Raven lay completely content. She listened to his heart beat slow and steady but quicken as she placed a kiss on his chest. They had eventually moved their love making to his house and hadn't left his bed for two days.

"If I would have known you could make me feel like this, I would have fallen off a lot more ladders"

She smiled loving the sound of his low husky laugh rumble in his chest.

Playing with her hair he retorted

"I got something you can climb on"

Laughter erupted between the two as he kissed her slow and deep. Nibbling on her neck he continued...

"Now don't get upset but..."

Oh crap she thought, instantly worried. Raven stopped his kisses, looking deep into his beautiful blue eyes

"what?"

Daryl sighed kissing her again with a small laugh "It's not all that serious...but it's my turn to go on a run. I told Rick before all this that I would go on the next one. I leave later today with Aaron and Sasha"

Raven's heart hurt. She hated it. She knew what he was doing was the right thing to do but she still hated it. They had just started this great thing and now he would be gone.

"Hey" he said softly, kissing her so tenderly she thought she might cry. "I'll be fine, I always am. It's only for four weeks then I won't have to go again for another couple months. If we get a big haul, I could be home sooner."

Raven thought for a moment.

"What about if I come?"

"Absolutely not"

"Why? I'm a great shot and you know I can put down walkers"

"I know...it's just that...I'd be safer without you. If you were there I'd be constantly trying to watch out for you because that's who I am and that could get us both hurt or killed"

Raven was quiet. She knew he was right but she still didn't like it.

"Besides I bet two little girls are missing you and would be really happy to see you again"

Raven had to smile. She had missed them too and would definitely love to hang out with them again.

"Fine" she groaned which garnered another laugh from Daryl.

He began to kiss her again while his hands began to roam her body. Raven sighed against his lips loving the exquisite pleasure only he could bring her. Just as their desire began to ignite a knock on the door interrupted their passion. Daryl groaned into his pillow.

"They're early"

Raven had to giggle at him and he gave her one of his charming half smiles. "I'll get it" she smiled. "You should probably get in the shower...and by the looks of things probably a cold one".

She squealed as he swiped at her, trying to pull her back into the bed. Slipping on her jeans, she looked around for her top but decided on slipping Daryl's denim one on instead. She breathed it in and closed her eyes. It smelled just like him. She would have to remember to take this with her back to Caroline's. Happily she walked to the door pulling it open. Her face immediately fell. Standing there was the girl Daryl had been with at the party.

"Can I help you?"

The girls eyes narrowed and then she looked past her. "Daryl here?"

"He's... um indisposed at the moment, can I give him a message?"

Raven felt a hand slide around her waist and she looked up to see a dripping wet Daryl standing there. He had slipped on his jeans but was still shirtless and the water droplets from his hair dripped down his chest making him look incredible... she thought looked good enough to eat and wanted the girl to go away immediately.

"Oh hey Kaitlyn, I don't know if you've met my old lady. This is Raven. Raven, Kaitlyn."

Raven wasn't fond him introducing her to this girl AT ALL... and glared at Daryl. He looked at clueless until it hit him. Raven watched as he became completely embarrassed. Raven figured he had probably been so drunk that night he probably didn't have a clue who he been messing around with until now. Looking at her with pleading eyes, Raven nodded and excused herself. She watched as Daryl slipped out the door and close it quietly behind him.

"Hey Kaitlyn"

The small girl smiled brightly and rushed to him to throw her arms around his neck. Daryl grabbed her wrists and put them back down by her sides, taking a step back.

"Listen, I owe you an apology. I never meant to lead you on or anything and I ..."

Kaitlyn interrupted

"You didn't lead me on Daryl you wanted me, I know it"

Daryl sighed. He was trying to be nice about this but she was making it pretty difficult. He knew Kaitlyn had a crush on him for awhile now. She was young, maybe 19 or 20 and was nice enough but he had never been attracted to her. He could seriously kick himself for involving her in his stupid idea. He knew she would be a nightmare to get rid of.

