Thank you all so much for supporting my story, and forgiving the lack of finishing. You all are awesome.
"So you were a child and left in the woods for over a week? Why didn't Child Protective Services get called in?" Emory was appalled at this glimpse into Daryl's childhood.
"Shit! That's even worse than being in the woods," Daryl snorted.
"Are you kidding me?" Emory shook her head.
"If ya ain't lived it, you cain't understand. The point is that I found my way back, with just an itchy ass. Made myself a sandwich and went to bed," Daryl finished.
"That story sucks. I would abandon any dreams of writing children's
Books...unless maybe The Brother's Grimm market?" Emory still couldn't believe he'd grown up like that. Emory knew she'd had a privileged upbringing but she'd never truly understood just how lucky she'd been.
"Why ya keep doing that? Acting like I'd ever write a book. I barely read," Daryl turned to stare at her.
"Why do you keep putting youself down? Are you some kind of compliment whore? Needing me to keep telling you how great you are?" Emory stomped her foot and trying to act annoyed.
"Stop it. I know yer just tryin' ta piss me off!" Daryl turned around to face her.
"Well all this bullshit about how inferior you are is starting to piss me off," Emory refused to back down.
Daryl wanted to yell at her...scream that she had no idea about anything. Instead he backed down.
"Come on... I saw something up ahead," Daryl walked away.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
"Well that was pleasant," Emory snapped sarcastically as they both walked away from the 'human pinata'.
"I didn't think you'd be such a baby," Daryl taunted her.
"Yeah, well a person can only see so much before it gets to them," Emory tried to moisten her mouth with her saliva.
"I told ya summa my shit. Ya gonna tell me yours?" Daryl suddenly turned to ask.
"What?" Emory could hardly breathe.
"Like how it is ya can shoot better'n Shane? How ya recognized Merle's 'blue'?" Daryl asked and Emory gasped. Damn, he was observant.
"If I tell you, do I have your word?" Emory swallowed. Daryl simply nodded.
"After I got my degree, the FBI came to me. Convinced me I could make a difference," Emory laughed wryly at the memory...at her naiveté.
"I'd been working on a meth smuggling operation which is why I recognized the "blue". That lead us to an even higher nik of money laundering. Its why I was in Atlanta." It felt good to finally be able to talk to someone.
"Why didn't ya ever tell Rick?" Daryl wondered, figuring she'd be given a degree of respect that the two cops tended to hold for just themselves.
"Everything was happening so fast and crazy at first...and then it just never seemed the right time. I mean, does it even matter anymore?" Emory sighed.
Daryl pulled her back up the embankment and again she was pulled chest to chest. Emory sighed into Daryl's mouth. And it hit her like a ton of bricks.
I want him!
"Uhhmm, I'm tired," she finally managed to croak out, hating how breathless he made her.
"Try to get some sleep," she pulled him along with her, unable to stop her fingers from twining with his again, almost instinctively as if her fingers had a will of their own.
Daryl let himself be pulled along by Emory, giving himself a moment to be pulled anywhere by a gorgeous woman. While nobody could see and give him shit.
Emory settled back on the folded down dinette then looked down at Daryl lying on his pallet on the floor.
"Get your stubborn behind up here! I know you're exhausted," Emory reached her hand to pull him.
For an instant she thought he'd argue. But after a moment, he huffed then he lifted himself up and lay beside her on the dinette cushions.
"Night," Emory reached her hand to touch his shoulder.
"Night," Daryl answered. And he closed his eyes and slept. Better than he had in ages.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Emory woke up the instant the morning light began to shine on her face. She looked around to get her bearings and noticed Daryl was already gone. Still, she remembered how his warmth radiated against her all night. How safe she felt.
She took a few minutes to tidy up and fold the dinette back then left the RV to go find Daryl who was already awake and patrolling the length of highway.
"Any sign of Sophia yet?" Emory asked Daryl. Daryl didn't acknowledge her at first. But eventually he just shook his head 'No', unable to hide his disappointment. But then his protective shield reappeared.
"Maybe those folks that have Carl also have Sophia? Makes sense?" Emory couldn't understand it, but she hated seeing this tear Daryl up. Becoming his burden to bear.
"Yeah, s'pose yer right. 'Sides we cain't leave our asses hangin' out on this highway any longer." Daryl accepted the reality ... with typical Dixon reluctance.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Emory drove T-Dog's truck (they'd abandoned her BMW rental long ago) and followed behind Daryl's bike and Dale's RV. She looked around at the unspoiled beauty... the farm's green pastures which seemed nearly surreal after the all horror they'd seen.
Daryl locked not one, but two gates behind them. As she looked out over the lush green land, she could almost believe this part of Earth had somehow been left miraculously unscathed.
