The group was invited to a welcome party. Everyone went. Well, nearly everyone.

Daryl watched them through the window, laughing and talking, mingerling. Having fun. He watched from behind a tree outside, feet shuffling and heart tightening with the idea of entering the house.

He huffed, cursing himself for being so pathetic, and walked away. He didn't really know where he was heading, just walking through the streets of a place he didn't really know.

"Daryl." His name caught his attention and he saw Aaron outside his front door. He waved at him. "Hey."

Daryl frowned, "Thought you were going to that party over there."

"Oh, I was never going to go 'cause of Eric's ankle, thank God." Aaron smirked.

His frown deepened. "Why the hell did you tell me to go, then?"

"I said try. You did." He shrugged. "It's a thought that counts thing."

Daryl rolled his eyes. "All right." He was about to keep on walking when Aaron called for him once more.

"Hey, come in." He offered. "Have some dinner." Seeing Daryl's hesitance, he bribed, "Come on, man. It's some pretty serious spaghetti."

Still apprehensive, Daryl stared a few more seconds - then Aaron said something that made him accept his offer of food.

"It's just me, Eric and Frankie. No big crowds."

"Frankie?"

"Yeah. She comes for dinner every so often." Aaron's eyes narrowed, a little angry, "Is that a problem?"

"Nah. I met her a few times already. She's good." He explained, going up Aaron's porch steps.

Aaron nodded, accepting the statement and going back to his charming self. "Great! Come on in! We've just set the table."

Entering the house, Daryl instantly thought that he made a big mistake. It was a warm cozy clean house - everything Daryl wasn't - so he felt like a fish out of water. He was guided towards the dining room when he saw Eric at the table's head, his ankle resting on the chair beside him. Next to the chair Eric's foot was on, sat Frankie. She was wearing a large sweater which had a frog on the front. It was well worn and torn at the collar, telling Daryl that she wore it often and it was well loved. Her short hair was shining as if it had just been washed and when she spotted Daryl enter, she sent him a tiny grin in welcome. It made Daryl's stomach squirm a little - he must be hungrier than he thought.

"I invited another guest for dinner." Aaron announced, gently pushing Daryl to the chair opposite Frankie, "Eric, this is Daryl. And Frankie, Daryl said he already met you."

Frankie nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Daryl." Eric said, "Please, make yourself comfortable."

"I'll get you a plate." Aaron said to Daryl before going out the side door.

Frankie and Eric already had their dinners but it was untouched, like they were expecting Daryl.

As soon as the plate of spaghetti was in front of him, he took his fork and shoved the biggest mouth full of the stuff, slurping it up. Aaron and Eric looked amused at each other, getting a hold of their own forks to join in. Frankie smiled bigger at the action and quickly put her head down to hide it. They ate in silence for a moment before Aaron and Eric started talking amongst themselves.

Eric looked to Daryl shovelling his food in. "Enjoying your food, Daryl?"

"It's good." He said with his mouth full.

Aaron added, "Y'know, Frankie grew the tomatoes and herbs for our dinner."

Daryl looked to Frankie, who shrugged. "It's my job." She muttered.

"A job you do very well, my dear." Eric complimented, making her roll her eyes.

"And you can shrug all you want but we know how much you enjoy it too." Aaron smirked, then turned to Daryl, "Do you do any gardening, Daryl?"

The hunter shook his head. "Nah. Ain't got much of a green thumb." Daryl's eyes then met Frankie's mixed ones. Her lips slanted in a crooked grin. He quickly went back to eating, eyes down, cheeks pink.

Eric then spoke up. "Mmm, speaking of jobs - when you're out there, if you happen to be in a store or something, Mrs. Neudermyer is really looking for a pasta maker. And we're all really trying to get her to shut up about it." He looked to Aaron who suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I mean, we have crates of dried pasta in here, but she wants to make her own or something. I really think she just wants something to talk about, so..." Eric narrowed his eyes at his lover, seeing the discomfort growing. "I-If you see one out on your travels, it would go a long way to..." Aaron's startled face made Eric stop and sigh. "I thought it was done. You didn't ask him already?"

Daryl raised an eyebrow. "Ask me what?"

Aaron wiped his mouth with his napkin then stood. "Come with me. I've gotta show you something."

Daryl quickly ate the rest of his food then followed Aaron out and into the garage. Car and bike parts were thrown everywhere, along with some other engineering equipment.

"When I got this place, there was that frame and some parts and equipment. Whoever lived here built them." Aaron explained.

Daryl looked over the parts, "It's a lot of parts for one bike."

"Whenever I came across any parts out there, I brought them back. I didn't know what I'd need. I always thought I'd learn how to do it, but I get the feeling you already know what to do with it." He leaned against the wall, arms folded. "And the thing is, you're going to need a bike."

"Why?"

"I told Deanna not to give you a job because I think I have one for you. I'd like you to be Alexandria's other recruiter. I don't want Eric risking his life anymore."

"You want me risking mine, right?"

"Yeah, because you know what you're doing." Aaron said, stepping towards him, "You're good out there. But you don't belong out there. I know it's hard getting used to people getting used to you. And I understand right now you need to be out there sometimes. So do I. But the main reason why I want you to help me recruit is because you do know the difference between a good person and a bad person."

Daryl looked around at all the bike and car parts, the engineering tools. Holding them, inspecting them. He then nodded a single nod of agreement. "I got nothing else to do."

Aaron smiled. "Thanks."

"Yeah. I'll get you some rabbits."

Aaron laughed. "Great." He went to leave the hunter to his curious rummaging when he was stopped.

"Hey. Can I ask ya somethin'?"

Aaron turned back at Daryl. "Sure."

"Is Frankie- Does Frankie-" Daryl couldn't get the words out, leaving him huffing in frustration. "I mean, what's the deal with the others callin' her 'Frankenstein'? Ain't right man."

Aaron smiled sadly. "I know. Me and Eric have complained over and over to Deanna but... Frankie says she doesn't care and that she can ignore it but I know it hurts her. She's been through a lot, Daryl." His eyes grew watery. "I'm the one who found her."

Daryl frowned. "Found her?"

Aaron took a deep breath to ready himself. "A few months ago. I was looking for people when I came across this shed. I went in and... there she was." He coughed the lump in his throat. "Strung up by her arms like a cow after slaughter. Naked. Bleeding. Black and blue. Her face..." He took a shaky inhale. "H-Her entire face was sliced open. I thought she was dead." Daryl felt his anger rise, hands turning into fists at his side as Aaron continued. "I touched her neck to check for a pulse and she started to thrash and scream. I brought her here for treatment and..." He rubbed his forehead and eyes to rid his anguish. "She hasn't told me the whole story but the things she did tell... was enough to send shivers down your spine."

"Mm."

Seeing Daryl's rage boiling, Aaron's voice turned soft yet firm. "If you wanna get to know her more, you just gotta be patient. She doesn't trust very easily."

Daryl took in the words for a moment then nodded. "Thanks."

Aaron turned to leave again, this time he stopped himself to call over his shoulder. "And Daryl?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't hurt her."

Daryl noticed the underline threat in his voice and promised, "I won't."