"No, I never wanted you. I used you. I was mad at Raven and wanted to hurt her and I used you to do it. I was wrong on both accounts. I shouldn't have done that to either one of you and for that I'm sorry."

Daryl could see storm clouds brewing in the girls brown eyes but were gone in an instant.

"You'll change your mind someday Daryl and I'll be here waiting for you"

Daryl watched as Kaitlyn flipped her hair and stormed off. He knew she could be trouble but for now, situation adverted.

Raven stood next to Daryl's bike watching him check everything. She knew she wouldn't cry...she might go home and ball her eyes out later but for now she had to be strong and not send him out there worrying that she was falling apart at home. Giving her one of his smiles she hugged him tight and gave him a smile back. Cupping her face with his hands kissing her sweetly then whispering "don't go falling off any ladders while I'm gone". She laughed and watched as his Harley roared to life. Kicking off he went roaring through the gates followed by Sasha and Aaron in the truck.

Raven walked away with a little bit of a heavy heart. She knew he'd be OK, but she would miss him terribly. Walking past a gaggle of girls Raven couldn't help turning her head when she heard them whispering. Kaitlyn stood in the middle of the group staring her down. Great. Just what I need...some obsessive teenage Daryl junkie. Ignoring them she walked past but then was stopped by another female...this one much more formidable than the others...Michonne.

Raven stared at her and admired her fierce beauty. She reminded her of a panther, so sleek, beautiful and dangerous. She had hoped she would never get on her bad side. She stood there arms folded looking Raven up and down.

"So Rick says you're a pretty good shot"

Raven shrugged nervously "I do OK I guess"

Man! she makes me more nervous than Daryl did when I first met him! she thought.

"I heard pretty good with a bow too"

Raven stared at her...where was she going with this?

"What about hand to hand combat?"

Raven looked away and then answered "No, I don't have a lot of experience there"

"We start tomorrow morning, 8 O'clock. that should give you time to get up, take care of your horse then get yourself to my house for your training. Any questions?"

Raven shook her head.

"Good" Michonne smiled "and don't worry, it won't hurt...much"

Oh God.

"ompf". Raven hit the ground for the hundredth time today while Michonne yelled "Get up!" Raven knew this had been a big mistake. She had been so nervous this morning she had woken before dawn. She had spent time with Sid cleaning his stall and giving him breakfast. She showed up at Rick and Michonne's 15 minutes early to stay on her good side but after hours of this she wasn't sure she had one.

Raven lay on the ground trying to catch her breath when Michonne shoved her boot in her side "I said get up". Raven groaned and rolled to her feet. Putting her hands up she had, had enough.

"I'm done Michonne, I can't do this...this isn't me"

Michonne looked her up and down and smirked. "Yeah, that's what I thought"

What the hell was her problem?

"What do you mean that's what you thought?"

"You don't deserve Daryl"

Now she was pissed.

"Who in the hell are you to tell me I don't deserve him?"

Michonne stepped to her just two inches from her face.

"I'm his family"

Raven gulped afraid to move. Michonne continued

"You have to learn to fight here" tapping Raven's forehead "and here" grabbing her hands pulling them in front of her. "If you don't, it will get Daryl killed...or worse you killed and he'll have to live with another loss. What happened with Gregory...do you want that to happen again? Daryl can't always be there to save you, sometimes you have to save yourself. You're weak...mentally and physically...but you don't have to be. It's your choice"

Raven stood there frozen. nobody had ever talked to her like that.

"We're done here for today. Think about what I said. If you care about him as much as you say you do then you'll be here tomorrow ready to learn"

Raven walked away slowly.

