Chapter 4:

Daryl got out of bed and struggled to stand but still pulled himself up. He hasn't been up much since his accident and his legs felt like jelly from not moving all those days. He shuffled to the bathroom and turned on the sink letting the water temperature rise as he gazed into the mirror. The bandages had small red blood stains, nothing like before though. His eyes were rimmed with dark circles, looking like he's been through hell; for the most part he has. He opened the medicine cabinet and took out a pair of clippers. The bandage was wrapped thick, it was the same one Vera had put on him. He cut the white cotton cloth and unwrapped it from his head. His hair laid flat from where the bandages had covered it. He slowly unclothed his wound as it stung with slight pain.

"Look at that." he said letting out a small laugh. "God Damn Andrea, glad she wasn't a sharp shooter at least."

He took a wash towel and wicked the sweat from his face then ran it under the now warm water and blotted his wound. He cringed at the stings of the warm towel hitting it. It wasn't a deep wound, but it was awful big from the bullet's graze.

"It's getting better." said a soft voice in the dorrway.

Daryl turned to find Vera leaning against the door post.

"Still hurts like hell though." he said.

She walked over to him, boots clicking on the wood floor.

"You were shot, what do you expect it to feel like? A skinned knee?" she said with a grin.

Daryl laughed. He didn't want Vera thinking he was some sissy boy crying over a skinned knee.

"It's not that bad actually." He said smiling at her.

She smiled back locking eyes with him like when they first met. They seemed more hazel today but still shined with blue. She felt her face getting hot and glanced away.

"I'm gettin' going soon. I wanted to say goodbye and see if you needed anything." She said still looking down.

Daryl looked down also. He was still entranced by her eyes even after she looked away.

"I'm quite alright, thanks. Where you off too?" he asked

"I live a town over, Marietta."

"Really? I used to go there with my brother as a kid." he said trying to find her eyes.

She looked past him, not wanting to blush again.

"It's a nice little town, I loved growing up there." she looked up into his eyes.

Damn it! she thought. But she didn't regret it.

Daryl took a step towards her. Their faces were inches from each other. Vera glanced down to his lips. He put his hand on her neck and pulled her in. There noses brushed against each others and Vera could hear his soft breath. They stood like that for a moment deep into each others eyes, lips nearly touching. She couldn't wait any longer and pulled his lips to hers.