(Hey guys,
Sorry I've been slacking on my chapters, and also for the slow start of the good stuff. Shot kinda hit the fan in my life so I was a bit messed up for a tad while.. but here we are and here it is! So hopefully after ya read, this can be deemed well worth waiting for.
Please, let me know whatcha think!
Review's do help with the motivation, so an extra big thanks to the extremely few that do. its basically you few that's helping to keep this going.
Enjoy, this ones for you!)
Athena POV
Mmm ... that smell ... please, more.. don't go... I want you
"..Ow my face.. what the fuck.." Athena awoke with a pain filled throb deep in her head. She sat up slowly, vision blurred, rubbing her eyes to rid them of the 'sleep' that had collected at the corners. Sleeping bag mesh swished about as she stretched her legs and toes. As the disorientation began to fade, confusion and anxiety set in fast. Where am I!? Her thoughts full of panic and fear. Scrambling to break free of the warm confines of the unrecognized sleeping bag and blankets.
Looking around frantically for an answer to calm herself, her eyes were wide as she discovered that she was in the what appeared to be a dimly lit tent. All was still dark, yet just light enough outside that she could confidently declare herself alone. Placing a hand on her aching head, she discovered the goose egg of a lump that had formed on her forehead.
"Uuugh.." She groaned aloud feeling the fresh scrape down her right cheek, also finding her hands were scuffed up something fierce as she felt the rest of her face and neck. Everything else seemed to be intact. Her eyes wondered as she sat up looking around curiously, beginning to recall her last memories at last. Visions of tripping and falling face first toward the Jeep in the darkness of night while she was trying to set up her tent after her and Daryl arrived on site.
Breathing in deeply and closing her eyes, it smelt of the evergreen trees and something else.. Deeply inhaling the unidentified scent, it made the corners of her lips pull up into a small smile. Something about the scent made her feel at home, and brought on the feeling of warmth and protection. Her fear and anxiety melted, and then it clicked finally that it was Daryl's tent that she was in, his scent flooding her senses pleasantly... this is his sleeping bag? He must have found me after.. Again. Good grief how embarrassing. I need to prove this isn't the real me..
As she groggily shuffled out of the sleeping bag, Athena took notice that Daryl's crossbow was missing. Assuming he wasn't there because he may have gone hunting, and finding herself rather thankful that she didn't have to face him first thing as she was feeling a little awkward about her accident.. and how much she loved the scent he left behind with her. It felt strange to be in his dwelling, but not wanting to be a bad tent guest? Athena took a couple minutes to shake out the sleeping bag and lay it back in place. With care she smoothed out the wrinkles and folded back the of the cover and placed the pillow neatly at the top. Letting herself linger for an extra moment to catch a deeper breath. This man smells amazing.. She admitted to herself with a soft chuckle, and rolling her eyes at herself.
She cautiously crouched her way toward the zipper that could free her, and slowly unzipped the tent door before stepping out quietly into the cold morning dew. It was now dawn and a light purple tint played keep away with the baby blue colour of the morning and day to come. Looking around for signs of danger, she found only stillness, and heard only the distant running waters of creeks and small streams. However the sound of a snapping twig and what sounded like a low groan caught her attention.
She instantly reached for her baretta at the back of her jeans but came up empty handed. Fuck. Alarmed, she tip toed to the Jeep's drivers side door, pulled out her keys and opened the door. Slipping into the drivers seat, quickly closing the door after her and sighing. Into the glove box, her hand roamed hastily, and then she finally found the small silver six shooter that had been kept there on the stash since the beginning of the outbreak.
Looking through each tinted window proved to be useless, and so she got out of the vehicle as quietly as possible. Not gonna catch me off guard this time ya fucker.. was the most frequent thought through her head at this point. Breaking away from the Jeep's protection as a barrier and creeping passed the front line of trees toward the noise, she felt the adrenaline surge but kept as calm as she could possibly be.
click'tk She pulled back the hammer of the pistol and cautiously peered through the woods. Back pressed firmly against a wide tree trunk.
Finally catching sight of movement farther into the trees, just beyond a patch of forest brush and bushes. It was a male looking walker, staggering slowly toward a clearing to the right of her line of sight. She raised her gun and held the dead in her sights. Slowly inching closer to find herself the best shot possible. As she then pressed her index finger against the cold trigger with one eye running along the barrel, her steps were suddenly halted.
Keeping silent, she began throwing a mini fit over the mouth and faceful of spiderweb that caught her in her tracks and throwing her off completely. Rubbing her face 10 times over with her hand and spitting onto the ground, she was momentarily vulnerable once again.
Just then as if it was some cosmic clockwork, an arrow whizzed over her shoulder, passed her ear, and flew straight into the back of the stumbling walkers head. Sending it to the ground with a soft thud against the moist forest floor. Athena's eyes narrowed and her look of disbelief turned into a soft scowl as she turned to look at none other than Daryl, in all his glory.
He stood up from a crouching position and lowered his crossbow. As he then walked by her, she caught that scent of his again, this time stronger, and more alluring. Having a rather magnetic effect all on its own, causing her emotions to battle over the moment at hand. As he walked by, she tried ignoring how attractive he was. His confident stride, messy hair, bare muscular arms, advanced hunting skills and those piercing blue eyes brought her inner fighter to her knees.