As Michonne watched Raven go Rick appeared wrapping his arms around her waist. "What do you think?" he asked

"I'll answer that tomorrow"

Raven sat in the shower floor letting the steaming water pound on her poor aching body. Looking at her arms and legs, there were so many bruises she couldn't count them all. Rolling her head back, she closed her eyes remembering what Michonne had said. Would she really get Daryl killed? She could never live with herself if that happened. She then thought about what she had said about Gregory. It was true, she never wanted to feel that helpless again.

Later lying on her bed, wrapped in Daryl shirt, she had finally made her decision. She knew Michonne wasn't expecting her, and maybe she was right in thinking so, but now she had something to prove and being a burden to Daryl or anyone else for that matter would no longer be an option.

The next morning Raven sat on the front steps as she heard the door quietly open and close. Michonne sat down next to her lacing her boots.

"I'm not weak" Raven started.

Michonne stopped, looking at her.

"I haven't always been behind walls. I've had to do things. I had to put my own father down..." Raven trailed off staring out into space. She hadn't thought about that day in a long time and knew she didn't want to now.

"That's not what I meant" said Michonne softly.

Raven looked at her confused.

"If there's ever a next time where some drunk asshole gets in your face and screams, you won't run. You will knock him on his ass"

Raven couldn't help but grin. Michonne stood up stretching and motioned for Raven to do the same. After warming up and stretching their muscles Michonne continued to explain.

"Today we run, give our bodies time to heal from fighting. That's how we do this. Every other day we fight and in between run."

Raven nodded.

Michonne set a brisk pace that Raven matched as they began jogging the perimeter walls. Michonne became somewhat impressed that Raven matched her pace without seemingly having any trouble. Raven liked this part. She always loved running, or at least she did in her old life. It had been her way to blow off steam or refocus herself. Yes, this she could handle.

For the next couple of weeks that's how Raven's days were spent. Running and fighting. Her evenings were spent with Sid, Caroline, Molly and Katie. She still hadn't knocked down Michonne yet but she was improving and was quite proud of that. Michonne had also introduced meditation into her life. At first she thought it was pretty weird but after awhile she began understanding the importance of it. Focus was the key in everything and the meditation helped her learn this.

Raven rubbed her jaw, Mochonne had tagged her a good one. Refocusing, they circled each other waiting for the other to make the first move. Michonne went , going for a kick to the side. Raven dodged it and was stunned for a moment that Michonne was off balance. It was her shot! Too late...as she lay flat on her back from a leg sweep. "Dammit!" She exclaimed slamming the ground with her fist. Michonne stood over her smiling offering her a hand up.

"It's that split second that you can't hesitate...but good job. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't impressed in how far you've come in just a few weeks."

Raven grinned at her. She had to admit, she was pretty proud of herself too.

"Do you have a knife? Like a hunting knife?" Michonne asked

Raven looked at her wondering then nodded.

"Yeah"

"Good, bring it for tomorrow's run. I'm thinking of running outside the walls...something just freeing about it. We might need it if we run into any walkers"

Raven nodded and had to admit she was a little excited about the thought of running outside the walls.

She had stayed later than usual and found herself walking quickly in the dusk. It was almost dark and the girls would probably be annoyed with her. It was game night and this morning they had been looking forward to beating her at Candyland. Raven turned the corner but stopped suddenly. The group of girls she had seen with Kaitlyn a few weeks ago stood in her way. She attempted to go around them but as she did, they all spread out. Raven noticed a couple of them were carrying sticks. Kaitlyn then stepped out of the shadows. Lovely.

"Hello bitch"

Raven stared at her not saying a word.

"You scared? You should be. We're here to teach you a lesson in how bitches should never mess with another girls' man."

Raven swallowed but a calm came over her as she began to notice the other girls didn't seem so sure of this and looked a little nervous. One of the girls that was holding a stick stepped to her when Raven did a leg sweep taking her down and grabbing her stick. She had done it in less than 3 seconds and had to admit she was a little impressed with herself. The other girls sensing this had been a really bad idea, put their hands up, dropping their sticks and began walking away. Kaitlyn was furious.

"Get back here! There's only one of her, we can do this!"

