rapidly into the slot and punched a number from memory. After a few rings, she heard a tired voice rasp hello. "Mother, it's me. It's Carol. I'm sorry to wake you."

Millie Jackson's surprise was clear as the sound of her daughter's voice came over the line. "Carol, what's wrong? What happened? You don't usually call so late."

Carol bit back a hiss of annoyance, well aware that calling so late was unusual. Ed kept close tabs on whom she called or who came by the house. Sophia never had friends stay over and it was seldom if ever that Carol had company. Ed's drinking buddies and co-workers wandered about like they owned the place. He let them come and go as they pleased and dared her to say a word to the contrary. She was there to be seen and to keep the refrigerator stocked. He made sure that both she and Sophia knew their place and used his fist or a belt to drive the point home.

"It got bad and we couldn't stay there anymore. We're at the bus station. Can we stay until I figure something out?" The silence on the other end was deafening. Carol held her breath, hoping and praying that her mother would say yes and leave it at that. When she heard the sigh, her heart plummeted.

Millie's voice was regretful but no less firm when she answered, "You need to go home, Caroline. Go home to your husband where you belong. Take Sophia and go. A child should be with her daddy and her mother."

Carol's hands shook as she fought back a reflexive scream. It would never change. She knew that now. Instead she smiled at Sophia as she responded, "I understand." With that, she hung up the phone and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. Sophia looked up at her uncertainly, prompting yet another reassuring smile. "It's late, baby, and Grandma is tired. We'll stay someplace else tonight. Sophia didn't question her, instead she nuzzled closer. As Carol patted her back reassuringly, she couldn't help but wonder how many times she would have to lie to her daughter and how in the world she would ever make it up to her.

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He felt like a damned fool but he didn't turn the truck around. He had to know they were okay. He couldn't say why but it wouldn't leave him alone. He backtracked and got a copy of the route for the midnight bus. The next stop was only an hour's drive. He cussed a blue streak as the truck ate up the miles but he didn't stop. When he pulled into the station, Daryl wasn't surprised to find the bus already gone and the depot empty. It had been a long shot anyway. He took a last look around before heading back the way he'd come and told himself that it wasn't too little or too late.

He heard them before he caught sight of them standing by the pay phones. The girl's voice carried across the open space, "I'm tired, momma. Will we get there soon?" He shoved his hands in his pockets as he watched the woman dial and speak quietly but urgently into the phone. He knew from the way her face changed that whatever she heard on the phone wasn't what she'd hoped. She looked desperate and tired and out of hope. She looked defeated. He was moving toward them before the receiver settled into place.

"Uh…ma'am," he called out hesitantly. Those wide blue eyes rounded when she caught sight of him, her arms tightening reflexively on her girl. He held up both hands toward her, hoping she would take it that he didn't mean them no harm. "Look, don't be scared, alright? I ain't gonna hurt you. I just wanted to…" His faced reddened as he realized how strange this must seem to her. She didn't know him and it wasn't likely to be a coincidence running into him again, at least not like this. "I'm not gonna bother you, okay?"

Carol's face softened as she noticed his obvious discomfort. He looked like he wanted to sink right through the floor judging from the way his eyes darted about and the fiery blush he sported. She pushed Sophia behind her but managed a nod in his direction. "It's fine. Really it is. Can I help you, Mr…" her voice trailed off uncertainly.

He shifted from foot to foot but finally chanced to meet her probing look. "Daryl," he muttered. "My name's Daryl." He offered his hand but dropped it abruptly to his side, eyes flitting away yet again. "Don't mean to scare you or your girl. I…uh…that is…I wanted to make sure you were okay."

He'd managed to shock her that much was clear. Her mouth made a perfect O before she caught herself. Her fingers tightened on the strap of her bag and on her girl's hand. The twig of a girl had no such qualms, eying him with bright interest from behind her mother. She essayed a smile which broadened to a grin when he returned the gesture. "We're fine. Thank you," Carol's voice pulled his gaze back to her. "In fact we were just leaving. Our ride will be here any minute."

