(Well I got requests *super happy face* so I have made a sequel as promised
p.s thanks go to Moonlight4eva and all the other posts I got, thanks guys!
"Hurry up old man you're makin' me look bad!" Ray yelled to Merle as she lounged on her bike.
"I'm comin' I'm comin' don't get yer panties in a bunch."
Glenn had said the upper side of the city was thick with traffic and nothing but a couple of bikes could get through and with them being the only ones that could ride were forced to volunteer. Ray was thrilled by this if she didn't get out of the camp soon she feared that Georgia would get hurt. The apocalypse skank showed up with some others the morning after Daryl and Ray spent the night together. It wasn't the way the woman put herself out it was the way she insulted Daryl. He was too good to ever hit a woman but a few times he had to disappear into the woods for a while. She was the only one who took up for him Merle was working too hard trying to get in her pants which probably worked.
"Be careful honey." Her mother hugged her not wanting to let her go out in the city with Merle.
"I'll be fine mom."
Daryl threw his bow over his shoulder and looked over to his brother getting on the Triumph while Ray pulled on her jacket. She caught his gaze and smirked putting up her hands to act like a megaphone.
"Hey Dixon you need any bolts?"
"Nah, some stringin' grease if ya can find it, keep an eye on Merle!"
"No worries I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
Merle rolled his eyes and yanked the back pack out of Glenn's hands when Glenn tried to give him the list he jerked his thumb over to ray, "Give the woman the list."
"Thanks Mer." She rolled her eyes back at him, "I better have squirrel to come home to tonight!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
They rode off expected to be home in a few hours but that passed it was near sundown and there still wasn't any sign of them returning. Daryl was getting antsy he took to biting his thumb nail with Rem, he had finally been able to learn Rayna's mother's name. The two sat side by side on a log facing the fence shooting nervous glances at each other. Funny, he felt like he was picking her up on a first date waiting for her to finish getting ready while her mother interviewed him. Because really she was interviewing him, the fear of her daughter not coming back overrode her fear of Daryl.
"How old are you?"
"Thirty four."
"You know my daughter is sixteen."
"Yes ma'am."
More thumb chewing, "It's weird before all this you would have been the type I wanted for her."
Daryl's head shot to the side to stare at her, what? Him? Why?
"Your face says that you are asking why and I'll tell you: she isn't like me when I was her age she needs a man to fit her and I want someone who's hard working and loyal to her. You seem to be both i don't know if you look at her like a little sister or a friend but I can accept a relationship with you two."
A small pause followed this as the sound of approaching tires filled the air making everyone relax.
"Thank you ma'am." He sighed before getting up with Rem and jogging over to the two.
They realized what took them so long, small flat beds were attached to the end of each bike both loaded with supplies ranging from food to hygiene products. Ray handed Glen the list with a sheepish smile.
"I kinda went a little over board but Merle found these flat beds so we decided to just load up."
Shane was clearly impressed and smacked ray on the back while the shotgun was sitting over his other shoulder. Rick was also smiling and nodded approvingly as she hugged her mother and Merle threw Daryl a tube of string grease.
"Nice job Rayna you too Merle."
"Thanks Rick now if you'll excuse I'm gonna stuff my face with anything I can find." She walked off headed straight for the grill where squirrels were cooking.
Daryl jogged up by her, "Yer mama and I had a talk while ya were gone."
"Bout what?" she pulled a whole one off that was on a stick and ripped a piece of its back off.
"Said I'd be a good man for ya."
Here she smiled wiping squirrel grease off her lips, "I knew she liked you."
The moment was sweet both just smiling at each other until Georgia's nasally voice broke it.
"What none of the women in camp like you so you have to go for a lil' girl?" she teased from behind Daryl.
He tensed up fists clenching in anger and an attempt at keeping it in. Ray glared at Georgia, oh she hated this chick hated which is saying a lot because she is a nice person. But when it came to someone insulting Daryl, well everyone insulted Daryl but they did lightly not harshly like she did.
"Leave him alone."
"Oh, talking shit now? What are you gonna do little girl huh?" She was getting closer probably planning on getting in her face.
Daryl placed himself between the two and glared at the older woman with such force she walked away, hips jerking back and forth heading to Merle's tent.
"I don't like her." Ray growled.
"She's a whore jus' ignore her."
They sat on the RV with Dale helping to keep watch that night. Shane was stalking around the field his shotgun in hand. A few rocks sat on the roof so Ray picked one up and tossed it hoping it met its target, it did. Shane turned around holding the back of his neck and glared up at the roof as she fell over into Daryl's lap giggling.
"Just wait Rayna I'll get ya back." Shane growled walking away.
She smirked and sat back up leaning on Daryl's shoulder. He brought an arm around her waist and continued to scan the area.
"Aren't you two cute together." Although it sounded sarcastic Dale was being sincere.
The night went by smoothly with no walkers only apologies when Ray fell asleep on Daryl's shoulder. Dale thought this was cute the two needed to have someone, especially Daryl. When it was morning Shane didn't break his promise, a few loads of laundry was dumped onto her as he ordered her to go finish them.
"Oh come on Shane don't be like that, besides I have hunting with Daryl."