Kaitlyn looked horrified as Raven advanced on her. She couldn't lie, she had felt an immense satisfaction when she felt Kaitlyn's nose crunch under her fist. As blood spurted out and the girl began to sob, she realized something. That had been her just a few short weeks ago. She wouldn't have been able to defend herself from this group of girls or probably from a single punch. Michonne had been dead on and she now understood why she had called her weak. Raven threw the stick to the ground, turned and walked away happy that she indeed had learned something.

The next morning Raven and Michonne jogged through gate as Rick stood on the guard post.

"Be carefuout there" he called down

Michonne giving him a brilliant smile and blowing a kiss shot back "always am"

Raven grinned but felt her heart tug a little at their interaction. She was really missing Daryl these days and she couldn't wait to show him her new moves. Running for awhile, Raven slowed and then stopped. Michonne called back

"Come on lazy, get a move on"

"Wait Michonne come look at this"

Michonne jogged back looking at where Raven had pointed.

"What?"

"You don't see these tracks?"

Michonne looked closer see some hoof prints

"Oh...yeah, so?"

"Those are a lot of prints and they're fresh. There has to be a herd of deer nearby...that would be a lot of food for Alexandria."

Michonne stepped back impressed with the girl.

"Good catch. We'll tell Rick when we get back. C'mon"

The two women finished their uneventful run and told Rick what she had found.

"Alright...good, I'll get together a hunting party and we'll go check it out."

Raven shook her head. "No, I'm going. I'm the best chance you have at tracking these deer with Daryl gone, trust me...my dad used to say I was born to do this"

Rick looked at her for a moment and nodded. "OK but me and Michonne go with you. Give me two days to make sure all the posts can be covered"

Raven nodded. From the tracks it had been a larger herd and they probably wouldn't be moving that fast.

The next morning Rick stood and watched as the two women sparred. The morning sun was making the sheen on their bodies glisten. This had been a fantastic battle. As he watched the women circle and eye each other a familiar voice came up behind him

"What the hell?"

Rick turned and smiled throwing an arm around Daryl's neck.

"Shhh...just watch"

When Daryl had pulled in he had caught a glimpse of Michonne fighting someone in the clearing. His normal instincts had kicked in and he had rushed to see if everything was alright. He was mortified to see it was Raven.

The two men watched as the women continued to circle each other. It was like watching a cobra and a mongoose, seeing them dart here and step there. Then suddenly Michonne lunged while Raven avoided her just by a whisker but it was enough to get her off balance. Raven brought her fist down slamming Michonne to the ground. The two women stared at each other for a moment until Michonne broke out into a huge grin.

"Finally!" yelled Raven laughing as she offered Michonne a hand up.

Rick looked at Daryl staring in disbelief. "Yeah...about that. Michonne has been teaching her a few things"

The two women laughed and smacked hands when Raven caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye. Slowly turning she broke into a run with her feet pounding on the ground as fast as she could she launched herself at Daryl who caught her, burying his face in her neck. Wrapping herself around him she couldn't help but kiss his face all over. Hugging him tight she heard a laugh and Michonne say

"Hey now, save some for the rest of us"

Daryl reluctantly set her back on the ground giving Michonne a hug. Rick asked

"When you get in?"

"Just a few minutes ago. I snuck in, wanted to surprise y'all but looks like I'm the one that was in for a shocker" Daryl said staring at Raven.

Rick laughed and said "C'mon...you hungry? We got some stuff made..."

"Starved" he said staring at Raven. "I'll see you guys later" grabbing her by the hand quickly pulling her away.

Daryl shoved her up against the wall of bedroom kissing her for all he was worth. He could not get enough of her. He knew he stunk of blood, sweat and guts but it was going to be tough to stop. Finally he did.

"Hey" he said softly "Lemme take a shower real quick. I got 3 and a half weeks of road grime on me and..."

