Maggie Greene couldn't help it.

She had changed, that she knew for sure.

It began long before they arrived here in Alexandria Safe-Zone.

Maybe because they lost the prison. Or because she lost her beloved dad. Or maybe because they had seen so much death on their way here.

Or maybe it all happened because of Beth.

That must be it. Eventually it all comes to Beth, Maggie figured.

Losing her sister was kinda turning point. After that nothing was the same anymore.

Not even her relationship with Glenn.

Maggie felt guilty when she thought about him. Glenn was so sincere, so sweet, so very loyal. He followed her footsteps worriedly, tried desperately to help her through her sorrow. But he couldn't understand what was going on with her, not really.

Daryl Dixon was the only one who was able to understand it all fully and comprehensively.

Because he felt it too. The pain. The loss. The horrible emptiness now that Beth was gone.

Maggie inhaled and closed her eyes.

She was outside the wall of Alexandria now. She was carrying her gun, moving quickly and easily through the forest. She wasn't worried about the walkers now, not at all.

Maybe she would go back, maybe she wouldn't. She wasn't sure about anything anymore.

All that was safe and predictable was behind her. She had left the safety willingly, without hesitation.

Because this was the only way to meet the man who she needed now in private.

Unfortunately Glenn wasn't that man, not anymore.

Maggie felt sorry for him, but the feeling was distant and subdued somehow. Probably she still loved Glenn, but not the way she used to. That feeling - their deep, true connection - belonged to someone else. To woman Maggie was once, before she lost so much. Back in the days she was so upright, so self-confident. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong in this world.

Back then she needed the things Glenn was able to give her - equality, clemency, interaction.

The woman she had become clearly needed something else.

Roughness. Primitiveness. Dark passion.

The things only Daryl Dixon was able to give her the way she wanted.

Mere thought of him made Maggie shiver.

I'm a terrible person. An unfaithful, impudent slut, she told to herself mercilessly.

But she didn't care about that, not really.

The desire was so much stronger. It made her restless, it tormented her.

And it all started so innocently.

Both she and Daryl mourned, missed Beth desperately. Originally it was the sorrow that bound them together so tightly.

Maggie remembered their first and only time together all too well.

xxx

It was one of those hot, long days when the group wandered around the countryside without destination, without hope. Before the storm, before Aaron came to them.

She was sent to find Daryl. Once again he had left the group, and Maggie knew intuitively why. The hunter was looking for solitude all the time because he wanted to be alone - with his sorrow, his unbearable grief.

And now Maggie was deliberately disturbing him.

She found him by the empty, old barn.

Daryl was sitting on the ground head down, shoulders slumping. The crossbow was lying on the ground next to him. A picture of a numb, bereaved, defeated man.

Maggie stepped to him quietly, touched his muscular arm lightly. She could see that he had been crying. It touched her deeply. This strong, proud, undaunted survivor of the apocalypse had been crying because of her little sister.

"Hi, Daryl, Rick sent me to find you…", she started in a low tone.

"Damn it, why? Why can't ya people just leave me alone?" He snapped rudely, not looking at her.

Obviously he was on a very bad mood. Maybe because he truly wanted to be left alone. Also he was tired, hungry and thirsty like the rest of them.

And mostly because he had tried to hide his tears from all of them, Maggie realized.

"It's ok, Daryl. I get it. I miss her too." She said in a whisper.

The man glanced at her with empty eyes. His inner struggle, his pain, was written all over his face.

"She told me this would happen. She said that I will miss her when she is gone. And she was right, ya know. I miss her like crazy. She knew… somehow she knew what was going to happen. The same thing that will happen to all of us … sooner or later. She said to me that I will be the last man standing. But I don't feel like fighting, not anymore. " Daryl explained with pained eyes.

"Don't say that, Daryl! Beth would have wanted you to go on, to fight, to survive." Maggie replied harshly.

But to no avail.

"Really? Why? We all are lost nonetheless. The hope, the joy ... those things died with her. I don't really care what happens to us next. Do ya?" The hunter asked quietly and looked aside.

His lifeless, quiet tone scared Maggie. The hunter had always been so indomitable, so strong. Never before had she seen Daryl like this, not even after Merle's death.

