Author's Note: Well oh my damn T_T I am so excruciatingly sorry about my inactivity these past months but when life kicks you in the ass it's no joke. Not to mention I had to rewrite this chapter about three times because I kept losing it about halffway through and that's a real muse killer. I am happy to say though I am here, never forgot about this story or my ever lovely readers 3 . I can't promise frequent updates but I hope that this lemony goodness and extra long chapter count for something :( at least until I can post another chapter. This is somewhat of a filler, but once we leave the CDC and head on down to Hershel's farm I think that's where the fun will start and hopefully I can get there somewhere between the next chapter or two. For now enjoy this lemony smut and if you don't like that sort of stuff... Well. This isn't the story to read lol. 3 see you soon my loverlies!
Love,
Tally
Song: Saving Abel - Addicted
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Catalina screamed from behind the wheel of her truck, she just couldn't believe it, of all the people in the camp why did it have to be Jim? He understood her, understood the pain, she had found friendship in this and it was going to be torn from her already Catalina just didn't know how to deal with it. The CD in her truck was playing softly, trying to distract her but doing nothing at all for the woman. She was behind the camper carrying Jim and behind her was Daryl, she could see his displeased face from a mile away but the woman didn't care, she couldn't let him kill Jim, the man wasn't dead and they weren't going to kill him Atlanta would have the answer Catalina just knew it.
The sudden stopping of the caravan threw Catalina off though and as she pulled up behind the camper there was already a sinking feeling in the pit of Catalina's stomach as she saw Rick get out of his truck to climb into the camper. What if it was too late already? Catalina could feel her chest begin to pound and her breathing became erratic the longer she sat in the truck with no word as to what was happening but before she could get out there was Daryl standing at her door tapping on the glass of her window signaling for Catalina to roll it down which she did, none too happily.
"What do you want?" The woman said angrily, she hadn't spoken or looked at Daryl since the entire incident had happened, she'd kept words with Rick short but as far as she was concerned Daryl would be getting a bullet to the brain way before Jim. Daryl for his part took her attitude in stride and leaned into her car, his forearm resting in her car and though she really didn't want to be anywhere near him right now, Catalina said nothing.
"You seem like a smart girl Spic, well for a Mexican." The man started and immediately Catalina began to close the window until Daryl began tapping on the glass and taking back his comment.
"Look! All I'm sayin' is, Jim's bit, Atlanta's a shot in the dark and what's the longest you seen one go before they turn?" Catalina said nothing but Daryl's words were sticking to her like gum in her hair and slowly as much as she hated to admit it the tears began to well in her eyes. Daryl saw this but said nothing and in fact kept pushing on. "Do ya wanna wait until the man's coming after your pretty ass?" And though she heard the backhanded compliment and though something about it made her want to laugh the gravity of the situation just didn't let her and instead Catalina took a deep breath, clearing her throat and reigning in her emotions and turned to face Daryl a scowl on her face.
"All I'm sayin' is that you don't seem to have any issues killing an innocent man."
"I'd rather see the man go as a human than a geek, if you care about him so much why can't you see that?" Daryl said matter of fact, his patience with Catalina wearing thin and honestly Catalina knew that the redneck had a point but she couldn't prove it to him. For a long tense moment no one said a thing, Catalina stared straight ahead and Daryl stayed put and she could see the looks it was gathering from Lori and Carol, even Shane seemed to be interested in what it was that Daryl was doing leaning into Catalina's car so casually.
"You smell like road kill." Catalina muttered darkly as she made it a point to open her door, sending it crashing into Daryl who bent over trying to catch his breath.
"And you smell like a bad burrito I ate five months ago, so you've got no room to complain." Daryl barked back at Catalina who slammed the door to her truck shut before standing toe to toe with Daryl, only coming up to his chest but the woman didn't care for the height difference and sized Daryl up.
"What's your issue with me being a Spic, you redneck, honky, inbred bastard?" Daryl's ire was instant she could see his eyes darken and his nostrils flared, the man's jaw tightening and his fists following suit and none of this had the woman backing down. She had seen racism before and while Daryl might have said the words she could see that with him it wasn't so much race as much as it was a disdain for humanity itself. That being said, the woman didn't appreciate the nickname he'd appointed her or that he was still keeping up pretenses when there was no longer anyone around to show off for. "The shoe sucks when it's on you doesn't it?" Was all the woman said before pushing him out of her way and making her way over to the camper in time to see Rick stepping out a defeated look on his face that didn't bode well with Catalina.
"He, uh… He doesn't want to head into Atlanta." Rick's eyes bore into Catalina's and before anybody could say a word or stop her Catalina was in the camper, door slamming loudly and the woman didn't think twice before locking it and heading straight to Jim's bed.
"You bastard! You want me to fight to stay alive but you don't even want to try for Atlanta we're almost there! What's another 30 minutes?!" The woman yelled angrily at the bed ridden, fever soaked man and though he was surprised he didn't seem upset, in fact he merely nodded his head at her tirade and looked out the window for a long moment of silence making Catalina feel like an idiot.
"I know, you know, however deep down it may be, you know, there isn't any hope left for me. You though? Catalina you've got fight in you like I've never seen I know you want to live and I know you think there's something better waiting than this life. I don't want you to get your hopes up on a slim chance in hell in the CDC for all we know it was over run. My bones can't take this road anymore Catalina and I just want to see my family." The man said, the emotion heavy in his voice making Catalina crack and though she could hear the banging on the door the woman didn't budge, and instead sat at the corner of his bed, the tears beginning to fall softly from her eyes. "You were meant for something Catalina, I believe that and even if it's only to outhunt Daryl to keep his big mouth shut so be it. You're job isn't done, mine was to go crazy for a tick and that's done but I don't want you to be angry, at me or anybody. We all know that this is a very real possibility and honestly I'm not cut out for this world."
"And I am? Jim you're the only friend I have now." Catalina told the man sadly and was surprised to hear him let out a laugh, weak and slightly pained, but a laugh and it confused Catalina who tried not to smile at the man as he adjusted himself a little better on the bad.
"That's a crock o' shit if I've ever heard it. I'm only your friend because you talked to me, give the camp a chance they're real good people." Jim didn't fail to notice the roll of Catalina's eyes as she shook her head. "Believe it or not Catalina they are good people they care about one another and if you let them I'm sure they will care about you, for God's sake Daryl's still stickin' around if he can get on their good side you've got nothin' to worry about." The man joked and though Catalina didn't want to, she laughed.