"Ya well he managed just fine before ya got here."
"You're just mad cause I hit you with a rock yesterday." Here she stuck her tongue out at him.
A hand caught her chin, "don't you stick your tongue out at me, if you're not gonna use it that is."
Her tongue slowly receded back into her mouth as she grumbled and walked over to the lake with a washboard. The others would be over to help her soon enough but until then she would watch Merle and Daryl walk off into the woods without her. Damn Shane and his sore loserness the man was leaning against the RV with a satisfied smirk on his face watching her feverishly try to get BBQ stains out of Carl's shirt. They had developed a pick on one another friendship since she came here Ray was wondering what she would do to get him back. Poison ivy rubbed in his pants? Oh ya he was going down.
By the time the other women got there she had half of it done. Lori smiled and dismissed her to go eat some breakfast. It was oatmeal today with squirrel as a side. On the way over she couldn't help but shoulder-check Shane, he tripped her in return. She took a seat by Amy and Ed devouring the oatmeal and saving the squirrel for last, wishing she was out hunting them instead.
"Aw, miss your boyfriend?"
Ray bit her lip ignoring her like Daryl said, 'just ignore her, just ignore her.'
"Her and Daryl are very good friends." Carol whispered keeping an eye on Sophia and Carl as they played.
Georgia made a disgusted noise at this, "he's a stupid hick not much to be friends with."
"Excuse me?" she whipped her head around.
That was the last straw call him unsocial, unattractive, smelly, but he was not a stupid hick.
"You heard me, he's a stupid fucking HICK."
"No he is a great guy with a special set of skills, plus you're eating the food that HE caught so shut up."
"Oh, getting defensive? I guess the camp doesn't know about you're statutory relationship, do they?!" heads turned in their direction, thank god Rem was in the RV washing her hair.
Ray glared and sat down her utensils gently, "you don't know what you're talking about."
"I know that he's a fucking freak trying to fuck a-"
Georgia's sentence was cut short by a fist sending her off the bench, she didn't get back up. Ray stood there hands balled into fists as the woman lay unconscious. Rick and Shane ran up because of the yelling giving Ray a look of disbelief.
"We'll deal with this once Daryl gets back." Rick sighed.
"No, she's a loudmouthed idiot who doesn't know what she's talking about there is no need to bring him into this."
"Actually there is, I've been getting a lot of questions bout you two. It's time we cleared things up."
Shane put an arm around her shoulders leading her to the RV, "and until then I'm putting you in time out."
God she had to give Shane some credit he had amazing muscles although she was practically getting chocked by them.
"Time out? But she started it!"
"But you hit her, don't get me wrong I've wanted to do it too."
"Come on if you don't put me in time out I'll tell you which one of your pants I rubbed poison ivy in."
Now she was in a head lock face nearly smothered in his armpit as he continued to lead her to the RV.
"Oh, I'm getting you back so good for that."
After she was released and pushed into the door she stuck her tongue out at him and plopped down on the small couch where Andrea was cleaning a gun.
"What was that all about?"
"I punched Georgia because she was talking about Daryl so Shane put me in time out."
"Kudos wish I could be the one to do that."
Her mother must have left before she got there and now stormed into the RV before laughing.
"I was wondering when she was going to break you but seeing Shane drag you here was just too much!"
Some time passed before Daryl walked back into camp with merle. All heads immediately followed him and he didn't like it.
"The fuck ya'll starin' at?"
The heads turned away except for Rem who was laughing again beckoning Daryl to come over.
"Where's Ray?" at dinner if she wasn't with him she was usually with her mother.\
"Shane put her in time out." A wave of giggles.
"For what? He cain't fuckin' put people in time out."
"You better go ask her yourself oh and Rick should be talking with you two in a bit."
Fuck. That meant he knew something was up, but what could he do? There were no more laws it didn't matter how old she was. This was a damn apocalypse and she was a survivor hell he was a survivor even if they did have something he couldn't do anything to stop them. None the less he took to ducking inside the RV when he saw Rick looking around. Ray lay on the small couch with an arm over her eyes no one else seemed to be in there.
"Heard ya got put n' time out."
"Ya, I'm an idiot I think I got you in trouble too."
"How's that?"
"Georgia was mouthing about you being a stupid hick and I uh, well-"
"You what?"
"I punched her and knocked her out so Rick came over and said people have been asking about us."
"You're mama told me Rick was gonna be lookin' fer us."
"I know."
"So ya punched her cause she was talkin' bout me?" a cocky smirk lightened his features.
"Yes, you are not a stupid hick I would even attempt to beat up Shane if he called you that."
"Knew ya liked me."
She punched his arm, "Daryl what exactly are we? I mean I would like to think we're friends."
"Yep friends."
"Who 'helps' each other out." She chuckled.
"Hey, ya needed it."
"So did you."
Daryl let his mind wonder back to that night when he pushed her into his tent after they had 'helped' each other he clung to her. As much as he hated to admit it he didn't want to let her go that night saying that they were just friends was an understatement.
"They don't got a say in what we are yer mama said it'd be ok that's good enough for me."
"You're right."
At that moment the door was opened by Dale who had a look on his face as if to say 'I've got bad news'.
