Thanks for reading and reviewing. I apologize for not having updates on my other fics, I am writing them but they take longer than these short ones.

I don't own the Walking Dead etc etc. OC and non canon is mine. This chapter contains lyrics from Dorothy, Dark Nights. I don't own it either.

ENJOY!


Lila hadn't meant to invite Shane to see her dance but having had one too many orgasms, the words were out. She wasn't sure what he was looking for but he'd made a few remarks about taking her on a real date. It was highly possible that she was subconsciously sabotaging herself by exposing him to the real her. Lila hadn't been aware of Shane's occupation until he dressed the morning after and she caught sight of his gold police badge. She didn't know a lot of things but Lila was fairly certain police officers didn't like strippers with newly formed coke habits. So the destructive side of her decided to invite him straight into the deep, dark abyss she called life, the Bottoms Up club.

'Fucking genius.' She scoffed inwardly.

Peeking out into the lounge Lila caught sight of him straddling a barstool while one of the other dancers perched herself next to him. Lila frowned at the way she was touching him and the grin he wore in return. Rolling her eyes at the man's predictability, she decided that maybe an extra bump would get her through the night. Sauntering back to the dressing room, Lila found another dancer named Precious lathering herself in glitter lotion. The overpowering smell of cherry blossom had Lila grimacing and quickly grabbing her purse to avoid the scent. Slipping down the long hallway, Lila entered the bathroom customers used and closed a stall door behind her. After using the restroom, she dug out the tiny vial she had, finding it almost empty. She would need to restock if she wanted to keep the habit up. After sniffing up the minuscule dusting of powder left, she leaned against the stall letting the feeling take over. The bathroom door slammed open and a set of stumbling footsteps came inside. Lila cocked her head to the side as she heard muffled whispers.

"I'll get fired if anyone catches me." A female voice whispered, followed by a giggle. "Curtis will be pissed."

"Don't worry about it darlin'. No ones gonna know." A familiar voice rasped back, causing a scowl to form on Lila's painted lips. Shane was apparently not very concerned about fucking another woman while visiting Lila at work. She waited to hear zippers and clothing pulled off before she yanked the stall door open with gusto. A cruel smirk curled her lips at the sight of Jasmine on her knees if front of Shane, the dick Lila rode just days before in the other woman's hands.

"Well. I'm glad you could make it in." Lila deadpanned, her hips swaying as she approached the sink to wash her hands. She was practically shoulder to shoulder with the man, her eyes looking at the back of his head in the mirror and noticing her nail marks on his neck. Shane was frozen, his dick out and Jasmine's hand grasping it.

"Lila." He croaked, moving to tuck himself back in.

"Oh don't let me stop you big guy." She replied dryly, her pinkie wiping the edge of her lipstick before smirking at him. "Keep an eye on your wallet Officer, she's got stickier fingers than a fat kid."

Striding out, Lila ground her teeth and found herself backstage waiting for her name to be called for her last set. She seethed at Shane's actions but didn't really fault him for it, men were all pricks. Just giant dicks walking around trying to find a hole to fuck. Growling, she felt the girl leaving the stage shoulder passed her as the announcer spoke.

"Let's bring our hands together for our newest Bottoms up girl. The ravishing Raven."

Rolling her eyes so dramatically she was dizzy, Lila climbed the steps and glided out onto the stage. She wore a deep crimson bra and panty set covered with a tight, black see through negligee. Her long, silky legs ended in a pair of heels covered in vicious metal studs. The steady thrum of the heavy drums and guitars vibrated against her rib cage as she moved smoothly over the black runway.

Don't send me no angel,

This city's too cold.

'cause I need a man with a black heart of gold

Spinning and swaying her way across the stage she focused hooded eyes on the crowd. She spotted Shane at the bar his hand lazily holding a beer while staring dumbly at her bending form. Smirking, she knew he was regretting his trip to the bathroom, Jasmine was a small town six at best. Lila wasn't the epitome of self confidence but she knew she was sexier than the bottle blonde with lopsided implants.

Don't give me no lover,

If he ain't got the stones.