"So what are you saying? You want us to.." The prospect of killing Jim despite knowing what was waiting for him made Catalina's throat tighten up and all the woman could think was that she would be no better than Daryl Dixon who apparently had no qualms with taking care of problems like this and again the young woman was surprised to hear another bit of laughter from Jim's mouth.
"I'd never dream of asking any of you to do that, as much talk as Daryl is I know he'd always have that on him, I just want to rest now Catalina, can you understand that?" Jim pleaded with the young Mexican woman and she finally nodded, slowly and very pained but she understood it, she really did and though she knew things would only be getting worse from here on out she had to figure Jim was right, until your job was done you were stuck, and she had to accept that.
"You remind me a lot of Mason." Catalina said with a shake of her head and a laugh that dared to sound bitter. "Every bit as selfless and heroic" But instead of smiling the woman couldn't help but be selfish, she needed Jim around, she needed someone to talk to, to laugh with and it wasn't fair that every person that she had cared about that she talked to was now gone or going.
Jim tried to call out to Catalina but by the time he had gotten her name out the woman was unlocking the door and blinded to the setting sun and the group practically ambushing her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Jacqui was the first to cry out pushing past Catalina and up the stairs to tend to Jim, everybody it seemed had a million questions for her and all it was doing was working Catalina's nerves making her angrier and angrier with every word spoke.
"Let's face facts people, Jim isn't going to get any better, we don't even know if the CDC is overrun we are wasting time and gasoline, so now isn't the time for melodramas and emotional women!" Shane finally broke out over everybody's rampant bickering his eyes instantly accusing the young Mexican woman who had just stepped off the RV and Catalina's eyes snapped to the man and before anyone got the chance to stop her she had reached out and slapped the man hard enough to leave an angry red mark on his cheek.
"How's that for melodramatic? You pig. Do whatever you guys want, I don't care, Jim doesn't care, what does it matter we're all going to die anyway, lets get a move on already." The woman said and though she hadn't wanted to break, though she was telling herself not to care as she got to her car leaving most of the group to their own plans the woman was surprised to find Dale turning her around before she could get into her truck and though Catalina had wanted nothing to do with anyone and thought Dale's overprotective nature was unwarranted his open arms and consoling silence were all that it took for the woman to accept the comfort he was offering.
Catalina fell into Dale's arms with little problems and immediately the past eight hours, the past two months, everything, finally broke down the woman who buried her face into Dale's chest and let her tears fall freely, Dale doing nothing but supporting the young woman and rubbing her back as her body shook with the force of her tears and her pain…
"Catalina! Hey Catalina! Hold on! You know for a short chick you walk way too fast!" Catalina could hear him calling out to her and she could hear him closing in on her it was only a matter of time she had known that since he'd spotted her in the parking lot, the parking structure she had been so damn sure he would never find her in because it was out of the way and had been intended for the students that spent their time in the math buildings, obviously Mason was one determined little boy and though Catalina couldn't help but to feel somewhat flattered she also knew that with Mason she was in way over her head. "Hey there! Now I know ya heard me from way back there I've got that kinda voice that travels, now Miss Catalina don't ya know it's not very nice to leave someone talkin' to themselves?" And there it was. That southern drawl and charm, his gentleman articulate ways that had hit Catalina hard from the get go and she just didn't know if she had it in her to deny the man any longer as she neared her car.
"Mason," Her voice sounded tired, like she wasn't willing to get into an argument and just wanted to be left alone but the sports medicine major was having none of it. "You've already met Alex, what more do you want?" It wasn't difficult to see that Catalina didn't have it in her to fight with Mason and it was only all to clear that Mason showed no signs of backing down from her.
"Boy did I ever. I'm not one to judge anyone Catalina but I can't help but wonder why, no scratch that how, a girl like you could ever end up with a guy like him." And though Catalina knew he was being nice, though she knew that in reality he was paying her a compliment it ticked something in the woman to know that he was acting as though he knew her when in reality he knew nothing. He pursued her like it was a game, and she was willing to bet that for him it was, the first girl to say no to him and he wasn't about to have that, not Mr. All-American losing out to the Anti-American.
"You don't know anything about me Mason, why I'm with him or who I am all you do know is that you saved me from a very unpleasant scenario and believe me I am grateful but you're chasing me and you know I'm taken and that's leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth because you're either really obsessed or you're kind of a douche." The woman said with little hesitation as she opened the door to her car and throwing her things in the passenger seat. "Me and you would never work out though, you know nothing about me and trust me if you did, you'd be running for the hills, so for now I think it's best we just leave it as is. Thank you again but… No thank you." There was no haughtiness to Catalina's voice maybe a trace of sadness that she couldn't keep any sort of friend for fear that Alex would start airing out her dirty laundry. The woman was getting ready to close her door only to find Mason had grabbed the door and prevented her from doing so, for once he wasn't smiling, wasn't even pleased as a matter of fact he looked downright angry at Catalina.
"You sure hold yourself in high regard Catalina." And that only made the young woman laugh sardonically as she rolled her eyes and leaned back in her seat waiting for Mason to get on with it already. "Just what makes you think that I wanted anything more then to be your friend?"
"Really?" She looked at the man incredulously but he didn't let her get much out aside from that.
"I wantto be your friend Catalina, I don't know what it is you think you know about me but I can tell you your dead wrong. If you want to be with someone like Alex far be it from me to stop you but don't go and try and act like you know what I'm about because frankly you don't know jack." Catalina's only answer was another laugh, short and angry before she grabbed her car door and slammed it shut, Mason banging on the window once before she peeled out of the empty parking structure the only thing she left for Mason, the sound of her screeching tires…
The camp had made the decision to wait until morning to deal with everything, they would have been heading into the city after dark and that was something everyone agreed would have been a bad idea. Catalina had volunteered herself to take the first watch of the night and had been on top of the RV before anybody had had the chance to say otherwise. In the dark, by herself Catalina let the night take her over, she didn't think about Jim or Daryl, Mason and his family didn't cross her mind, the woman just was. Jim's cries and shouts of pain had long ago subsides, only the occasion skin crawling groan could be heard from the RV's open windows and Catalina had to ask herself time and again if the man had taken the change but the lack of screaming and running had been enough of a comfort for her.