"Rick's looking for you two."
"Ya, ya we're goin'."
Rick and Shane were standing off from the group discussing something as the two walked up. Ray was clearly nervous by the way she was gnawing on her nails.
"I've been getting a lot of complaints about you two. It's not natural for two people of such a diverse age to be together plus its illegal." Rick explained.
"It ain't nun a yer business what we got or what we do."
"The worlds over you guys not that much of a law system left anyway." Ray joined in.
"Well this is our group and we got rules."
Shane was silent for the beginning but when he opened his mouth the words that came out was surprising.
"Rick, just let em' go there's no point we got better things to worry about."
Rick seemed flustered his jaw tightening but sighed and threw up his hands, "Fine, but I'm not responsible if Rem finds out."
"She's fine with it." Daryl's voice was firm.
Both officers were taken aback by this Rick walked away shaking his head while Shane chuckled and walked off after him.
"Shane make sure you wash your blue jeans twice it has poison ivy in it!" Ray called after him.
"I'm still getting you back!"
Ray groaned and turned to see Daryl with a WTF look on his face. She had to explain what they did to each other.
"Sounds like yer flirtin ta me." Was that jealousy in his voice?
"With Shane? No way, creeps me out."
"And I don't?"
"Hell no."
Daryl smirked again and pushed her into the lake as they walked by it. She surfaced soaking wet and glowering holding out a hand for him to help her out. Anyone else he would have suspected them to pull him in but she didn't. After she was out however arms wrapped around his torso wet hair sticking to his face. The entire front of him was wet when she pulled away.
"You deserved that."
"I should push ya back in."
"Bring it Dixon."
"That a challenge?"
He got in her face looking down at her as their chests barely touched she grinned up at him taking a step up on his steel toed boots coming to eye level. Tips of their noses touching as she stuck her tongue out at him. In a swift moment however she was over one of his shoulder while his hand was groping her ass to keep her up there.
"Daryl!"
"Hush, baby." He started walking towards the camp as Ray squirmed not liking to be picked up.
Rem caught sight of them at first thinking something was wrong with her daughter but saw how she was throwing a fit and decided it would be ok to laugh. Daryl flipped her over to sit by her mother a deep blush showed on her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose.
"Why are you wet?" Rem wiped stray strands of hair from her forehead.
"She fell in the lake."
Ray gave him a playful glare, "ya, fell."
A few days later the two walked back into the grounds to find Ray's bike gone. They soon found it however along with all her clothing strewn around the camp. The bike lay on its side parts of it bashed in while clothes were ripped to pieces, including the beloved corsets.
"My bike!" She ran to it setting down and going over the damage.
It was clear someone had taken a bat to the vehicle while the clothing was slashed with some sort of knife. Shane and Rick were standing by scratching their heads looking a little guilty.
"What happened to my baby?" she demanded looking at the two men.
"If we knew what was going on we would a tried to stop it sooner."
"It was Georgia wasn't it."
Shane nodded tilting his head over to her tent where T-Dog stood blocking the entrance.
"Your mom is in the RV cooling down, real big cat fight happened before you two got here."
Ray clenched and unclenched her hands staring at the tent before furiously picking up ripped clothes and throwing them in the fire. Daryl stood aside he'd never seen her angry she was trying hard to hide but that look of controlled chaos in her eyes made him uneasy. Suddenly she picked up something else it had the shape of a doll, long multi fabric hair hung from the nearly decapitated head while a pretty light blue dress was ripped beyond repair, stuffing pouring out like blood.
Her sister had given the doll to her before she died, deciding to off herself when the outbreak first started. That was the last straw; the doll fell to the ground as Ray stomped towards the tent. T-Dog immediately moved away scared of what she was going to do Georgia however was already out rings lined her fingers, a cheap trick. It did not serve her well. While she went for hair pulling and aiming to punch the eyes Ray was blocking moving away until she connected a fist to the bottom of her jaw. Georgia flew back only for Ray to grab her arm and throw her forward making her face plant into some mud.
"'Nother cat fight?" Merle chuckled walking up to Daryl.
Daryl shook his head, "ain't no cat fight, girls getting a beat down."
Getting back up Georgia stumbled before taking a swipe, the ring lined fingers clipping Ray's lower jaw. Then Ray had her down again a foot planted between her shoulder blade while she pulled back on her arms, Georgia's head and chest coming up off the ground as she wailed in pain.
"I tap, I tap!"
"You'll tap out when I tell you to bitch!"
Daryl was in love at the moment watching the girl kick the older woman's ass. Hottest damn thing he ever saw.
"First you talk shit about my friends then you fucking destroy everything I hold dear to me anymore! My sister gave me that doll before she died and you ruined it!" she pulled harder on her arms and leaned closer the level of her voice lowering to a stage whisper, "And if I decided to kill you now you know what would happen?"
"Oh god-" came the pathetic whimper of a reply.
"No one would stop me. But why would I want to kill you? Breaking your arms would be just as bad leaving you helpless," here she pulled again making Georgia scream followed by a series of popping sounds, "pitiful, a walker could take you down so easily! But since I'm a nice person I'll let you go."