Raven put a finger to his lips "shhhh" she said pulling him into the bathroom.

The water ran over their naked bodies washing away any doubt or fear they had. As he began washing he felt her from behind softly washing his back. As the cloth moved slowly over him he felt her lips as she kissed his scars. Never had he felt so vulnerable but yet so touched. Turning he picked her up kissing her deep. She began slowly sucking on his tongue and a low growl rumbled from his chest. Clean enough he thought and carried her to the bedroom with her legs still wrapped around his waist and his mouth still exploring every part of her.

Laying on the bed his hands began to travel all over her body. Hearing her gasp as he eased his fingers inside her, his want became uncontrollable. He had wanted to do this sweet and slow but his body was saying otherwise. She surprised him as she moved and pushed him back on the bed. He could see the want on her face as well and moaned deep as he felt her guide his throbbing cock into her enflamed womanhood. He watched as she began moving slowly tossing her hair back, taking him all in. He had never seen anything so beautiful. Pulling her closer he licked and teased her nipples hearing her cries grow louder. Feeling her body shudder and convulse around his shaft he felt his own sweet release explode inside her. He had dreamt of her while out on the road and couldn't wait to get back to her thinking of how much he had wanted her just like this.

Laying there for awhile, they didn't need to speak, they just needed the closeness of each other. They heard his belly rumble and laughed, that reminded him.

"Hey, I found something...figured I'd keep one here in case you ever want to use it"

Raven grinned at him curiously

Grabbing his bag pulling the metal pot out she burst out laughing.

"what?" he grinned

"Is that a hint Mr Dixon?"

He smiled "just sayin'...you said you love cooking with these things and I li,e eating stuff that comes from these things so...". He watched her as she turned the pressure cooker over in her hands inspecting it. "Its a good one" she smiled.

"Good...I think there's a venison roast left in my freezer"

He was surprised as her head jerked up staring at him.

"Daryl, I almost forgot...Michonne and I went for a run outside the walls and..."

"why would you run outside the walls?!" he interrupted.

Giving him a chastising stare she continued.

"I found fresh deer tracks. Looks like a lot of them. I just found them yesterday so they shouldn't be too far"

Daryl stared at her and couldn't help teasing "So you're a tracker now?"

Without missing a beat she retorted "Who do you think taught you white people how to track in the first place?"

He had to laugh "Point taken"

She leaned on him and begun telling him of her planned hunting trip with Rick and Michonne.

"Nah, I'll go."

"I'm not staying here Daryl. I mean it." and he knew she did.

"No I mean I'll go with you. Let Rick and Michonne handle things here."

"You sure? I know you must be tired from being out on the road"

"You kiddin'? Out in the woods with you in a tent? That be like me vacationing in my summer home."

Raven laughed and laid her head back on his chest and they were once again completely wrapped up in each other.

By the gate, Daryl and Raven went over their gear making sure they had everything they needed. Raven was a little startled as Kaitlyn walked by but had to turn away worried she might laugh. Kaitlyn's eyes were black and blue and she looked a bit like a racoon except for the tape across her nose. She heard Daryl mumble

"Damn...what happened to her?"

It was all she could do not to bust up laughing.

"C'mon let's go, I'll show you the tracks".

Walking through and giving Rick a wave she found the spot where she had seen them. Daryl stared for a moment then looked at her

"You were right, looks like it's a good size herd too. C'mon they went this way"

Walking away Raven saw another set a multiple shoeprints but ignored them. They could have been from anyone including walkers. Quietly walking through the dense forest Daryl slowed to a stop inspecting the ground. Raven walked past him, noticing a some branches that had been recently munched on.

"Found it" she smiled picking up the trail.

Daryl watched as her perfectly round bottom disappeared behind some trees and wondered how she would react to an afternoon romp under some trees. Feeling something smack him on the back of his head, he faught to keep his eyes open but his world was spinning then fading to black with the last sound of her high pitched scream ringing in his ears.