The night air was thick and humid and the camp had taken to sleeping in their cars with the windows down doing their best to keep the heat from getting to them. Catalina had offered Carol and her daughter the bed of her truck to keep them all from being to cramped and the woman took the offer graciously. From her perch Catalina could see all the cars and her eyes scanned the abandoned road but nothing came up. The city was still too far for them to see but they would no doubt be there before sun down tomorrow. Catalina was glad for the time alone, away from the camp. She hadn't spoken to Shane since she'd finally been able to slap some sense into him and though Rick had asked her to join them for dinner the woman refused and instead insisted on taking up the watch. The camp had been settled for a few hours now and though there was the occasional groan from Jim the night was silent.
Well it had been.
Catalina felt the thuds of someone coming up to join her and immediately the woman's face was void of emotion once again, until she saw the head of none other than Daryl Dixon popping up and returning the scowl that she had tossed his way.
"Git yer ass to sleep I'm taking over the watch." Was all he said as she stood from her spot though blocked it from the man.
"I can handle this watch fine all by myself I'm as fresh as a god damn daisy thank you very much." The woman huffed as she noticed Daryl wasn't budging and instead moved closer towards her.
"Why you gotta be so damn stubborn woman? Go git yer ass some sleep, what good is a watch if the bitch falls asleep cause she's a damn hard head?" Daryl sniped back making the woman narrow her eyes at him as he made it a point to walk around her and walk the length of the RV his eyes glued to the road leaving Catalina to her own devices but the woman had other plans.
"I don't care what you say, I'm not leaving." And Daryl said nothing but shook his head in annoyance as he watched the woman take the other end of the RV facing the woods and mimicked his walking. Letting out an audible growl of annoyance the man braced himself for the long night waiting for him.
The two were silent for what felt like hours but was in all reality only five minutes at most before Daryl heard Catalina snicker softly to herself.
"What the fuck so funny 'bout the end of the world Spic?" He bit out already tired of having her constant presence around him.
"You" The woman said smartly grinning at the man's instant ire as he started to approach her but before anything else could be done the woman had turned and walked away from him, leaving Daryl even angrier and confused. "Just because you walked in on me showering once doesn't mean you get a free look at my ass any time you want."
"What the fu-"The man started to get worked up at everything Catalina was saying but was once again effectively shut off by her reply.
"But it is nice to know that someone still appreciates it." The woman said and Daryl could hear the amusement in her voice as her walking slowed into what the man could only call a hooker walk but his eyes were immediately drawn exactly to where she had accused him of looking and Catalina turned only enough to catch Daryl licking his lips, a dark look in his eyes as she let out a small laugh and continued her torment.
A long damn night
The semester was over and Catalina couldn't have been any more glad for the arrival of the summer break, a chance to just focus on her artwork, no classes, no grades, just creativity. Alexandre had slowly left her to her own devices when he began to realize that for the woman life had progressed to something other than his parties and his music. It had gone from crashing at her house, to asking for money, to calling for the occasional ride and now… He was gone. It had been three months since she'd last heard from the man but that was perfectly fine by Catalina who had for the first time in many long months had agreed to head into Atlanta for some much needed R&R with her friends.
The night had fast approached the young Mexican woman and she had just finished getting ready. Catalina had left her wild tendrils to their own devices, the tight small ringlets falling as they pleased midway down her back as she slipped into a form fitting red dress, the back was cut low but the shredded material covered her back modestly enough. The dress fit her like a glove and though normally Catalina wasn't one to dress promiscuously or really go out, after the year she'd had and going through it without breaking even once, the woman felt she could treat herself.
A pair of black mile high stilettos were waiting for the woman by her door as she put on the final touches of her light make up job, everything about her was simple for the most part and even Catalina had to admit that she looked good and she was ready to dance the night away with her friends who were now honking for her outside, with a final grin the woman turned off the lights to her studio and quickly slipped into her heels before bounding outside to the cat calls and wolf whistles from her friends as she slipped into the Volkswagen Bug that her friend was driving and as they drove straight towards Atlanta Catalina couldn't help but let her stress fly out the window as she forgot everything that had happened that year and let herself just be as the radio was playing out the hottest summer hit and all her friends sang along happily, making the woman laugh.
Once they reached the club it was easy to tell that all eyes had landed on the group of fresh faced women who were heading straight to the dance floor not caring for the group of outsiders that were trying to interrupt their time together. The group of women had slowly become her leaning post, her shelter from the world when everything became too much and she felt like she couldn't breathe. They were what she had been missing in Arizona and she couldn't have been more grateful for finding them here in Georgia.
The hours flew away for the group and some of the girls had finally taken a break and headed for the bar, one had danced off with a reasonably attractive man and that left Catalina and Chance, they were still dancing and laughing about one thing or the other brushing off one guy or the other and completely fixed to the music that filled the club.
"So Alex hasn't called?" Her friend asked suddenly making Catalina look at the girl suspiciously and shake her head.
"He isn't behind me right?" The woman said with a grin at the thought of Alexandre ever heading into a place like this.
"Just curious" The woman said with a grin as they kept dancing all the while Catalina eyeing her mischievous friend wearily. She knew the woman hated Alexandre so why he had been brought up was well beyond Catalina and before she could think much about anything else there was a tapping on her shoulder, gentle but insisting enough to warrant her attention as she turned around and was met face to face with someone she hadn't expected to hear from ever again.
Catalina was sure she was gaping like a fish out of water and suddenly she could hear her friend screaming about a vodka break leaving the woman with none other than Mason Shaw. Dressed to the T in a simple pressed white tee shirt and dark wash denim blue jeans, the woman felt the temperature rise dramatically as her eyes finally locked on the baby blues.
Mason didn't look angry, especially after their last encounter she'd expected him to call her a conceited bitch and walk away but in fact he was smirking at the girl, his eyes trying to focus on her face but tempted to rove her body if only just for a second.
The pair was being pushed off the dance floor and before Catalina could think, Mason had her hand and was wrapping it around his waist while his other hand mimicked the action around her smaller waist, his hand resting on the swell of her hip. Instantly Catalina's eyes headed to the bar as if asking for rescue but all she saw was Chance ordering herself a vodka and cranberry and waving at Catalina to just go with it.