Her words came too fast and much too chipper to be believed. Daryl could see that she was trying to be nice and chalked that up to the meal. She was repaying a kindness but that's as far as her trust went. "I don't mean you no harm. Like I said, I just wanted to check on you. That's all," he shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his shoulders. "If you want, I can take you wherever you need to go."

Her expression wavered from distrust to curiosity and back again as she eyed him. She was clearly weighing her options. Sophia nudged her, her head bobbing eagerly when Carol looked toward her. "I guess it'll be alright," Carol conceded. "If it's not too much trouble, we'd like a ride. Thank you, Daryl." She bit her lip before extending her hand toward him. "I'm Carol, Carol Peletier and this is Sophia"

He gave a noncommittal grunt but motioned for them to follow as he led the way to his truck. Sophia bounded up to the passenger side but her mother hung back. "You don't hafta go," Daryl said softly. "I'm good either way."

She froze with her hand on the door and gave him an owl-eyed look. "I said we'd go." He gave another shrug and climbed inside, tapping his thumbs impatiently against the steering wheel as he waited for them to get in. Carol let Sophia go ahead of her before swinging the door shut behind her.

Daryl continued to stare out the window but finally looked in her direction. "Where to?" The simple question caught her off guard. Where to? Carol twisted her hands in her lap, her mind working frantically. A hotel would just about deplete her funds. She couldn't think, couldn't move. Sophia's face crumpled, strained and tight at the sight of her mother's distress. "Carol, where to?" Daryl repeated. She opened her mouth but no words came. She could only sit there, staring at her hands. Her head swiveled toward him, eyes wide as he cranked the motor. "Take it easy," he mumbled. "We've got a ways to go. You can sleep if you want."

Her brow furrowed questioningly as he put the truck in gear and rolled out of the lot. "Where are we going?"

He flicked a glance in her direction before staring out the window. "We're going home. Take it easy. We'll be there before long."

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She heard him moving around and eased her legs out from under the blankets, careful not to disturb Sophia. Making her way to the door, she eased it open and then peeked down the hallway. The soft drone of a TV was interspersed running water and the clanking of glassware against Formica. The insistent demands of her bladder forced her out of hiding and into the tight quarters of the bathroom across the way. It took a few minutes to wash her face and flatten her hair before she felt brave enough to face him. Stranger or not, he'd been there when she needed someone and she couldn't and wouldn't forget that.

He looked up as she entered and gestured toward the table where a plate heavy with eggs and toast rested beside a steaming mug of coffee. She sank gratefully into a chair and curled her fingers around the cup, taking advantage of the comforting warmth. He slouched against the counter, watching her warily. "Is she still asleep?"

Carol jumped at the unexpected question, hissing as the steaming brew sloshed over the rim and onto her hand. "She's still out like a light," she replied as she hastily dried her hand on the hem of her shirt. She jumped again as his fingers encircled her wrist and lifted it so that he could peer at her reddened skin. "It's okay really. Please. I'm fine."

Daryl looked at her silently but let go of her wrist and took his place back at the counter, arms folded across his chest. "Figured I'd get some hunting in. Won't be gone long." He waited for her nod before going to the back door, stopping to pick up a rucksack and a crossbow which he slung over his shoulder. He stopped in the doorway and looked over his shoulder almost shyly. "It ain't much but make yourself at home."

Carol hesitated but finally let the words out to the question she'd wanted to ask him when he first approached their table. "Why did you help us?"

Daryl stiffened and scuffed the toe of his boot on the floor before answering. "Dunno why. I just did." He toyed with the strap angled across his chest, avoiding her searching gaze. "I just did," he repeated stoutly, but remained in the door, waiting to see if she would accept it or would worry it like a kitten with a skein of yarn.

Carol stared into her coffee, biting back a thank you that she somehow knew would put his back up. She looked up just in time to see the door close behind him and couldn't help but smile at the fleeting glimpse of those ragged wings.

End part 1…..