Her arms were released and Ray stepped away walking back to her doll she picked it up heading to the RV swiping a hand across her eyes. Georgia quickly stood massaging her shoulders looking around at the people staring.
"Really no one tried to help!"
"Shut up ya stupid bitch." Daryl hissed following Ray.
The turn on he got subsided into pure agony, her sister had died. He didn't know what he would do if something happened to Merle. He opened the door to find her sewing up the damage done to the doll while her mother sat by her, soothing her.
"You ok honey?"
"Ya mom I'm ok I just wish I could have been there to see you beat up Georgia."
Rem looked at Daryl he caught a bruise on her cheek probably from the altercation. She nodded and ruffled her daughter's hair before leaving the two alone in the RV. Daryl took Rem's seat watching as the stitches were done neatly and quickly. After the doll was done he caught her staring at the rip in his shirt he got from a branch they ran into earlier. It was a large rip on his left side Ray held out her hand for it.
"Give me the shirt, I'll stitch it up for you."
He complied pulling it off and handing the sweat soaked, cut off shirt to her watching her eyes move over his torso as the corner of her lip was pulled in to be chewed on. He would have taken off his pants to let her stitch anything to keep those tears from falling, anything for him to stop imagining what it would be like to lose Merle. Daryl knew it couldn't last though as she tied the knot and handed it back to him her face contorted in a whimper as a tear slipped. Another fell after. Both falling from her eyes down to her cheeks in a straight perfect manner that he found fascinating.
"I 'on't know what I'd do if Mer died."
"She killed herself, when we came to get her from college mom and dad left to go raid some rooms while I helped her pack. All she said was 'sis, you know I can't make it through this you have to live and fight for both of us. I know you can make it if anyone can it's you, you're the Katniss of this crumbling world. I love you and I'm sorry take Lillian (the doll) to remember me.' And before I could stop her she lifted a pistol to her head and pulled the trigger. That's when I saw the bite mark on her arm."
Tears one by one fell only to be shamefully wiped away by Ray not wanting to cry in front of Daryl. A hand was placed on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry ya had to lose 'er."
"I would have anyway, she was right she couldn't have stood this world. She was too sweet."
"You're sweet too, jus' tougher."
She looked at him and smiled sadly, "What I did back there was mean even though she deserved it."
"Nah, what ya did back there was sexy."
"Thanks hon."
His lips were enticing. Thin but flawlessly smooth oh god no she wasn't leaning forward was she, no, no, stop it dammit he'll freak out, STOP! At the last second she forced herself back before he could completely notice what was happening. It was bright now she could make out his chest clearly and scars that lined it.
"Georgia's scared shitless of ya now."
"Good I swear if she says one more thing about you I'll kill her."
"Takin' up fer the dumb redneck now are ya?"
"You are not a dumb redneck."
A warm palm rested on her neck while the other sat on her thigh. Those pink pout lips beckoned him to do something teasing him to bite down on them but he caught a tear slide in between them. Biting wouldn't do, leaning in he slowly kissed it away the salty moisture dampening his lips he went to pull back only for her to lean forward and capture his lips with need. Neither paid attention as the kiss continued Ray making the first move as her tongue darted out for his, she still had adrenaline from the fight that boosted her confidence. A child's giggle made them look up at the window to see Shane holding up Sophia and Carl so they could see inside.
"Walsh!" Ray yelled sticking her head out the window.
"We've been spotted run." Shane sat the kids down so they could run away in a fit of giggles.
"Ya fuckin' goddamn son of a-" Daryl didn't come to a close on his insults.
"Paybacks a bitch Rayna!" he laughed walking away.
"Fuck it." She grumbled grabbing his face and forcing his lips to hers again.
That was all he need to hear her head tilted to the side making sure they had enough room for their lips and tongues to mingle. Faint whispers and gasps told him the kids were running their mouths, he would have to scare them later but for now Ray needed him almost as much as he needed her to stop the what if's. A knock on the door made them break apart, Andrea came in with a blush, she heard what happened.
"Um, I'm sorry to hear about your bike and belongings I brought you an extra bra and shirt of mine to have."
"Thank you Andrea." She gave her a smile.
She and Daryl walked out of the RV to find Carl and Sophia staring at them.
"Are guys together?" Sophia asked with girly amazement.
Daryl decided to put on a show for the kids and put an arm around Ray, "Yup, right, baby?"
"Of course darling." Her head rested on his shoulder fluttering her eye lashes at him.
"Sophia?" Carl asked quietly.
"Ya?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes!"
The kids walked away holding hands, Ray awed thinking the seen was so cute.
It was clear a few days later that everyone knew because every time Ray was left alone someone would ask her why she was with him. Someone so 'innocent' like her. She was getting sick of that so much but it wasn't until someone was asking her if he was forcing her into it that she really started to hate it. Besides they weren't even together just friends who, well, ok so she didn't know what they were the point was people needed to stop talking about it. Rem of course said they were together her and Merle getting a kick out of teasing them.
Since Ray's bike was destroyed the group thought she needed to find a new one, enter Daryl and his truck. The two would be going into the city to look for one not expected to be home either late that evening or early the next morning. Ray was shoving things into her bag when Daryl leaned out his truck window and hollered at her.
"Ya comin?"
