Chapter Three: Lover

As the week wore on, Ken noticed the dip in energy amongst the group. Everyone kept looking at the sky, hoping that it would keep raining so the heat wouldn't return.

She occupied herself; whether it was talking to someone, sharpening her knives, or hunting and gathering water.

Ken found herself talking to Tara the most now. The other girl was shy but Ken found that endearing. Every now and then, Ken would test the waters more and more. First was holding Tara's hand briefly, then kissing her on the cheek.

Ken and Tara weren't the only ones dancing around each other like that. It was obvious to everyone else that something was up with Beth and Daryl. Ken figured that their relationship was progressing at a healthy pace, due to the girl's flushed cheeks and the look Daryl got every time he looked her way.

Finally they came across an abandoned farmhouse that looked sturdy. There was no walkers inside, which Ken figured was a plus. The group settled in for the night.

Ken, feeling oddly restless, went upstairs and out onto the widow's walk. The air was cool and it looked as though it was going to rain again. Sighing, she leaned against the railing and pulled out a cigarette.

"Mind if I bum one of those?"

Ken's brow raised when she saw Daryl stroll outside. "Sure," she replied, offering him one.

He placed it between his lips before pulling out a lighter. Once his cigarette was lit, he handed the lighter to Ken. She took it, flicked it, and then handed it back. They inhaled deeply together before blowing out twin streams of smoke.

"So," she began, glancing at him. "You and Beth, huh?"

"Mhm. You and Tara, huh?"

Ken smirked. "Haven't gotten around to the sneaking around part. Figured I should take it slow."

Daryl made another noncommittal sound. "Smart."

Ken gave him an amused look. "I like a man of few words," she said teasingly.

Daryl blew out another puff of smoke. "Ain't got a long to say."

"To each his own." Ken took another long drag. "You like her though. Beth."

"Yeah."

"Got the big sister lecture from Maggie yet?" Ken asked. When Daryl just stared at her, she laughed. "You know, the whole 'if you ever hurt her, I'll kill you' thing."

"No."

"Well that's a shame. I hope I'm there to see it."

Daryl snorted, stubbing out the butt. "Thanks for the smoke."

She nodded. "No problem."

When she was alone again, she gazed out into the distance. Her fingers tapped a staccato beat against the railing. When someone cleared their throat, Ken glanced over her shoulder again.

To her surprise, it was Tara. Ken smiled and turned so she was facing her. "Hey," she said.

Tara walked over, playing with the hem of her shirt. "Hey."

"Want one?" Ken asked, lifting her pack.

Tara shook her head. "No, thanks. I was… Daryl said you were out here so…"

Ken reached out and pulled Tara closer. "Have I ever told you that you're cute when you're flustered?"

Tara smiled a little. "No."

"Well I'll remember that next time," Ken said with a smile.

Tara tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She shifted so she could look out like Ken had been doing. "It's so peaceful," Tara murmured. "Sometimes you can just forget what the world is like now."

Ken watched her. "Yeah," she agreed. "Those are the moments to live for, amongst others."

Tara looked down. "I don't feel like I have much to live for," she admitted softly.

Ken reached out and took Tara's hand, squeezed. "Sure you do," Ken admonished gently. "It might not look like it now, sure, but you never know. This whole nightmare might end one day."

"You think so?"

Ken nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Tara sighed. "I hope you're right."

"Where do you think you'd be if everything was still normal?"

"I don't know," Tara replied with a shrug. "It's hard for me to picture that. What about you?"

Ken pursed her lips. "I imagine I'd still be in New York, working at whatever job I had that week. I never settled down a lot."

"Do you think you would have travelled?"

"Maybe. I think it would be nice to see as much as possible. Or at least it would have."

"Well maybe one day you will," Tara said.

Ken glanced at her, smiled again. "Maybe," she repeated. "But I like where I am now."

Tara's lips curved again. Ken reached over and brushed that strand of hair away from her cheek, tracing the soft skin there. Watching Tara closely, she stepped closer. Then, still watching, she leaned in and brushed her lips over Tara's.

When she pulled back, Tara's eyes fluttered back open. "Was that okay?" Ken asked softly. Tara nodded. "Can I do it again?" Another nod.

This time Ken cupped Tara's face in between her hands before her mouth slid over Tara's. The other woman responded, hesitantly kissing her back. Ken moved slowly, savoring the feeling. Their lips brushed and parted, brushed again. And again, it was Ken who pulled away.

"Wow," Tara breathed quietly.

"Yeah," Ken whispered. "Wow."

Ooo0ooO

Beth tucked herself away in one of the back rooms, wanting some quiet. She hummed to herself as she fixed her hair, pulling her fingers through the mass to untangle it.

She heard a floorboard creak and saw Daryl standing in the doorway. She smiled at him and gestured for him to come in. When he did, he closed the door behind him.

Since she was sitting at an old vanity, he sat down at the edge of the bed. She turned to look at him. "Is everyone asleep?" she asked.

"Sasha's keeping a look out," Daryl said, running his hand through his hair. "Everyone else called it a night."

"You couldn't sleep?"

"Nuh uh."

Beth bit her lip and gathered her courage. She stood up and walked over to him. Butterflies danced in her belly as he watched her. Slowly, she moved forward until she was straddling him, with her knees on either side of his hips. She rested her hands on his shoulders before running them up into his hair.