The farmhouse was larger than it first appeared from the long driveway. it had large airy porches all around and multiple fireplaces. She pinched herself just in case she was dreaming ...or already dead.
As soon as she pulled to a stop, she raced out to greet Rick and Lori who descended the front steps of the three-story farmhouse to greet everyone. Hugs were given and welcomed, while everyone waited anxiously for news of Carl.
"Carl's gonna live. Thanks to Hershel and his people," Lori hugged Emory last and Emory could feel her thin frame still trembling.
"And Shane. Carl's alive thanks to Shane," Rick added rather awkwardly. Emory glanced over at Shane who seemed a completely different man. His head was shaved and he was wearing faded denim overalls seventeen sizes too large. And Shane was unable to look her in the eye.
"Hershel said we can set up over by those trees," Rick explained once the greetings and explanations were done.
"Why not by the barn? Or even in the barn?" Emory asked, thinking it was obviously the safest place and could even offer them added protection.
"Hershel thinks we're safer closer to the house. His land! His call!" Rick insisted, already more beholden to the Greenes than he could ever repay.
"Fine, whatever," Emory shrugged and moved to go get her tent but Rick stopped them all.
"They lost a man. Otis! He went with Shane to go get the surgical supplies except he didn't make it back. We're having a service shortly," Rick explained solemnly, expecting everyone to show their respects and be there.
Emory just frowned as she absorbed the news. Instead of pondering the strange feeling in her gut that something was awry with that story, she just swallowed it. With a shrug she grabbed her gear and began setting up her tent.
She was nearly halfway done when she felt his presence. She looked over and Daryl was kneeling opposite her, nailing in her tent stakes.
"Hurry up," he growled but his tone was softer than usual. "Sounds like we got us another funeral."
Daryl wasn't sure why he needed to help her, to talk to her...hell, just be around her. But he did.
"Hey Daryl! Wait up!" Emory hurried to catch up with him.
"Whatcha want?" Daryl shrugged to face her.
"First of all, thanks for helping me with my tent. Second, I just was wondering if you feel it too? Something's off...I don't know...hinky?" Emory had learned a long time ago to trust her instincts. And she also trusted Daryl's.
Daryl scowled and stared back at her, absorbing her words. His blue eyes appeared cautious, but she could see his agile brain spinning.
"Hinky...Yeah, that sounds 'bout right," was all Daryl said. Then together they joined the others under the tree to mourn Otis.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
"Carol? Have you seen Daryl?" Emory stepped into up the RV. The Greene's had been kind enough to let them use their showers as they still had hot water so most of the others were waiting in line for a turn.
Still, it was getting close to dark and she hadn't seen Daryl yet (who could stand to get first in that shower line). Then it hit her that she was worried ...about Daryl Dixon.
"Yes. He left just a little bit ago. He was out looking for Sophia all day and came upon a house with a cupboard where a small child had been sleeping recently. He brought me that flower," Carol's voice hitched and then she started crying again.
"Oh! That was incredibly thoughtful," Emory soothed as she scooted to sit by Carol and hug her. Truth was, with each passing day hope diminished.
"Emory. He's a good man," Carol stopped her tears and her voice became firm.
"Of course he is," Emory agreed automatically, unsure of where this was going.
"Em, he's had a bad start to life but there's more to him. He has a tender heart," Carol pointed out. "Be gentle with it!"
"Carol, he brought YOU flowers," Emory reminded the woman.
"We both know it wasn't a romantic gesture," Carol's eyes clouded.
"You don't know that!" Emory protested.
"Yea, I do. But I think he might have some romantic feelings for you," Carol nudged. Emory now knew where Carol was going with this.
"Are you trying to play matchmaker?" Emory tried to make fun of Carol's astute observations.
"Cause if you are, you suck at it. Daryl has made it rather apparent that he has no romantic interest in me," Emory countered, trying to lighten things up.
"Em. You're so good for him. And he's really good for you," Carol dried her eyes as she spoke.
"Maybe we should just see how things go," Was all Emory could say and Carol didn't object. Emory left Carol alone with her Cherokee Rose.
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
Emory needed to walk. To take a break from all the drama. Carol. Lori and Shane and Rick. Sophia. Carl. It was exhausting and heartbreaking and more than she could take.
She didn't want to feel all this...raw pent-up emotion. So much pain and hurt. If she could, she would just turn it all off. Care for nobody! Just survive no matter what.
She'd been able to do it back when she was working. But then, she'd had a handler and a support team to tell her what was what. Things were black and white.
She walked the perimeter, eventually venturing off into the forest...intrigued by the faint trickling sound of water. As if on autopilot she followed it, finding a serene little spring-fed pond with a waterfall streaming down into it. In all this horror, there was still this little slice of heaven.