"Hell ya! Bye mom love you!"
"Be careful honey!"
She hoped in the truck staring out the window as they set off. A bike caught her eye in front of a motor store immediately. It was a deep maroon color a Honda style that looked to be on and off road, it was perfect. They loaded it on to the truck making sure it was secure and shooting any walkers that wondered up.
"Well we've only been gone from the group for a little bit do we go back to camp?" Ray asked looking around.
"Nah, lets screw around in the city."
She spotted a victoria secret across the street guessing that's how the bikers got their business, "mind if we go in there for a minute, I miss my corsets."
He nodded and followed her over there eyeing the stocked shelves with curiosity he never came into one of these places before. Daryl watched her look at the corsets, one caught his eyes, a dark green one with blue lining she saw the way he looked at it and picked it up.
"You like this one?"
"Yup, looks like a forest."
Ray kicked open the dressing room doors stabbing an old coworker in the eyes with her stiletto. Daryl was biting his thumb waiting to see her walk out in that top. When she did his pants suddenly got tighter, not only was there a corset she had come out wearing the matching bondage leggings too with ruffled shorts (if you don't know what bondage is it is the leggings that are connected to the short or corset through these snapper like laces.).
"I like it." A sexy smirk was on her face.
Daryl was momentarily mute as she walked towards him, hips swaying back and forth but suddenly passed him and over to the corsets picking out a few more and disappearing again. Next time she came out she was wearing her normal outfit with the green corset. A few of the others were chosen while others were left to rot. He didn't want to go back to the camp soon, no he had other plans. On the last run he was with Glenn, T-dog, and Shane while the other scooped out an ammo place he was to go through a hotel seeing if they had any supplies. While he was searching he found a suite on the second floor. Untouched. Somewhere a girl should be taken after senior prom or for a honeymoon this is where he wanted to take Ray, now he finally had that chance.
"Where are we going?"
"I remember that there were some supplies in this hotel."
"Well it's a fancy one so it should."
Even though the lobby was wrecked it still had a sense of class that made Daryl squirm. He led her up the stairs finding the door that led to the suite. Ray felt happy she imagined that this was not a supply run this was a special night were they would share their first time after being together for- she saw the room. Large bed in black silk sheets with soft beige comforter she sat on the bed not noticing that Daryl was pushing a night stand against the door. Gold foil covered chocolates sat on the pillow she fell back loving this comfy cloud like bed. The chocolate still tasted fresh almonds mixing with it as she chewed slowly the other Ray offered to Daryl who now stood looking down at her from the foot of the bed.
"I 'on't want the chocolate."
It was smacked from her hand before she was attacked by Daryl. His full body pressed against hers, lips leaving kisses all over her neck. Ray was so shocked by the sheer happiness of the moment, God how long she had wanted this. His shirt was the first thing to go followed by both their boots when it came to pants Ray's was being difficult if they hadn't come off she thought Daryl might of took his hunting knife to them. Her hands worked with his belt and jeans working them off of him so they could fall to the floor. Both silently knowing where this would be headed neither having any regrets or second thoughts about it. The only moment when a hint of hesitation was when the zipper on her corset was being pulled down. As it hit the floor arms wrapped around her, self-consciousness creeping up her soul smothering the confidence. He stared at her head tilted to the side tongue flicking out the side of his mouth out of habit. Slowly the arms receded letting him look at her never breaking eye contact but a nervous sweat breaking out.
"Mm." was all that came out of his mouth.
Ray had a fistful of silk sheets as Daryl let his lips fall from her neck to chest his tongue rolling her nipple in his mouth. His hand kneading the other before rotating he thought about going down on her and was sliding down when she grabbed his hair and forced him up to her face.
"Uh-uh, no more playing." She was pressing herself against him nearly dry humping.
"Wha's the magic word?"
She glared at him and warned, "Daryl."
"Ask politely baby." He smirked.
"Please." The word came out childishly.
"That's better."
He grabbed his pants and pulled a condom out of his pocket, a stroke of genius he got this morning before getting out of his tent. Once he was ready it took only a single fluid move to be inside her he was balancing himself on his hands with her arms draped over his shoulders. Ray was shocked the first thing she felt was pleasure searing through her body, chocking her. Her body was working against her bucking back up into him and arching her vocal cords seemed frozen. Until.
"Ah!"
The grin on his face told her she must have come. His movements got harder no longer moving out but instead forcing himself deeper inside. Daryl's breath coming out short and labored broken only by an occasional moan. Now only holding himself up by the elbows their bodies were completely together the intensity of it heightening to a point neither was really prepared for. She clung to him feeling like if she didn't her body would shatter and it did sending her another wave of euphoria with the same cry. This only made him move faster feeling his own wave building up inside.
"Third times the charm." He chuckled driving her against the headboard.
Daryl gripped the headboard his knuckles turning white while Ray dug her nails into his back and wrapped her legs around his hips, knees digging into his ribcage. With a husky cry he came to rest on top of her his body shook with aftershocks the spasms sending Ray into one last state of mind numbing pleasure. One hand stroked his back the other combed through his hair a small sign of compassion, she turned her head to look at the sun. It seemed to be midafternoon most likely around four the camp wouldn't be expecting them back. The Georgia heat combined with Daryl's heater like body wrapped Ray in a blanket of sleep inducing comfort.