Mason had noticed all of this and for the most part smiled before speaking next to her ear.
"I promise I don't bite." Making Catalina narrow her eyes at him at the pick up line as she asked the man with no tone of amusement
"You mean unless I ask you too?"
"Nope, it's never safe, you might have rabies." The man said with a grin and though Catalina wanted to take offence, the woman shook her had and pressed herself tighter against Mason, surprising the hell out of the man as she beckoned him closer to her and when he was close enough to her she finally told the man.
"Anything I have you'd be lucky to get." And there was that infectious laugh and that great smile as he shook his head and finally the mood around them lightened up into something playful.
"I guess you're right." Mason said with a laugh as Catalina let go of Mason putting enough space between them to let the pair actually dance and Mason couldn't help but notice that every time he tried to pull her in Catalina managed to dance around it and though it was frustrating it just made the man's resolve strengthen because at the end of the day, women like her didn't come along often and he had never been known for backing down from anything.
The rest of the night had gone without incident for Catalina and Daryl, she'd finally gone down to her truck for a few hours of sleep just before dawn leaving Daryl a relieved, frustrated, mess. Ever since the Spic had hit the SAP button it was one thing after the other, first she'd given him a brand spankin' new set of arrows, then she'd wanted to blow his brains out for threatening Jim because he was being a realist and then she'd spent half of the night shaking her ass at him because he'd managed to tell her that he didn't mind staring at it every now and again. He understood women were complicated it was why he never really bothered with the lot, unless he was drunk and getting a guaranteed hassle free night, this one though. Daryl didn't know what way she was going, first she was going left before making a hard right and out of nowhere throwing a few u-turns it was enough to make Daryl question his sanity.
They hadn't said much of anything to one another the rest of the night, but it was like clockwork that whenever Daryl turned around he was met with Catalina's swaying hips and everything there of. It was a dirty game she was playing because he knew well enough that she thought she was too good for him and he wasn't going to lie had this been one year earlier despite her wetback heritage he knew she'd never given him and his dirty clothes a second glance, not that he cared, Daryl just didn't feel like getting played around with. Catalina was better suited for someone like Shane who would take charge and give a shit, Daryl just didn't have it in him, he hunted for himself and if it so happened that he'd caught enough to share then he would because it would be better then letting the damn animal go to waste he had a hard enough time watching out for himself to add silly emotions and some bitch into it.
Daryl didn't make his way down until breakfast the next day, each one offered a canned fruit to help ease the ache in their stomach's, Daryl refused the food though, it was better for one of the kids to eat, he could catch himself some lunch later but for now his stomach was fine he'd gone through worse to start hoarding the food from 10 year olds during the apocalypse, Daryl liked to think he had more dignity and self respect than that. He'd noticed Catalina hadn't joined the camp and that Jacqui had left Jim's bedside which led the man to believe she'd somehow managed to convince the black woman to leave her alone with Jim and leave the woman appeased that she wouldn't try kidnapping the man and it certainly had him wondering what the hell it was going through the woman's mind now.
"Are you sure you don't want some peaches?" Catalina asked Jim from her spot on the stool next to his bedside, the man had grown practically blue with the chills yet the sweat was soaking through his pillow as he adamantly refused her offer and merely continued to look out the window, the sun shining through the windows.
"I know what I want to do." Catalina said nothing to him, her long, drawn out night and restless bout of sleep had taken all the fight out of her and though she wanted to hear that he would go to Atlanta she knew that just wasn't the case and nodded her head, indicating for the man to continue, a silent promise to keep calm and accept whatever it was he wanted to do. Jim took her silence as a deal and looked at the young woman for a second before turning around to look out the window, bathing in the sun's glow and for a moment there was silence. Catalina didn't speak, merely observed the man's action with little more thann
s action with little more that curiosity as he finally opened his eyes once more and turned to look at the young Mexican that had easily worked her way through his walls.
"Do I really need to tell you?" Jim asked the woman and he felt some remorse in watching her deep brown eyes instantly water as she shook her head and left her half eaten canned fruit on the nightstand besides Jim's bed and turned to leave the man, she could accept the fact that he had run his course but that didn't mean that Catalina had to accept that he would willingly leave.
"I'm going to go grab Rick." Catalina said hoarsely, a small choked sob the only other telling tale as she called the group's makeshift leader into the RV but prevented him from heading into the room with Jim.
"What's wrong Catalina? Did he?" She could see the man was having troubles even processing the thought but the woman quickly eased him of that worry and merely looked up at the man somewhat distant as she tried her best to force back the tears.
"He… I think you should talk to him." It was all the woman had the courage to say before she left out of the camper, leaving Rick to Jim while she made her way over to her truck in need of a minute to her self to pull herself together before she had another meltdown.
In the sanctity of her truck Catalina let the tears fall once again, no where near what had happened yesterday but there was still pain in having to lose her friend, a man she had only just met but couldn't help but to feel attached to. They'd known the same pain, they'd fought this long and hard and Catalina just couldn't understand why it was that he of all people had to be taken away from her. She wanted to wallow in self misery and pity but it seemed that the fates had other plans for her because no sooner had she been letting her pain out had a rapping at her window instantly halted her actions and the figure waiting there was enough to make the woman forget her pain.
"What the hell do you want?" Catalina asked through a crack in the window which only made the former police offer smirk, a damn knowing, shit eating smirk that made the woman want to just punch Shane square in the jaw.
"There ain't no need for all this viciousness now is there? I mean if memory serves me right you are the one that spit in all our faces, or am I mistaken? Suddenly after a day of talking to Jim you're the best of friends? Now Miss Catalina I just don't think that makes much sense, now how about you stop making a spectacle of yourself as some of the camp is really startin' to worry."
"Oh officer, your worry really touches me. Listen Shane, I could care less what you or this camp thinks of me, if you rather I leave I will just say the word and me and my crossbow will gladly make our way west, I've got nothing here so how about you test my patience officer?" Catalina spat out venomously, all thoughts of Jim pushed aside as she and Shane stared one another down, the fire in their eyes scolding and it wasn't difficult to tell that whatever there was between them wouldn't be squashed anytime soon. Nothing more was said though because before Shane got the chance to open his mouth one more time a third member was introducing themselves into the conversation.