He truly cared for Beth. Maybe too much. Maybe he really doesn't want to go on anymore, Maggie realized horrified.

She had to do something to help Daryl. Anything. In this rude new world with the walkers it was dangerous to be so lost, so numb, so passive. They couldn't afford that kind of depression.

So Maggie kneeled on the ground next to him. Daryl didn't even look at her. He couldn't care less.

How to help a man who doesn't want to feel anything anymore, Maggie thought and put her hand gently on Daryl's wide shoulder.

The hunter didn't respond to her gesture.

Maggie could think about one thing only. The only thing she could give him in these circumstances. The thing that had always comforted her and Glenn, even in the darkest times.

Deep, physical connection.

I shouldn't. It's wrong. But… I don't want to lose Daryl too. The group couldn't take it, not now. I couldn't take it, Maggie suddenly realized.

So she inhaled and tried not to think about Glenn. Or Beth. Or the rest of the group. She had to try this. It was the only way.

"Daryl…" She said quietly and swallowed.

The hunter turned to look at her indifferently.

Maggie stared at him in the eyes. Then she smiled at Daryl nervously and started to unbutton her shirt.

The hunter blinked - he just couldn't believe what was happening. But clearly he was finally thinking about something else than giving up, Maggie told to herself and continued boldly.

"Maggie, what the hell?" Daryl retorted clueless.

She didn't mind his stunned expression nor his angry tone. No, the front of her shirt was completely open now.

Maggie was aware of how dirty and sweaty she was, but she didn't care about it, no.

She put her hands boldly on her bra and did something unexpected. Very slowly, deliberately she rolled the cups down baring her luscious breasts - even her hard, round nipples.

Daryl moved a bit feeling awkward and forced himself to look aside.

"Ain't funny, Maggie!" He snapped.

"Ain't supposed to be." She replied quietly and squeezed her nipple lightly between her fingertips so that it became even harder. She truly wanted his full attention. And she got it.

Daryl obviously tried to fight it, but he couldn't keep his eyes off her.

"I know you need something different. Something like this … now. Don't deny it, Daryl Dixon." Maggie said in a whisper.

"Shit, Maggie, don't do this. It's wrong, it's stupid. You're with Glenn, ya miss your sister, you're as lost as I'm, we should get back to the others…" Daryl finally mumbled and turned his head, took his crossbow and stood up.

But even though he tried very hard to hide it he was intrigued, aroused. Despite his reserved, rigid nature Daryl Dixon was just a man.

Maggie was experienced enough to notice things like that.

So she stood up too and stared at him shamelessly, standing very close to him.

"No, Daryl. You have to feel alive first. Take me to the barn. I'll make you feel good, I promise. Let's do it once - here and now - no one needs to know about it."

Maggie could see how the expression on Daryl's face changed. The indifference disappeared. It was replaced by raw lust.

"I'm warning ya, Maggie. Don't … tempt me like this. You're playing with fire. I bet I'm nothing like Glenn. I'm not sophisticated or polite like those rich assholes you used to date back in the days. So stop this, girl, before it's too late." He hissed, clearly struggling with himself.

Maggie shook her head.

"I don't want you to be like someone else. I want you to be … you. Also I want to help you. This is the best way, trust me."

"I haven't been with a woman in a very long time, Maggie. If we do this… it won't be gentle or romantic." Daryl said in a low tone.

"This is not about romance, Daryl. Take me … just the way you want. I'm a grown woman, I can handle it." Maggie said in a whisper.

Finally Daryl let go. Time for the talk was over.

He took her hand and pulled her closer without a word. Together they entered the barn.

It was quiet and dark inside. Maggie could smell the hay in the air - memory of past summers.

Daryl started to kiss her neck and breasts greedily. He avoided her lips instinctively - maybe because he had seen Glenn kissing Maggie gently on the lips so many times. Daryl was more interested in other parts of her body now. He didn't even try to restrain himself anymore.

Neither of them wanted to analyze or moralize this any longer. It was all about a man, a woman and their overwhelming need.

They found a pile of hay nearby and a rough, old blanket. Good enough for a temporary bed.