"Daryl, you ok?"
After a few deep breaths he lifted himself up a bit, "ya, baby I'm fine."
"I can't feel my legs."
"Me neither."
"Should we head back to camp soon?"
"We could stay here tanight ya know, be together."
"I'd like that."
He rested his head between her neck and shoulder drifting off into happy dreams for once.
(What you are about to read is Daryl's dream ^.^ enjoy.)
He was driving down the freeway heading towards the river a good ten miles over the speed limit as the other cars and building blurred by. Laughter came from his side he turned to see Ray sitting in the passenger seat she was wearing a swim suit and holding her arm out the window. Hair flying around her and glinting in the sun her nails were painted an assortment of colors. The radio was playing a song one he remembered hearing before the world fell. She was singing along to it making the song even better with her out of key giggling. The dream flashed to a river he recognized it as one near the mountains with high cliffs surrounding it, good for jumping. They were jumping off of one he could feel the water flow over his body, could feel her wet body pressed against his. Now they were lying in the bed of his truck looking up at the sky watching the stars.
"Ya gonna leave me?" he teased rubbing her back as she used his chest as a pillow.
The moon reflected her green eyes "no, I love you."
That caught his tongue and heart, unless it was cried out before his past flings came that phrase had never been uttered to him before. Now it was said clearly as if a simple fact was being stated and it seemed as though she didn't expect an answer in return from the way she smiled and nuzzled back into him.
"Love ya too, baby." It was a whisper but she heard it all the same.
(little too sweet for Double D I know but it was for all you fangirls like me out there! And no the story is not over yet. XD let it go on!)
The sun was setting as Ray gently got up and slipped her underwear and corset back on deciding to walk out on the balcony. The sunset in Atlanta was still beautiful if you factored out the lost walkers stumbling through the city. When she walked back in Daryl was now lying on his stomach in a spread eagle position, head buried in the pillow snoring quietly. The scene made her smile he looked so gorgeous with tousled hair, swollen lips, the scowl momentarily gone while he slept, and let's not forget completely naked. Although the black silk was knotted around his waist she could see several tattoos around his body; a small flying devil/gargoyle was on his left bicep, two angels on the right side of his back, a small star on the web of skin between his thumb and pointer, and she already saw the swooping letter tattoo that read 'Daryl' on the left side of his chest. (fun fact: these are all Norman Reedus's tattoos except I changed the chest from Norman to Daryl, obviously!)
The angels had wings that seemed to sharpen down at points it was weird also how you could tilt your head one way and see two beautiful angels gracing his skin. Tilt it the other way and you're faced with a pair of demons with wings but they still looked beautiful. Ray reached out slowly and grazed one of the angels admiring the craftsmanship when her wrist was grabbed and she was pulled towards him.
"Scared the shit outta me gurl."
"Sorry, I was admiring your tattoos."
He smiled and pulled her closer that's when she realized something, they had never kissed with feeling, need maybe but not feeling. A peck or brush of each other's lips had deeper meaning than a fuck. Ray moved herself to sit on his lap Daryl stretched his arms and brought them behind his head that was propped up against the pillows. Her hands were placed against his chest as she bent down meeting his eyes she did not want to close hers in case he pulled away. But when his lids dropped in anticipation she did the same and pressed their lips together lovingly. The kiss held for a while at some point Ray felt the back of his fingers stroking her cheek. His touch was so gentle she didn't know how to take it, it nearly made her cry. When she broke off his eyes were watering uncharacteristically ray was going to ask if he was ok when a response came.
"Ya don't kiss someone like that unless ya feel somethin' for 'em."
"I don't know if-."
"Say it." It was a soft demand.
With foreheads pressed together she said it, "I love you."
"I love ya too."
Arms enclosed her and she was forced lay on him, "Go ta bed baby."
Even though it was still light out Ray nestled into him and fell asleep. It was not the morning sun that woke her up it was the scruff of facial hair rubbing against her forehead. It took only a few minutes for them to have everything together and in his truck heading back to camp.
"That was fun." Ray grinned holding her arm out the wmindow to catch up in the wind murmuring a song.
"Don't think they'll be suspicious of us?" he smirked back.
"Oh, of course not."
The sarcasm didn't cover up just how much everyone did suspect it. A few nights later around the campfire was an unusually social one. Glen and Rick had been the one to suggest them talking together for once causing most of the group to suddenly realize how tired they were, Daryl would have left but it gave him a little more time to be with Ray. They sat close for comfort and for the warmth arms wrapped around one another's waist inside jackets.
"You guys are looking pretty close there." Shane chuckled.
"It's cold." They said in unison.
The conversation soon turned to music and who liked what when Ray spoke up.
"I actually had an apocalypse song picked out before this started."
"What was it?"
"Here's to us by Halestorm."
Amy made a sound of realization, "They sung that on Glee right?"
"Ya, they did pretty good but the real version is so much better."
"At least you found another Glee nerd." Andrea rolled her eyes at her sister.
"Shut up Andrea."
It turned to TV shows next when that died down attention was turned back to Ray.