'cause I need a man, who will fight for his own

Hooking a leg on the pole she spun her body in a graceful move, while arching her back and thrusting her chest out. She twirled slowly to the floor, her legs splayed out as she rolled her hips to the beat of the music. Her eyes connected with a man in the front seat, his gaze sedated as he watched her thighs spread and tits sway.

I've seen dark nights...

But only the darkest light, can deliver my love

Once on her feet she strutted the edge of the stage, her hands removing the tiny dress while swiveling in tight circles. The dancer body she was gifted with kept her poised and steady while twirling along. Her strong legs moved her easily across the stage to the higher platform, further into the center of room. She gripped the brass pole and twisted to the beating drums.

Can't take the fire,

'Til you've fallen from grace.

'cause I need a man,

A man who's got blood on his hands,

and the truth on his face.

Sliding her hands over her body, Lila swayed along catwalk, the deep bass shaking the walls of the club. Raking hands through her hair and arching her chest, the movement was aggressive, her hips snapping to the heavy beat.

I've seen dark nights...

But only the darkest light, can deliver my soul.

Well I've seen dark nights,

dark nights.

Lila ended the song with her back to the pole, gripping it from above. Her chest was thrust out and her head thrown back. With her long legs stretched and toes pointed, Lila showed off the lean lines and curves of her body.

She was panting by the end, her heart thumping loudly in her head. Sauntering off the stage she heard the crowd hollering and whistling but couldn't seem to focus. Lila stumbled backstage and into the dressing room. She felt lightheaded and jittery, more than a normal buzz of uppers. Grabbing a bottle of water, Lila sat down and guzzled the warm liquid. She wiped sweat from her brow and took slow breathes to calm her heart rate. There was a small possibility that she had forgotten to eat that day causing Lila to root around in the tiny staff fridge. Finding a cup of pudding with Stars name written on it, Lila tore it open and ate it hungrily. The druggie was in jail anyways, Lila figured no one would care.

"You a'right?" A rough voice spoke from the door, the sound surprising Lila. Her eyes jumped to the man leaning in the doorway, his broad shoulders stretching the leather vest he wore. Licking her lip of vanilla pudding, she murmured, "what're you doin' here Daryl?"

Chewing his thumb, the redneck rolled his shoulder lazily. "Don' know really."

"I'm beginning to think you like psychotic bitches." She muttered, spooning another heaping of her dinner into her mouth.

"Think I just like you."

Scoffing, Lila gave him a side glance while playing with the spoon and asking, "Anyone ever tell you, you're fuckin' crazy?"

Smirking he looked at the clock, ignoring her question and asked, "ya done for the night?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Wanna get somethin' real to eat. Maybe even a solid?"

Snorting she tossed the plastic cup into the trash and replied, "fuck yes."

Daryl nodded, his lip twitching at her exclamation and drawled, "A'right. Get some damn clothes on woman."


Riding on the back of Daryl's motorcycle was up lifting. Lila hadn't felt that good in a long time without the ingestion of narcotics. She was still buzzing from the white devil she'd been sneaking all day but it was definitely ebbing. Wrapping her arms tightly around his strong stomach, she lay her head against Daryl's shoulder. The man smelled like smoke and leather as well as an under lying scent of sandalwood. She inhaled deeply while pressing her nose into the emblazoned wing. Daryl's warm hand stroked her thigh as they rode along towards the twenty-four hour diner. The sensation was more than a little pleasant and had the woman squeezing her knees against his thighs while sliding a hand along his abs. She felt, rather than heard, the deep growl he emitted, the grip on her leg tightening.

"Stop." He grumbled over the wind but Lila could hear the smile in his tone.

"No." She hollered back with a laugh, her hand curling into his shirt teasingly.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Lila climbed off the back with Daryl's steadying hand. Wearing an old Blondie tshirt, skinny jeans and a pair of chucks, Lila looked like anything but a stripper. She had even removed most of the makeup she could, the red staining her lips and smudgy eye liner almost impossible to remove easily.

The pair sat in a corner booth, Daryl's arms resting across the back as Lila looked at the picture menu.

Humming a little while bouncing her legs, Lila tried to decide between breakfast or burgers. She pursed her lips and cocked her head to the side while flipping the page back and forth between the two. A gruff laugh had her freezing and peeking at the man next to her. "What?"