Daryl POV
"best off not firing that thing... wanna attract 'em all in one go?" Daryl muttered to her as he walked passed, and over to the dead to collect his arrow. Pulling it out with a gooey shhllunk sound, before wiping the remnants off on his jeans.
"No.. But, I had it under control... I can take care of stuff too yano ..sheesh." She shot back with a dark look, clearly aggravated by the stolen kill. He said nothing as he looked her over, taking note of her mussed up hair and that I-just-woke-up face crossed with a feisty glare. As he would normally brush off any girl with ease and disregard, to go his own way without a hitch. Instead he found himself slightly captivated by his own curiosity and attraction. Daryl was beginning to understand that he was developing a keen interest in her. He could be described in a nutshell easily as smitten. Looking away after a good 10 seconds of silence, he couldn't find any words to say.
The sky was loosing the purple hue of dawn and the light blue began to prevail. Finally looking back at her, he saw that she was now with her back to him as she started walking back toward their tents. His intentions were innocent, but his male instinct held him still for an extra moment as he watched her walk. Of only. He thought to himself as he cleared his throat awkwardly. She stopped and turned to him with a look of question on her face. Panicking for a second, he stumbled over his own words.
"Um - T-Took down a deer not far o-off.. wanna come... get it with me?" He asked her on the fly. Very unlike himself to ask a thing like that of another. He knew he didn't need any ones help.
Her cold expression shattered instantly and she broke out a smile, and began walking back toward him. He tried to look away from her figure and the smooth way she moved, but he couldn't deny his interest. Daryl's bold blue eyes meeting her vibrant green and blue's, in a glaze that could ignite a stick of dynamite. He shifted slightly in a awkward fashion once she was a mere foot away from him, and still holding the fiery gaze they had started. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
"What's the matter?" She asked him tilting her head, with a half grin. "I asked you which way?..." She continued as she finally looked away to survey the woods around the two of them. He snapped out of his trance, shook his head, closed his eyes and let out a small throaty chuckle.
"Uh, nothin'. Just.. I think I actually li- nothin'.. Not important" He finished turning on his heel to walk in the direction of the deer he'd taken down in the clearing.
Athena POV
The desire filled gaze broke when she questioned him, and she wanted to scream at herself instantly. There was a moment she felt as if she was on cloud nine, caught in the eye of the storm, the stillness making everything slow down three times. His intense blue eyes connected with hers and made her want to reach out, and be closer to that amazing smell again. His scent drove her physically wild and made her feel hot to the core. It was incredibly hard to ignore how she was drawn to him like a magnet to steel.
"wait!" She finally gained the courage to spit out, catching his hand softy with hers to stop him from walking away. Aaahhh now what. what do I say?! She thought to herself, butterflies taking over her stomach as he stopped in his tracks. She expected him to pull away, but instead he turned back slowly and was now facing her with about half a foot between them. She looked up to him and half smiled.
"I have s-something to tell you." She stammered. His expression went from confused to suspicious.
"For everything you've done for me.. The least I owe you is my honesty. My real name isn't Jane. It's Athena.. Im sorry for lying to you, I was just ..I panicked and decided to not trust you at first. Now I can see that was a big mistake..." She said to him, never letting go of his hand, she didn't know why, but maybe it was because now he was the only one on earth that mattered to her. His actions spoke louder than any words, he cared enough to keep her safe and never ask for anything in return. Even before the outbreak, men like him were hard to find.
Daryl POV
Daryl's features expressed his uncertainty as she took his hand. Once he turned around and they were face to face, he could see her troubled expression. His own took on that of concern. The most unpractised emotion by any of the Dixon's, caring and concern for other people. Even family most often went the route of survival of the fittest, toughen up or suffer your own demise.
"Athena" He said after she threw her big confession his way. He liked the ring to it, it was better and more fitting for her than Jane, that was for sure. Thinking deeply for a few seconds before he finally replied. She was about half a foot or so shorter than him and he looked down at her with his live wire blue eyes, finally gaining eye contact again when she looked back up at him for a true response.
"It wasn't a mistake not to trust a stranger. But ya best know ya don' need ta be lyin' ta me. I aint looking for nothin' from ya." He said with a nod of sincerity. His open hearted expression leaving his eyes soon after. Before he could pull away, she squeezed his hand causing him to stay in place longer.
"Daryl ...I.." She trailed off as if unsure of what to say. He wasn't used to hearing his name used like this. Usually the only time people addressed him, he was nameless or being called out with profanity and harsh slurs. It was pleasant to hear, he wanted to hear her say it again, and so much more. The thoughts making him feel anxious, lustful and awkward all at once. His imagination and desire bringing on a hot rush that took over his face.