"Sing us the song." Amy smiled missing music just as much as everyone else.
"Um, I may not make people's ears bleed but I am not the best."
"Come on like any of us are."
She sighed but stood and took a breath before starting when she did Daryl immediately recognized it as the song from his dream and the one she sung on the way back.
(Lyrics in bold)
"We could just go home right now or maybe we could stick around for just one more drink."
Everyone was silent a few stragglers outside the fire came closer to hear.
"Get another bottle out let's shoot the shit sit back down for just one more drink. Ray grabbed Daryl's shot glass and held it up.
Here's to us here's to love all the times that we fucked up here's to you fill the glass cause the last few days have kicked my ass! So let's give em' hell wish everybody well, here's to us.
Stuck it out this far together put our dreams through the shredder, let's toast cause things got better.
And everything could change like that, all these years go by so fast but nothing lasts forever.
Here's to us here's to love all the times that we messed up here's to you fill the glass cause the last few nights have kicked my ass! If they give ya hell tell em' go fuck themselves! Here's to us."
There were cheers to this as she continued.
"Here's to all that me kissed and to all that we missed, to the biggest mistakes that we just couldn't trick to us breakin' up without us breakin' down, to whatever's comin' our way! Here's to us here's to love all the times that we fucked up here's to you fill the glass cause the last few days have kicked my ass, so let's give em' hell wish everybody well."
A few people joined in getting the hang of the song
"Here's to us here's to love here's to you fill the glass cause the last few nights have kicked my ass! If they give ya hell tell em' go fuck themselves! Here's to us, here's to us!"
She took a bow and sat back down next to Daryl who grinned and hugged her, "That was nice baby."
Merle even gave a halfhearted clap and went back to his tent with Georgia following. The group around the campfire became much more relaxed after the song.
"Anyone learn anything here?" Rick asked hoping for a good answer.
"Don't call Daryl a stupid hick in front of Ray." Glen offered.
"Don't stare directly at Ray's ass in front of Daryl." Mike added remembering a smack to the back of his head with a crossbow.
Ray laughed, "Rick, I did learn something here."
"Really?"
"Yes, even though the world went to hell at least we still have people that can get on our nerves."
Rick smiled and nodded, "True, well I think I've had enough of you guys for tonight."
Everyone dispatched heading for bed the ones that would be going on a run tomorrow groaning as they remembered. It would be Andrea, T-Dog, Glen, Rick, Merle, Jacqui and Ray (sounds familiar does it not o.o duh, duh, duh!).
"G'night baby." Daryl whispered into her ear as he walked her to the truck.
"Good night Daryl." She smiled hoping into the bed.
The next morning when the group set off everyone thought it was just another run. They even got back on time but something was wrong, some were missing.
"Where's Ray and Merle?" Shane whispered before the other camp members noticed anything.
Rick blew him off as he wiped a hand across forehead his face was pale from what he would have to tell the members. After getting Daryl back into camp and Ray's parents he told them what happened.
"Merle and T-Dog got into it before we knew what was happening Merle went crazy none of us were able to stop him. But Ray disarmed him with a shovel if she hadn't then he would have killed one of us."
"That don't tell us why they ain't here!" Daryl yelled.
"I was getting to that; by the time he came to I had him handcuffed to a pipe on the roof."
"So, ya just left em up there, helpless!?"
"That's my fault I dropped the key down a drain." T-Dog couldn't look guiltier.
"Where is Rayna!?" Rem was getting impatient.
Rick held up his hands to stop everyone, "when we left she refused to leave him up there by himself, said it was her fault. Walker's were comin' we had to get outta there."
Daryl threw a punch at Rick but Shane caught him in a headlock as Rem and her husband fell to their knees in shock.
"You're going to go get them." Lori looked Rick in the eye.
"We'll leave as soon as we're ready."
That wasn't quick enough for Daryl who stomped on the horn a few minutes later, "Let's go!"
On the way to the city a motorcycle was seen weaving through the cars, Merle. The group met him half way there Daryl jumped out before they even fully stopped, happy to see his brother alive. Ray was not with him however.
"Ya jus' leave me up there! Ya stupid pussies I'm a kick yer asses!" Merle was headed for Rick when Daryl stepped in between them.
"Where's Ray?"
Merle stopped and turned away from them with his head down not answering as he made his way back over to the bike.
"Merle?" Daryl's throat got tight.
"Herd was comin' up the stairs she got the cuffs off me, told me ta run, said I's more use ta the group. Thought she was behind me, but she made em' follow her."
Shane was the first to realize what he meant, "She turned herself into walker bait."
"We gotta go look fer 'er!" Daryl insisted.
"We can try." Glen nodded starting the cube van.
They decided to go to the roof and find her trail following down the stairs that led down the side of the building. Pieces of walkers covered the side of the buildings like they had been blown up.
"Oh ya, girl found a grenade must a used it. Gotta say chicks got some balls on er'." Merle explained.
A little farther up they found another ally with a dead guy lying there, he wasn't a walker. Someone had stabbed him in the ribs and neck. The guys recognized him as part of a group of male nurses that still resided at the Elderly home. The home would be there best bet.
"Where is she?" Rick asked calmly to Guillermo.