Daryl pulled Maggie's jeans and panties down and opened his own zipper. Maggie spread her legs and welcomed him. At first helping Daryl had been her aim but now - lying under him - she truly and genuinely wanted him.

As promised - it wasn't romantic, slow or beautiful.

Daryl went straight to the point. He placed himself on top of her and entered her straight away.

Maggie groaned. She was surprised by his size.

Daryl was clearly bigger than any man she had ever slept with.

Luckily she was already open and wet, so she was able to enjoy the feeling.

Filled. Stretched. Completely full.

She arched her back breathing heavily and fondled his shoulders and sides lightly.

Daryl's thrusts were deep.

"Maggie..." He mumbled absently into her ear.

She didn't even try to protest his primitiveness. She had offered her body for him willingly. She was ready for this. He didn't hurt her, not a bit.

She knew that Daryl needed something like this badly. Something that would make him feel alive again. If she could help him with her body, fine. She started to squeak.

Daryl was already close to his release. His pace quickened, he bit her neck. In the end shot his load deep into her with a growl.

Maggie followed him to the top without shame. She hadn't felt this good in ages.

They stayed entwined for a few seconds, then Daryl left her body and organized his clothes quickly. Maggie did the same quickly and severely.

They both felt warm and relaxed. But now - when the pleasure was over - they couldn't help but to feel a bit guilty too.

"I have never slept with another man's woman … before this I mean." Daryl noted in a low tone.

Maggie touched his arm consolingly.

"It's ok. You… we needed this. Maybe Glenn would understand." She replied hopefully.

Daryl shook his head.

"No he wouldn't. He could kill me for this. Can't blame him. He loves ya so much." Daryl noted simply.

After that there was nothing left to say.

They left the barn in silence, not proud of what they did, not looking at each other.

And the next day Aaron found them and brought them all to Alexandria.

xxx

I was a fool, Maggie figured now, while walking through the forest.

I really thought we could do something like that without consequences.

But it turned out that sin isn't an easy thing to forget.

In some ways she succeeded though. Daryl's head was back in the game again. But the other things… weren't so easy anymore. Living in the shared house for example.

Daryl spent as much time as possible on the porch in order to avoid Glenn and Maggie.

He didn't want to see them together anymore. Instinctively Maggie knew it.

Also her relationship with Glenn had changed fundamentally. The young man sensed it but he thought her losses were the reason for the change. Probably they were part of it, but most of all it happened because of guilt… and lust.

Whenever Glenn tried to get close to her, Maggie rejected him.

I don't know what really happened in the barn that day… because ever since Daryl Dixon has been the only man I can think about, she admitted to herself.

The previous night had been the worst.

Glenn had wanted to sleep with her for days. Maggie knew it, and eventually she felt that she just couldn't say no anymore. They both were clean and relaxed now, they had eaten properly - saying no repeatedly was starting to seem weird. Maggie wanted to avoid an awkward conversation with Glenn at this point, so finally she gave up and did what was expected of her.

Glenn was happy about it, she was not. She tried to reach the top, but she failed.

And in the end she suddenly realized that the window was open.

Daryl is still on the porch. He can hear us, she realized horrified and stiffened.

Glenn sensed it and glanced at her surprised.

Afterwards Maggie stepped to the porch. She just couldn't stay away. As expected Daryl was waiting for her in the darkness. He was strained and distant, like a caged animal. Obviously he didn't like it here in Alexandria - partly because of the mess I created, Maggie realized feeling guilty.

He stepped closer. The situation was tense, and yet she couldn't help but to feel excited.

His mere presence affected on her that way these days.

"Tomorrow morning. Meet me under the large oak tree. Ya know the place I'm sure. We have to … talk." Daryl said in a hoarse whisper.

Maggie nodded. She knew already that she would be there.

The morning came and here she was, in the forest. A man with a crossbow was already waiting for her under the large tree.

To be continued...?

xxxx

AN:

The idea of this story popped into my head after the episode 13 (Forget). I'm not sure what to think about Alexandria yet.

However - this is my first attempt to write about a love triangle. Poor Glenn! :-(

The question is - does it work? Are you interested to read more? If so, I'll continue. Please let me know - review and follow.

xoxoxo,

SandyBell