"Shane?" Rick called breaking the silent stare down between his best friend and the young woman who was still sitting in her car, a trail of tears drying on her tanned skin. "Should I come back in a few minutes?" He asked unsure of what exactly was happening between Shane and Catalina and not exactly wanting to get in the middle of what could have been a lover's spat.
"Not at all Rick what's up?" Shane said after one more dark glare at Catalina who had to control herself to keep herself from flipping the man off in front of Rick who called his friend over after a somber glance at Catalina who managed to hear something about helping Jim and suddenly Shane was no longer important as Catalina did her best not to let her lip quiver or her eyes flood with tears again.
Catalina was thankful for the fact that Carol had offered to drive her truck, Sophia nestled safely between the both of them quietly singing the song that softly played from the stereo, a welcomed distraction from the pain in Catalina's heart after having left Jim to his devices, she wanted to be angry at Rick and at Jim, she wanted to hate them all but the logic in her mind only reminded her that in this world miracles were but a fantasy that you believed in at your own risk.
"Your voice is very pretty Sophia." Catalina remarked warmly to the timid girl who tried to smile but scooted closer to her mother making both women smile as Carol cast an almost apologetic look towards Catalina.
"She's very shy, before this all happened, her father kept us both very close by, we're not used to many people… Or people being nice… But that's over now, this world might have gone to hell in a hand basket but a part of me can't help but feel happier than I have for a while… Does that make me a bad person?" She asked Catalina, a look of confusion crossed her tired features, Sophia once again lost to the music in the comfort of her mother's side, her eyes drooping slightly as they carried their venture on towards Atlanta.
Catalina didn't know what to answer, it was only obvious that Carol and Sophia had both been enduring hell on earth for years before the walkers ran wild but Catalina couldn't say she felt her pain, couldn't' say that she understood. Before this all happened, she was in love, she had found her soulmate, had a good job and was the happiest she'd ever been and in a matter of days it had been taken from her, her boyfriend, her family, her life, her pets even, all gone to shit because of some disease no one could figure out. She felt bad for Carol sure but she'd never in a million years say that what happened was positive.
Taking her silence as a sign that she was wrong Carol shook off the conversation as mere crazy talk.
"You know just forget I said anything, this is a horrible way to live I know."
"We all have the right to happiness and if you can find it now of all times… Cling to it, keep your daughter close and pray that God remembers us all soon." Was all Catalina said to Carol her eyes glued to the outside scenery passing by, Atlanta was no more than a few minutes away and with dusk chasing quickly, Catalina only hoped that they would be able to find some sort of shelter before nightfall because if not then they'd all be joining Jim in the trees soon enough.
For a moment nothing was said, music softly played and Sophia still clung to her mother like a lifeline softening something in Catalina's heart as she smiled warmly at the girl.
"She's a very beautiful girl Carol it's good to see you're not alone."
"Neither are you Catalina." The woman said with a smile as she softly ran her hand over her daughter's hair smoothing it over the girl's smooth and pale skin. Catalina didn't say anything, her smile waned only softly as she looked out the window noticing more and more walkers, hoping that Sophia wouldn't see them just yet and just stay in her safe bubble, if only a few more minutes.
"I mean it you know, there are no hard feelings, we all cope different, I understand, believe me I do and I know Lori and Dale feel the same way. Not to mention…" The woman stopped for a second to laugh softly to herself peaking Catalina's interest as she eyed Carol somewhat wearily.
"What's so funny?" She asked almost afraid to hear the response.
"Nothing at all, I was just going to say Daryl really seems to have taken to you." At this Catalina couldn't help but to roll her eyes and scoff, Daryl? The jackass trailing behind her truck in that beat up torn down gas guzzling waste of space truck? He spent more time insulting her heritage than she'd care to admit, he was not only dirty but crass and when he wasn't busy wasting his breath on her skin color it was gender whatever the hell Carol thought was there, she was pretty off point on that.
"I don't think you see things clearly Carol, we tolerate each other and he isn't half bad at hunting which is why I let him tag along, other then that, if he weren't around, I wouldn't mind." Catalina didn't hate Daryl, he annoyed her more than anything really and after teasing him last night like she had, she couldn't help but to admit that talking to him could really be amusing but to think that they got along? Catalina could laugh at the notion. Carol couldn't help but to laugh a little louder now as she sent a knowing look at Catalina.
"Well maybe you're right but he seemed pretty worried about you when we left Jim."
Oh…Yeah.
Catalina could feel her face warm up and the woman couldn't have been more grateful for the RV stopping because she really didn't want to have to talk about that memory, Daryl was still a jackass and she still didn't like him and Carol was still wrong about everything she was thinking.
"Looks like we're here, Sophia I want you to do something for me OK?" The little girl nodded, her fear had spiked, everyone knew that this was dangerous, even the children, everyone knew that just one slip up would mean something bad for everybody, Carol's earlier light mood had quickly sobered up as the air in truck was now filled with anxious energy, nerves riding on edge as she leaned down to the young girl trying her best not to be too serious or chiding, she wanted to the girl to listen but not to be so afraid she'd trip over one thing because she was too busy paying attention to the other thing.
"I want you to stay behind me and in front of your mommy, can you do that? Can you make sure you keep your eyes open and be as quiet as an itty bitty mouse?" She knew Sophia was young, maybe not young enough for words like itty bitty but if she was silly maybe the terror wouldn't be so bad. Sophia merely nodded a small smile on her face and Catalina couldn't help but grin.
"Atta girl, and maybe one day if your mom lets you I'll take you out hunting and you can show Carl just how much better girls are."
"Just like you show Daryl?" The girl asked.
"Exactly! Now let's get going its getting dark so we have to be extra careful." Sophia once again nodded and when Catalina looked up at Carol the silent thank you that was mouthed to the young woman was met only with a soft nod and smile. After a deep breath Catalina opened her door, waiting for Carol and Sophia to follow pursuit. It wasn't that she felt obligated to watch after the widow and her young child but if they had been kind enough to keep her company through Jim's ordeal then she would do this for them besides if she was the one with the weapons exactly how did she expect Carol to defend her daughter if something did happen?