"You mean the bitch that killed one of our guys?" Felipe growled.
"You bes' shut the hell up." Daryl snapped.
"She wouldn't have killed someone unless they did something."
Guillermo shrugged, "girl had a bag of guns, only gave us a few, we wanted all of it. She refused there was a struggle and she killed one of our guys in the process."
Daryl tried to attack Guillermo getting held back Merle, "Where is she!"
"We offered for her to stay here with us, we could use some young ass around here. Ungrateful bitch said no so we dropped her off down town out by the highway."
She wasn't there. The only thing they found was her stiletto covered in blood with fresh blood that wasn't black like a walkers doting the area. That was all they needed to find out, Ray was gone.
"NO!" Daryl screamed crumpling to the ground by the knife.
Merle punched a window out of a car to show his remorse hurting his hand pretty bad in the process. Shane cursed along with T-Dog as Rick and Glen searched the area without any results they only found a broken hair tie and the thigh holster that belonged to her. When they went to leave Daryl refused.
"No, she's out there!" Merle and Shane had to drag him back to the cube van making him drop his crossbow and leave it.
Rem didn't need an explanation when they came back without her. Her husband down spiraled breaking into heavy sobs while Rem turned her attention to Merle.
"You! You damn redneck if it weren't for you she would be alive! You killed her didn't you!?"
"Rem! Rem! Calm down Ray sacrificed herself for Merle, she told him to run while she led the walkers away."
Merle gave the grieving woman some painkillers as a peace offering and forced some pretty heavy shit down Daryl's throat so he would stop rampaging. The drugs knocked him out and Merle gave the rest of his cocaine to Ed, after what happened a small bit of humanity left in him couldn't do it. Not after it caused him to fight with T-Dog and get Ray killed, that girl had grown on him and his brother. If this place had gone to hell he figured she would tag along with them, keep them fed and help keep walkers away. But that wouldn't happen, she was dead.
It was night the depression could be felt through the camp as they suffered a great loss. Daryl was up by then just lying in his tent feeling lost without her and unprotected without his crossbow. The next day he didn't do much Merle tried to get him to go hunting but he just shrugged, going mute towards everyone. Ray's parents mourned her deciding to bury Lillian in place of her body, now they had no children. A lot of people from the camp showed up at the burial Dale offered to say a few words.
"Rayna was one of the youngest in our group but she was also one of our greatest assets. She could get along with almost anyone and protected this group with her life. We will remember her as what she was; selfless, caring, and overall a great person."
Shane laid a vine of poison ivy on the small mound of dirt giving a speech of why and how mature she was for someone so young. Mike and Georgia apologized to her for everything. The Grimes couple said she was as much of a daughter to them as their own son. Sophia and Carl sniffled over it not able to speak. Merle tossed a pair of biker gloves to the pile saying she was a lot more important than he was. Last came Daryl who everyone watched place a lily gently on top tears standing at the edge of his swollen eyes. He retreated to his tent after that as night fell.
Some crying and shouts made him wake up and run outside expecting to see a hoard of walkers. Instead he saw a group surrounding someone.
"You guys had a funeral too! Wow I feel loved!" Ray's voice broke through the chatter.
Daryl was pushing through everyone, "Get outta my way!"
There she was; hair down, covered in mud and walker blood, a long cut up the side of her leg, with his crossbow slung over her shoulder. When she saw him she grinned and held out the weapon.
"Went back for my stiletto but found this instead, you want it back Dixon?"
He ignored the bow and embraced her falling to the ground as they clung.
"You ain't never goin' back there again!"
Rem agreed to that digging up the doll. Merle looked relieved to see the girl alive and well even giving her a hug. Shane also threw his arms around Ray crushing her to his chest and lifting her up. Daryl wasn't liking it but said nothing.
"You spent a night in that demon filled city?" Andrea asked.
Ray just nodded everyone could tell she would have some trauma from the experience. Her mother thought about what she went through, being by herself and almost killed more than once most likely she didn't want her sleeping alone, not tonight. Thankfully Daryl solved that problem as he shyly walked up to her biting his thumb nail.
"Rem, I on't 'er sleepin' alone, could she maybe sleep with me, long as it's ok with you that is."
"Ya, I don't want her sleeping alone either."
Rick escorted Rayna to the lake so she could clean up being sure to face the other way while she got in and out. Dale tended to her cut and Merle gave her half of what he called a 'kick your ass straight ta heaven' pain pill. Meanwhile Daryl swiped a quilt and comforter from the RV with this he was able to make a nice pallet with the blankets and sleeping bags he had.
"Come on baby."
"Are you sure my mom was ok with this?"
"Ya, doll."
He tucked her in before slipping in himself pulling her to lay on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her protectively thanking JC (yes, I am using the term he used while looking for Sophia) and god for giving her back.
"I love you, Rayna." He said aloud using her full name for the first time.
She looked up at him with a smile, "I love you too, Daryl Dixon."
(Epic cuteness? Epic fail? So much fluffy/sexiness you chocked and died while reading? Well, I would hope not o.o' cause then I would most likely get sued. But please R&R and also check my other Daryl fic's Favor's and Thank you's, and Homeroom hero. )