⟴

The more repetitive Jay's routine becomes the more her days seem go blend together. Before she knows it, the geeks have been walking around for over a month.

Glenn's starting to bring less and less back from Atlanta, last time he came back he mentioned it being more and more geeks to avoid. The Dixons have to go out hunting for longer periods of time to bring back even less food.

She doesn't tell Danny, but at this point she's doubting that the military will ever come, despite Shane's insistence that everything will work out. No one's said so yet, but she can tell that she's not alone in her thoughts.

Still, Jay does what she's supposed to. She wakes up early enough to keep the kids occupied in the mornings so the moms can have a much deserved break, and pretends she doesn't hear Merle's crude remarks about her ass (though thats more to save Danny from beating his ass than anything else).

She's perfectly balanced laundry and joking around, and spends her evenings doing art with Sofia (occasionally Carl too if the boy doesn't get bored and sneak off).  Before dinner she usually plays card games with Jacqui, Dale, and Tdog. After dinner she talks videogames and sci-fi with Glenn, happy that someone is finally as big a geek as she is.

She glares daggers at Ed Peletier whenever she gets the fucking chance because she swears shes heard him growling obscenities early in the morning when nobody else is awake but her and the moon, and she knows he's intimidating Carol so much the woman shuts down when Jay tries to offer her a tent. She hasn't approached him yet because the last thing she wants to do is put Carol and Sophia in more danger, the thing she misses the most from life before is some way to keep them safe from him.

In the tent, she talks to Danny about nothing at all until he falls asleep. It's when she's alone that she spends hours thinking about both the monsters walking around Georgia and the monster she's always been haunted by.

⟴

Today's dinner isn't particularly appetizing. Squirrels are never appetizing, but at least most days she doesn't have to worry about rationing that food. Merle doesn't even bother pretending to be a human being long enough to sit and bless them with his stench, he just takes way more meat then he needs before strolling back to wherever he and and his little brother sleep. He makes a comment about Amy and Andrea being invited to share with him, and is almost immediately told to fuck off by the oldest sister.

Daryl doesn't say anthing to apologize on Merle's behalf, but he does come back and leave a portion of the meat Merle took. Danny has a theory that the man can only speak in grunts.

Group dinner is unusually quiet. Just everyone cursing Merle Dixon's name and laughing in agreement.

"He think's he's the shit because we only got meat right now." Tdog winces through a particularly tough bite of food. "Once Glenn finds canned goods store or somethin', he'll be begging for some."

"Yeah, when that day comes. Maybe we'll be lucky enough that he'll leave us the hell alone after." Jacqui says mockingly, the group chuckles in response.

"I been meaning to talk to you Glenn," Shane says suddenly, making said man stop looking into space. "What you think about taking a group out there with you? 'Think it's possible or no?"

"I mean, I guess it's possible. Why?" Glenn gulps, visibly uncomfortable with all eyes on him.

"I figure y'all can carry more stuff. Maybe it'll keep you safer too, won't be just you out there with the walkers." Shane suggests and takes a sip of his water.

"I mean, I guess." Glenn starts to submit before frowning and shaking his head. "I know my way through the city though. And I'm quick and light on my feet. More people is a bigger target and more noise. I can get in and out without one of them seeing me most of the time."

"Good point." Shane smiles and rubs his head, "We can talk 'bout it in the morning." He decides, and the conversation moves on to something else.

⟴

"Jay! Do you have a minute?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Jay responds without missing a beat, Danny's raised eyebrow and careful observation going unnoticed.

"I wanted to give you this." Glenn thrusts something he's holding into her hands, "I found it on my run earlier."

  "A sketchbook?" Jay looks, her hand moving to rub over the book's leather cover. She opens the book and flips through the blank pages and gasps. "I hope you ain't go through any extra trouble for this."

"I was just in the area and remembered you mentioned something about art supplies. It's not a big deal or anything." Glenn says with a sweet smile, Jay's cheeks get warm and they both break eye contact.

"This is so sweet. Thank you, Glenn." She grins, affectionately gazing at the sketchbook.

"It's no problem- uh, goodnight!" He does an awkard turn and speeds away from her. Jay watches him leave before turning and finding Danny's shit-eating grin.

"So, you and Glenn huh?" Danny asks as they walk back to the tent, the tone of his voice let's Jay know he's about to be annoying.

"What are you talking about?"

"Y'all been real buddy-buddy lately. Just saying."

"Man, don't even start." Jay groans, she knows nothing she says will stop the incoming tease-fest.

"I get it, he has that whole nerdy thing going on. Way too nice for you though, figured you'd go for one of the Dixons." He jokes.

"Imma kick your ass, Danny." She threatens emptily as she unzips the tent. "Stop acting like I ain't seen you flirting with Amy."

"You can't say that when you also flirt with Amy!"

"So? She's a good flirt. I'm not the one all soft talking to her in spanish all the time." Jay smiles, "You know the girls are suckers for your spanish."

"Stop changing the subject." He says too quickly, basically admitting defeat. "I think Glenn would be good for you. He's a sweet guy. I know because you called him sweet with your girly voice just a second ago."

"We're friendly. It's–" Jay pauses to stare at the fresh art supplies she's laid out beside her and gives a soft smile. "I barely know him. It's not the time for all that right now."

Danny groans and she thinks she can physically hear his eyes rolling. "Being happy is not gon' kill you, girl."

The teasing ends there, because the man passes out as soon as his head hits his pillow. Jay stays up a little longer, sketching out Glenn's face in the low lantern light.

For the first time in a long time, when she actually goes to sleep, she sleeps easily through the night, dreaming of nothing at all.

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