The women all met up with the rest of the group in front of the RV, but the noise had already roused the attention of the surrounding walkers so it was only after a quick pep talk and of course some arguing on Shane's part that the group finally set off on their last hope. Catalina made sure to avoid the walkers littered across the floor she didn't want to risk a damn thing not with Sophia and Carol behind her so closely. Daryl had trailed behind and she could hear the sound of a few walkers falling to the floor and she only hoped that either of them didn't run out of arrows before the run was through.
The doors to the CDC were bolted down and Catalina couldn't keep the look of shock off her face, what the hell were they going to do now? Where would they go? What were they going to do? She hated to admit it but Shane had been right and Rick had led them straight into a death trap, where they would be able to go Catalina had no clue but Sophia was no longer holding up the brave front and was once again clinging to her mother like a life support. They needed to make a run now while a pathway could still be made to the car but Rick seemed to have other plans.
He was going to get them all killed, they were all dead. All of this fighting, losing the people she loved, all of it was for this? To die in front of a false beacon of hope; Catalina felt sick she didn't know what to do, some of the group was starting to run but her feet felt like lead weights she couldn't move, she felt Sophia's soft but urging tug on her hand to move but try as she might Catalina couldn't get her feet to move.
"Spic!" She heard the same annoying gruff voice call to her before tugging her roughly. "Move yer ass! How many times we gotta tell ya?" His words were falling on deaf ears a part of her was tired of fighting and a part of her was so scared she couldn't move while a small part of her was trying to convince her to fight and run but all she could do was stare at Daryl like a deer caught in headlights.
The blinding light that came from the CDC was like a godsend, a mirage, a damn miracle and before she could think any further she felt a large calloused hand taking grip of her arm and tugging her roughly and Catalina couldn't be angry at Daryl because she had been the one to choke at the moment she was needed most. The woman said nothing through the strange doctor's interrogation and warning of not getting back out, pretended not to notice Daryl's grip still on her arm or Sophia softly grasping her hand, squeezing it for reassurance. Instead she followed the group on the walk to the elevator, everything in her numb and at this point dying in an elevator though it felt like a minute reality felt like the next possible step since being out of the line of fire for biters was no longer an issue.
Everything felt like a dream the further underground they went and Catalina was only mildly aware of the fact that Daryl was no longer holding onto her but that Sophia's hand was still nestled comfortably with hers and her mother's. It gave Catalina a distraction, she felt insanely guilt that she had let down the young girl but Sophia either didn't notice or didn't care because when the elevator door opened she trudged along taking Catalina with her leaving Daryl in the back as they went through the hall and into a main area where everyone was surprised by the lack of doctor's and researchers but Catalina could only find it in her to let the others take lead for a second.
She wasn't entirely sure what had happened in the back, for a moment Catalina's will to leave was left on the back burner and it had almost cost her, her life and she had no doubt let Sophia and Carol down when she had promised herself she'd watch over them. Catalina was angry at herself and it was easy to tell that as Sophia continued to tug her along that she was only going through the motions trying to find a way to apologize.
It was while they were all having their blood tested for the virus and Carol had left Sophia to Catalina for a moment that the young girl finally looked up at Catalina, hands still clasped together.
"Are you scared of needles?" She asked innocently watching as her mother feigned the brave front of having blood drawn from her. Catalina could only shrug and smile half heartedly.
"It's just a little pinch and then you're done, my mama always used to tell me to look away so I wouldn't feel it. I always did, but I like to think it hurt a little less… I'm sorry Sophia."
"For what?" The freckle faced girl asked with surprise as she rested her head on Catalina's shoulder.
"I dropped the ball I got scared and really let you and your mommy down."
"No you didn't. You kept us safe and when you couldn't Daryl did, he likes to act scary but I don't think he's all that bad, I saw him give your cats a mouse one time, he doesn't know I saw but I did. I think he liked them and can I tell you a secret?" Catalina couldn't help but laugh and nod, her sudden somber mood replaced by the good spirit of forgiveness that this little girl simply seeped in.
"Anything."
"I think he has a crush on you." And immediately Catalina couldn't help but laugh out loud earning her more than one look from her less compassionate camp members but the woman didn't actually care.
"I don't think so."
"I do, don't you remember? If he hits you and teases you and calls you names then duh he has to like you. Plus he saved you, just like the prince always rescues the princess and they live happily ever after." Catalina felt her throat close up at the thought of a sweet prince but she merely grinned and brought Sophia's small hand up to her lips.
"I think this princess is more worried about dinner than a prince, let's go get something to eat, I bet you're real tired of all that squirrel." And the girl couldn't help but to laugh and nod as they were joined by Carol a warm smile on her face.
"Now what's so funny?"
"Just a little story telling, let's go get some food." Catalina urged, finally sending Sophia along ahead with her mother but not before casting a mischievous wink at the girl who giggled and hurried to keep up with her mother.
Dinner had been marvelous freeze dried food yes, but actual food nonetheless. Catalina couldn't believe how much she'd missed instant mashed potatoes but damn had she missed them. Everyone had worked their way through their second plate already and the adult were all working on their fourth bottle of wine, Daryl instantly snatching his own but even he had gathered into the good times and was laughing, occasionally casting a look at Catalina that she'd return though not exactly sure what the hell was going on between them at the moment but with the amount of wine in her veins it was only going to end up in one place… But she'd control herself, because Daryl was much too good for a dirty spic.
It seemed that Shane though was on the mission to thoroughly ruin everyone's evening, like a dog with a bone; unrelenting. He continued on Dr. Jenner until the man told them everything. Of the suicides and the abandonment of how he'd wanted to stay on board as long as he could and was now simply stuck, it had been enough to make everyone full as they were finally led to the rooms, Catalina picking the one beside Carol and Sophia, not surprised to find that Daryl had chosen a room that was furthest away from the group. The rest of them had littered about instantly claiming their spots until the mention of hot shower and instantly the ears perked up and everyone, even Daryl, was rushing off to find a vacant stall…
One hot shower and half a bottle of wine later, Catalina laid in her bed staring up at the ceiling, her hair felt soft to the touch once again and the old football jersey she was wearing was sliding up pooling at her thighs leaving her thighs bared to the cool air conditioned room. Legs silky smooth from the fresh shave, everything about her felt new and refreshed and the alcohol in her blood made everything feel so damn good. She had seen the lights go out long ago, all but one, she knew who's it was and the woman could care less about what would happen tomorrow. With one final drink from the bottle of sweet asti wine the woman closed the door to her room and quietly padded through to the end of the hall where the light shone through.