She sat down behind a rock and before she knew it, just began sobbing. For all of it. The losses. Her fears just from day to day living. Sophia. Amy. The heartbreak and hopelessness. The neverending sadness.
After Emory finally cried herself out, the idea of rinsing off a days worth of grime in that beautiful water was too much to resist. It wasn't as nice as a hot shower...or maybe it was better she figured as she embraced the privacy of her solitude. She looked around for walkers then shimmied out of her pants and threw her t-shirt onto the pile. Then she dove into the cool water in nothing but her white lace panties and bra.
Daryl sucked in a shocked breath. He'd seen her crumple and cry and he decided he'd watch over her while she lost it...feeling too awkward to go over and attempt to comfort her. But he'd never expected her to slip off her damn clothes.
He'd tried to look away...he really had, but he'd been wondering what she looked like under those clothes for a long time. Her skin was taut and golden brown with long lean legs and shapely hips. She'd developed a tan where her tank top hit making her arms slightly darker than the rest of her.
He refused to believe he was some pervert but still he felt guilty. He watched over her as she undid her hair, letting her dark hair, which now glinted with golden highlights in the late afternoon sun, flow around her in the water. He watched her swim to the small waterfall then stand beneath it and let the water wash over her and scrub her clean. And then her eyes opened, immediately spotting him.
"Daryl Dixon! That's so unfair," she jumped back into the water so only her head was visible.
"Hurry the fuck up and get out. S'dangerous," Daryl yelled.
"What's dangerous is you going one more minute without washing!" She swam over to the edge, as far as she could without letting him see her body.
"Think I'd just as soon take a hot shower back at the Greene's," Daryl blushed at the thought of joining her under the waterfall. Fuck Lord, he wanted to. But that could only ever happen in his fantasies at night after his subconscious took over.
"Fine...Wimp," Emory sighed and swam closer. "You probably already saw me half naked, but would you mind turning around?" Emory asked him to at least give her some dignity.
Daryl didn't protest, he just did as she asked, still remembering the sight of her nearly naked under that waterfall...committing it to his memory.
Emory scampered for her clothes and quickly put them back on, doing her damnedest to not be embarrassed that he'd seen her. Or was she more embarrassed that he saw her and still refused to join her?
"Come on. Lets just get back," Daryl lead the way, only barely waiting up for her.
"Hey Daryl? What you did for Carol today! That was ...a real fine thing!" And before he could flinch away, she leaned up to press a soft kiss on his cheek. Then she rushed up ahead to lead the way, her bra and panties dampening her shirt and jeans.
"Are you looking at my ass?" Emory turned and paused. She stared at him after a few dozen steps.
"Already seen it," Daryl snapped back, pretending to be unaffected. Truth was, he enjoyed her ass the whole way back. As well as the memory of Emory nearly naked under that waterfall..
TWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWDTWD
The next day Emory joined Carol and Lori to wash clothes. Andrea however decided she was done washing clothes and was more accustomed to sitting on the RV with a gun. Emory and Carol were fine with it but it clearly irked Lori.
"Daryl went out again to find Sophia," Carol said, her face glowing with pride.
"He'll find her" Emory wasn't sure how she said it with a straight face, but she did. Carol nodded but it was getting harder for them both to pretend.
"Yeah, he will," Carol smiled an almost drugged smile. "He's just working so hard. He's already done more for her than Ed ever did in her whole life."
But while Carol seemed nearly serene, Emory was a bundle of nerves with each passing hour that Daryl didn't come back. She carried her basket of damp clothes to the clothesline and started hanging clothes in the afternoon sun.
"Walker!" Emory heard Andrea scream, watching the immediate flurry of activity, particularly amongst Shane, Rick, Glenn and T-Dog who were now racing across the field.
"What's going on?" Carol asked as she and Lori came running to her.
"Andrea saw a walker," Emory shrugged and raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Hershel's supposed to handle walkers," Lori insisted. Just then a gunshot crackled through the air.
"Andrea!" Emory screamed. This could get them kicked off Hershel's farm. Damn her! She ran towards the RV just as Hershel and Maggie came running out of the house screaming.
Emory saw Rick gesticulating and jumping wildly, screaming No. Then Andrea jumped off the RV and ran across the field.
"Shit. What did she do?" She raced Andrea across the field.
Then she saw what all the commotion was about. Andrea shot Daryl and it was just Rick and Shane holding him up.
"Is he ok?" Andrea screamed as she ran.
"Unconscious. Just grazed him," Rick explained, snatching the ear necklace from Daryl's neck and shoving it in his shirt before Hershel could see.
"You shot him?" Emory felt her blood boil. "You fucking shot him?" Emory ran full blast into Andrea, knocking her to the ground then punched her and would have kept punching, if T-Dog hadn't pulled her off and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Everything after that just became a blur.