"Just acting like a kid."

Snorting she shrugged, "who cares."

"Not you."

"Exact-fucking-ly." Lila snarked, her nose wrinkled.

"What can I get for ya'll tonight?" A older waitress interupted, her hand poised over a pad of paper and her eyes dead. She looked as though she'd worked at the same place for fifty years and hated every moment of it.

"Cheeseburger, fries and ice tea."

"I'll have the same."

The waitress walked away without a word, returning with their teas shortly after.

"Did you watch tonight?"

"The last one yeah."

"Did you like it?"

Daryl grumbled a little under his breath which had her elbowing him slightly. "C'mon. Tell the truth. I know, naked for money. Blah. Blah. Blah."

"Liked watchin' you but I don't like watchin' other fuckers watch you."

Lila nodded while fiddling with the salt shaker, her leg bouncing under the table until Daryl's hand lay on her knee.

"You still usin'?"

"A little bit." Lila replied, her mouth scowled at the thought of being out of the drug.

"How much is a little bit?"

"A line or two. I'm out now."

"You gonna restock?"

Shrugging in response she watched the food arrive and dug in to avoid the line of questioning.

"Seen what happens to people Lila. Don't wanna see it again."

"Okay, okay." She huffed, popping a fry in her mouth. "Just makes things... easier."

"Don't need it."

"You don't know what I need." She snapped, her eyes turning angry.

"Neither do you." Daryl retorted, his eyebrow raised, challenging her to argue.

The comment shut her up, her head cocking to the side in thought. Daryl was right, she had no fucking idea what she needed. For as long as she remembered she needed someone to care about her but now that she had someone doing it, she was resisting. She wished she knew why her brain was so ridiculously contradicting.

"You're good at it... the dancin'." His rough drawl tugged her from those thoughts, Lila's hazel eyes rising to the side of his face. Noticing the flush on his neck and his refusal to look at her, she smirked at his embarrassment.

"Thanks." She replied, pushing a fry through ketchup before eating it.

"You take lessons or something?"

"Nope, I just like to dance." Fiddling with her straw, Lila took a big sip of her drink as Daryl watched her. She wasn't sure what he saw when he looked at her, if it was something special that she nor anyone else could see. It felt special.

"Thought you'd be getting naked like the other girls." He rasped, his thumb firmly gnawed between his teeth.

Shrugging she muttered, "I'm supposed to go topless but Curtis thinks there's more draw in me if I don't yet."

Scoffing, Daryl asked, "Yet?"

"Yeah."

"So you're gonna keep doin' it?"

"I made three hundred bucks tonight, Daryl."

The information had him quieting before he rolled his broad shoulders. "Who gives a shit? Money ain't everything. It ain't worth it."

"Says you. On a good night bartending I'd take home maybe a hundred bucks. If I go back to working a waitress job or retail it'll be even less."

The booth was quiet a moment before Lila spoke, "look I'll be better about the drugs if it'll get you off my back because only lord knows why you give a flying fuck but you can't deny the money's good."

"I ain't, I'm just saying it ain't worth it."

Lila didn't respond knowing it would be an endless argument. Daryl paid the bill without Lila even trying to, the woman knowing he would insist anyways. Once on the back of his bike, Daryl took them the long way to her apartment. Lila enjoyed the ride even more when his hand stayed glued to her thigh unless needed to shift. The closeness of curling around him, had her chest decompressing and the weight on her shoulders lessening. Both sensations were foreign but not unpleasant.

Once parked in front of her place, Lila asked, "you wanna come up?"

"Not tonight." He rasped, chewing on his cheek a moment before stating, "Merle's missin' and I gotta check a few places. Make sure he ain't face down in puke somewhere."

"Delightful." She replied sarcastically, leaning forward to kiss him on the scruffy cheek. "Ride safe redneck."

Daryl grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his chest, her palms resting against him. His hand cupped her neck and his thumb pushed her chin up to see her face. Kissing her softly on the lips, Daryl's tongue probed her mouth greedily for a moment before he pulled away. Lila emitted a groan as he sat back down and revved his bike, his teeth flashing as he lifted the kickstand.

"See you later darlin'."

"You too Daryl."


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