The door was open just a crack and the light flood through into the hall from there but there was no noise? Her stomach was tied in knots, she should leave, she was being an idiot, a drunken, horny idiot acting like some man in a bar trying to find a warm body to lie with. What if he was asleep? Well then she'd just walk her way back to her bed drink until she blacked out and hopefully never remember what she just did… Or she could sneak into his bed and give him the wake up call of a life time… The thought was tempting.
She pushed the door open softly to find him in a recliner, leaning back a bottle of red wine in his hand a look of surprise on his face when he saw a half naked Catalina with hair as wild as the wind leaning against his doorway, her face flushed with liquor and a look in her eyes he hadn't seen in her before.
"Ya lost little lamb?" His voice was gruff, deep and it flowed right through Catalina and straight down to the pit of her stomach sending chills everywhere they dared to venture.
"Looking for a big bad wolf actually any idea where one might be?" The woman smirked, making her way into the bedroom, making sure to close and lock the door feeling a sense of power in the way she could see Daryl's grip on the bottle tighten as he lifted the bottle up to his lips before answering with the same rough voice.
"I don't think that's a smart idea."
"And I think that you should leave the thinking to me." It had felt like the longest walk of her life but she'd finally reached the man that had been on her mind, good, or bad, since she'd met him. Daryl finally left the bottle on the table besides his recliner before bringing it up to Catalina's thigh soaking in the feel of her soft skin, watching it break out in goosebumps as his hand disappeared underneath the jersey and grabbed a hold of her supple hips, the sound that escaped her lips and the roll of her eyes stroking the man's ego as he roughly pulled her onto his lap met with her soft fragrance and slight weight pressed against him dangerously.
"If I did that we'd all be dead by now so how about you just shut your trap and I'll put that mouth to work on something better." Catalina's only response was to grind roughly against Daryl, the rough material of his jeans causing a delicious friction for the woman who let out a low groan when she felt Daryl's hands making their way up the jersey playing with the hem of her panties up her small waist stopping just below her breasts making teasing circles beneath her bare flesh making the woman practically cry in frustration. "Is this how you treat all the guys you hate?" The man asked with a smirk and God Catalina just wanted to shut him up and move on already. Be it the alcohol, her attraction to the man, or the fact that they were all just waiting around to die but damn it this woman wasn't going to die without having shut the man up.
With no warning, Catalina's mouth crashed into Daryl's freezing him for the moment before he took hold of her face, deepening the kiss with no remorse as she ground herself against him, the noises she was making sending Daryl to the stars as she made her way down his mouth to his neck, her teeth grazing a trail to the man's pulse point before attacking the area and suddenly it was his turn to make incoherent noises as Catalina continued her assault of his neck and chest, tugging at the wife beater he wore as she continued to grind against the man who finally seemed to have had enough and took back control by firmly grabbing onto the young woman's ass and holding her against him stilling her moves until he let her.
"Take it off." He ordered the woman his eyes glued to her chest and it wasn't left to question who it was that would be taking the lead tonight as Catalina obediently, albeit slowly lifted the jersey over her head exposing bit by bit of her soft honeyed skin to Daryl who couldn't help but to buck up into the woman as she took her excruciating time to reveal her naked form to him. When the shirt was gone Catalina was surprised to see Daryl soaking in the moment instead of taking charge once again. Instead his eyes hungrily grazed every bit of her body, his tongue darting out between his lips every time her chest heaved up with a heavy breath. He'd seen his fair share of women but damn Catalina was a prime example of the female form even with the black hipsters that were covering her most precious areas, everything about her was something that he wanted to take over and watch her come until she cried, something he'd do his best to make happen tonight after all when would he have another half naked woman throwing herself at him?
Lifting his arms for a second he was glad to see that Catalina had gotten the hint as she wasted no time in drawing up the material of his flimsy shirt by no means taking her time as she eagerly revealed the man's body to her greedy eyes, not surprised to find that unlike her seemingly flawless skin, his was littered in scars and crappy tattoos. Her hands delicately ran along a nasty scar that had healed white right across his chest and though he was uncomfortable Daryl did nothing and was surprised when he felt her lips brush against the scar with a story he wasn't so willing to tell. She continued the action on down his body, her legs sliding off Daryl and until she rested in between his legs, kneeled before the man, her lips trailing down to his stomach, the soft sentiment suddenly a carnal gesture as her lips were met with the heavy material of his pants and back was the sultry Latina in charge of the situation as she with no remorse took over and nimbly undid the belt and zipper holding up his pants wasting no time in sliding them and his boxers down to his ankles biting her lips at the prize waiting for her.
He was thick, and his length was nothing to be laughed at and her brief standstill told Daryl as such as he smirked and bucked up before speaking to the woman.
"It ain't gone bite back… Maybe." The woman huffed silently at the man before wrapping her lips around the tip with no hesitance pleased to feel Daryl buck up against her lips slightly a low moan escaping his lips as his fingers wrapped into her tight tendrils. "Shit." The only word he continually muttered as Catalina took him deeper into her mouth, low moans escaping her throat as she felt his other hand slide down to pinch her nipples. She could feel when Daryl was close, he tensed up and tightened in her mouth but before she could finish she found herself lifted back on to his lap and with no warning her panties were shoved to the side and Catalina found herself filled to the brim with redneck.
The woman bit her lip to keep from screaming but threw her head back, a low growl escaping her as she rode Daryl shamelessly. One hand fell into his hair, pulling tightly trying her best to remember that no matter how private the room, the walls were thin and she didn't want to have anyone walk into an eyeful. Daryl for his part simply watched the Mexican woman who swallowed her moans with every bit of force she had and he couldn't help but let his ego swell knowing that it was him that she had crawled to and him that was making her buck wildly trying to get as much of him as she could. With one hand gripped tightly on the swell of her hip Daryl trailed his free hand over the woman's shaking thighs, his feather touches sending the woman into a frenzy of low moans as she tried her best not to be loud making Daryl laugh as his fingers deftly found the tense bundle of nerves between her legs and he mercilessly began to tease the woman, his fingers drawing rapid circles firmly against her clit and before the woman could react she let out a sharp moan of surprise that threw even Daryl off as he found her lips once again pressed against his as she continued to buck against him wildly swallowing her moans and Daryl found that the noises she was making was quickly sending him off the edge.