"Well, I'm not tired," she whispered. "What should we do?"

"Got a few ideas," Daryl replied before kissing her.

Beth's lips curved against his. His hands slid up her thighs and gripped her hips before he gently shifted so she was lying down on the bed, with his body covering her own.

She tilted her head to the side and groaned softly when his lips traced the length of her throat. He dipped down and placed her hands over her head. She watched him, trembling slightly.

"You okay?" he asked, his blue gaze intense.

She nodded. "I… I want you, Daryl," she admitted, a blush creeping over her cheeks.

Daryl's body grew tense. "You gotta be sure," he told her, his voice rough with desire. "You gotta be sure, Beth."

"I am," she whispered. "Please, Daryl."

When his lips descended on hers again, she moved her hands so she could help him out of his shirt. He pulled hers off and she shivered when their bare skin brushed. As his lips moved to explore more of her, her hands clenched the sheets and she bit her lip hard.

Her breath sawed out of her when he unclasped her bra and she gasped when he tasted her. He moaned her name.

The rest of their clothes came off eventually, since Daryl moved slowly, so slowly that Beth wanted to curse at him. She was breathless and murmuring his name again and again as he touched her and kissed every inch of her body.

Impatient, Beth managed to roll him under her. She pinned down his shoulders with her hands and kissed him desperately, rolling her hips against his. Daryl's eyes rolled back at that movement and she felt a jolt of triumph.

In turn, she touched and explored him, tracing the scars and tattoos he had. His body was rigid from his self-control, covering lightly in sweat. But her gentle, curious touches were quickly undoing him, so Daryl flipped her onto her back again.

Their gazes clashed and Beth gripped his upper arms. "Please," she beseeched.

Daryl kissed her again before he slid inside her. He kept moving slowly, making sure she was okay. Beth gasped his name before running her nails up his back, encouraging him.

The hours seemed to melt away as they moved together. Daryl brushed the hair away from her cheek, and she kissed his shoulder. When she wanted release, she moved her hips faster. Daryl the gripped her hips, tilting them, before he increased his pace. Beth threw her head back, biting her lip so she wouldn't cry out.

The pressure was slowly mounting, building deep within her gut. She clawed at Daryl, desperate, and soon came undone in his arms. Daryl buried his face in her neck and groaned out her name one last time before they rode out the aftershocks.

A little while later, Beth curled into Daryl's side. He was running his fingers up and down her back gently, his eyes closed. She kissed his shoulder again before sighing deeply. She fell asleep to the sound of his heart beating steadily against her cheek.

Ooo0ooO

Kendra woke up to the sound of singing the next morning. She smiled to herself when she recognized Beth's voice. She sat up and glanced down. Tara was sleeping quietly beside her.

They had stayed up late talking before moving into a room that looked like a den. They had both fallen asleep on the couch.

Ken smiled. Leaning down, she kissed Tara's cheek gently. "Wake up," she whispered.

Tara shifted slightly before sighing. Her eyes opened and were sleepy. "Do I gotta?" she mumbled.

Ken's smile widened. "I'm afraid so."

"Don't wanna."

"I bet I can convince you to get up. How about a trade?" Tara lifted a brow. "I'll kiss you if you get up."

"I didn't think you'd resort to bribery," Tara teased.

Ken leaned down and kissed her firmly on the lips. "It's not bribery if I enjoy it too."

"Mmm," Tara hummed, leaning up to deepen the kiss.

They managed to stumble downstairs after another half hour had passed. Rick and the rest of them were outside, where they were debating where to go from here.

"My neighborhood had walls," Noah was telling them. "I think we should go there."

"Do you remember how to get there?" Rick asked.

Noah nodded.

"I think we should keep moving," Sasha said, crossing her arms. "Maybe we can find somewhere to bunker down in for a while, like the prison."

"It wouldn't hurt to see the place Noah is talking about," Glenn commented. "If it isn't safe, we move on."

Rick nodded. "I agree with Glenn. Anyone got any other suggestions?"

When no one answered, Rick nodded once more. "All right. Let's go. Lead the way, Noah."

Ooo0ooO

A few hours later, it began raining again.

Beth sighed, wishing that they had stayed at the farmhouse a little while longer. It had been difficult rolling out bed this morning for a number of reasons.

She glanced at Daryl, who was walking with Rick, and holding Judith. Beth smiled. Lil Asskicker, he called her. It suited her in some way.

Her thoughts then strayed to what had happened last night. Her smile widened.

"I know that look." Beth looked to who was talking and saw Ken smirking at her. "You and Daryl, huh?" Ken asked in a quiet, teasing voice.

Beth blushed. "Maybe."

"Uh huh. That's a yes." Ken grinned. "Hey, there's no need to be embarrassed. There's no shame in having sex and enjoying it."

Beth's ears began to burn. "Still. It's…private."

Ken lifted her hands as a sign of peace. "You're right. I shouldn't butt in. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"No, it's…" Beth sighed. "I don't really have the words."

Ken nodded in understanding. "You're young and you're in love. If I were you, I'd enjoy it as much as possible, especially in the kind of world we live in now."

Beth smiled. "I am. I will."

Ooo0ooO

Disclaimer: I do not own the Walking Dead.

Author's Note: Please review!