Her eyes were wild, dark, and filled with nothing more than wanton need and he didn't care who you were when a woman gave you that look, your ego was definitely stroked… As well as a few other choice parts, without warning Daryl picked himself and Catalina up roughly from the couch and the sudden movement created a delicious friction in Catalina that almost broke the woman who let out another uncaught moan only to find Daryl's hand over her mouth.
"Keep quiet bitch, unless you want your little cop boyfriend to find you." Daryl saw the instant ire in her eyes as he dropped her carelessly in the bed and if he would have given her the chance, Catalina would have stormed off but the look in his eyes stopped her dead in her tracks and she had to make a mental note, not to rub her legs together in want and anxious need for the man she had tried her best to never let get under her skin.
Catalina wanted not to be so affected by this man but even as he insulted and angered her, Catalina couldn't help but to give into Daryl when he gripped her legs and opened them roughly to accommodate himself, and when he yanked her up to meet him Catalina's anger was pushed to the side by a surge of lust and as Daryl ground himself against her the friction of skin on skin had Catalina on the brink of insanity as she tried to reach between them and pick up where they left off only to find Daryl's hand on her wrist yanking her hand away and pulling away from Catalina making the woman groan in frustration and need.
It was when she saw him kneel before the twin mattress that she felt her throat tighten at the look in his eyes as he spread her legs wider giving the man an entirely indecent view of all of her. Daryl had always been told by his brother that no real man would ever get on his knees for a woman, no matter what. Real men didn't taste a woman the way women "loved" to eat dick, real class act the man was and though the memories of his brother caused a pang in his heart for a split second and though Daryl had never had much experience with this act he couldn't deny that every part of Catalina was an addiction and he wanted to make sure that even if this never happened again, when she was alone in her truck and when she thought she was safe for five minutes her mind would go to him, To these moments, to her fists clenched against the mattress her mind focused on nothing but his breath on her quivering thighs.
"Shit." He could hear her soft, breathy reiterations of the word as his lips ghosted against her thighs, his rough hands held an unrelenting grip on her hips as she was dragged off the bed to his waiting lips. Daryl couldn't say he had a preference for doing these sorts of things of that he was any good at it but he couldn't help but to want to make sure Catalina had been thoroughly claimed by the man she couldn't even stand to speak to. Daryl memorized every small hitch in her breath and every cry that Catalina tried to keep in as his scruffy face licked and nipped a rough trail up the inside of her thighs and though it hurt like hell Daryl let out a chuckle when the young woman wound her hand tight into his hair practically shoving him face first into her womanhood.
For a moment Daryl did nothing, his hot breath against her driving Catalina to insanity as his calloused hands smoothed a trail up and down her silky dusky thighs and as she tried not to buck against him the woman couldn't help but to relent against him.
"Please," She begged shamelessly, her back arching off the bed when she felt Daryl's lips ghosting just so damn close but just not close enough.
"Please what, Spic?" Daryl smirked and he knew he had her when instead of getting angry, instead of slapping him and storming out she continued to squirm on his bed in unfulfilled need and answered him with no argument.
"Fuck me." The woman pleaded with Daryl, her breath no stronger than a breathy whisper and it was those words, those shameless words of need that drove the man to forget his teasing games as he finally listened to his primal instincts to take and claim, and do just what it was Catalina wanted of him.
He gave her slit a long, slow lick, pressed firmly against her and Catalina became undone almost instantly by the sole action, his tongue worked marvels against her, and once again she was thrashing on the bed, the hand wound in Daryl's hair pulling tightly as she used her other hand to find a pillow to bite on trying to hide the moans of ecstasy that Daryl was milking out of her with little effort.
Daryl couldn't say that he had ever enjoyed going down on a woman, some of it because of his brother some of it because he thought it was unclean and mostly because he just didn't see the point in drawing out the damn thing, preferring to get it over and done with but with Catalina Daryl couldn't lie. The way he had to pin her down the way his tongue flipping up against her clit would set her off or the way his fingers gripped the dips of her hips like a vise, everything about her was primal, was fierce, was needed. It wasn't until he felt her thighs shaking and the rough pull of his hair, Catalina's sign that she wanted him close to her again did Daryl finally relent his attack on the woman as she without thinking brought his lips down on hers and the act of tasting herself on his lips made the woman grind against Daryl who bit her lip in warning.
"Fuck me." She ordered the man once again, her voice was soft but the look in her eyes left little room for argument, not that Daryl would have anyway and in one swift motion the two were joined again, lips locked to keep their moans quiet as Catalina wrapped herself tightly around Daryl wanting him as close to her as could be, wanting every inch of her skin to be covered by the infuriating man currently above her.
Their pace was frantic and the room was filled with the hot air of sex and their low moans as well as the occasion shush from one or the other, when Daryl found himself on the brink he suddenly released his grip on Catalina only to grip her knees and spread her legs wider giving him deeper access to the woman who was writhing uncontrollably against him.
"Oh yes." She moaned, her arms coming up to the wall above her head as she tried to brace herself, feeling her release coming in just a few short moments accelerated by the fact that Daryl's hand had once again found it's way down to her clit and his fingers were once again unrelenting in their attack of rapid circles making the woman bite her arm.
"Please don't." Catalina tried to beg much to Daryl's amusement and ego as he leaned closer to the writhing woman, his hand still attacking her tense bundle of nerves as he whispered to her huskily.
"I ain't gon' stop 'til you come for me bitch." And if the words hadn't heated her enough Daryl leaned down to trap one of her nipples between his teeth biting down somewhat roughly causing the woman to scream but writhe in overwhelming pleasure.
"So close." She repeated over and over until Daryl released his mouth from her nipple only to brush his tongue against it, lavishing it with care finally breaking the woman who arched taught as a bowstring as she felt Daryl continually pumping into her before she finally relaxed, every inch of her body twitching in response to the climax she'd just had but it seemed that Daryl had other plans for her as she was lifted up only to find that she was now riding the man and instantly the fire low in loins began once again and the only thing she could hear were Daryl's words ringing in her ears.
"You don't know what ya done got yourself into little red." Truer words had never been spoken.