Before he could comprehend his own actions, his deepened gaze with her was ended when he closed his eyes. Perhaps out of fear for what came next. Leaning himself closer to her, his lips meet her's gently in a unintended kiss. He tensed, and his body temperature was sent through the roof. Every instinct telling him to pull away and run off. But just as he started to pull away, her hand let go of his and grabbed a small handful of his shirt to pull them closer. He couldn't fight it anymore, the kiss went from soft feathered contact to close and more intimate. Her other hand found its way around his mid-torso and rested on his back between him and the crossbow. Feeling the cold metal from the six shooter press into his back aswell as her clinched fist attached to it.
Athena POV
Hardly able to believe what was happening, she remained stunned in her tracks for a full two seconds before letting go of his hand, and grabbing a small handful of his shirt, pulling him closer and pressing into the kiss. His lips were surprisingly soft despite a sight chapped feel that first greeted her when they met just a moment ago. Letting go of his shirt, her hand ran along his chest, over his collar bone and around the back of his neck. She parted her lips just barely and paid an extra moment of attention to his bottom lip, inviting him to deepen the kiss.
His mannerisms were shy and the way he responded spoke to his inexperience with this type of event. She too had very little experience in this arena, but her emotional freedom drove her actions to do what felt right.
Daryl's lips parted just a bit and he responded to her invitation. Running the tip of his tongue along her bottom lip and letting out a soft Mmm at the taste and feel. His respectful gentle touch set her senses over the edge, and she let her tongue meet his and stroke it back lightly, a hint of playfulness and passion. The kiss was like none other that either of them had ever had.
Athena finally pulled her head back and opened her eyes to look up at him. Her lips were still parted, and slightly swollen from the intense rush of blood through her body. Breathing deeply, unable to deny her own arousal and desire. His eyes opened a moment after hers and he was breathing deeply too. His lust filled eyes looked over her face and fell to her lips, looking a little taken back by what had just happened. She was speechless aswell, but stayed close, her chest and body pressed gently against his.
"..wow..." He finally spoke, his tone of voice was low and quiet. His lips finally came together again in a half smile that she found to be dreamy and charming. Their eyes looking into eachothers as if seeing for the first time, something brilliant and beautiful. Athena smiled warmly up at him and nodded in agreement. Wow is right She thought to herself as she slowly pulled back her arms, letting him be free once again, not sure what to even make of this.
They now stood but a foot apart, looking at eachother like they had both been clubbed over the head, dumbfounded and shy. Athena looked down at her six shooter, her grip on it had never loosened and the hammer was still pulled back and ready to slam down onto the next bullet.
"AAWAAHHHH" .."DAD!" "MOMMA!" "Mommy!" "MOMMY!"
The two of them instantly looked towards the sound, it came from the clearing Daryl was walking towards just moments prior. Athena looked to Daryl and nodded before they both set off towards the direction the childrens cries had come from. Daryl took the lead, and just before they reached the clearing he motioned for her to stop and wait as he proceeded. She stopped and pressed tight against a giant boulder, listening for a que to move on aswell. Instead of the dead, she heard people beating something.
"Son'ovabitch! That's my deer!... look at it all gnawed on by this.. FILTHY.. disease barin' .. motherless, poxy bastard!" She heard Daryl lash out.
"Calm down son that's not helping" a older man commented.
"What do you know about it old man!? You take that stupid hat and go back to 'On Golden Pond'" He sighed in exasperation. "Been trackin' this deer for miles.. drag it back to camp.. cook us up some Venison... whaddaya think, think we can cut around this chewed up part right here?" Daryl continued.
"Cannot risk that." Another more stern male voice added.
Athena then took it all as a sign that she could come out now. Disarming the hammer on her pistol, she walked out into the clearing where Daryl had emerged. Tucking the pistol into the back of her jeans. Seeing a whole group of at least 8 or so people looking on at Daryl and a bloody gnawed up deer. Decapitated walker on the ground next to it.
"Well I got us some squirrel, 'bout a dozen or so. That'll havta do." Daryl told the group.
"Oh god" A girl said before dodging away from the scene with another at her side.
"Com'on people what the hell.." Daryl shot a bolt through the snapping head of the walker. "'ts gotta be the brain.. don' yall know nothin'" He said as he walked passed the group. Athena slowly followed his lead, the others now noticing her and looking on with curiosity and perplexed expressions.
Daryl seemed to forget about her as he called out a name loudly, looking through the site of the groups set up tents and scattered vehicles. "Merle...MERLE...getcha ass out here.. got us some squirrel.. stew'em up!"
"Daryl?.. slow up a bit I need to talk to ya." The stern voice came again from the broad military looking member of the group. His persona carried authority and seemed to demand respect.
"'bout what?" Daryl shot back.
"About Merle.. theres a, uh, problem in atlanta." He replied.
Athena watched as the members of the group all looked on at the unfolding situation and there was a thick tension that hung in the air. She stopped beside a dark blue jeep and waited anxiously. Something wasn't right.
"..he dead?" Daryl finally asked.
"Not sure." The dark haired man revealed.
"He either is or he aint!" Daryl threw back, anger beginning to show in his tone.
"No easy way to say this so I'll just say it." Another man stepped up towards him, this one was more calm and less forceful in his manner.
"Who're you?" Daryl's eyed narrowed.
"Rick Grimes." The calm man said.
"Rick Grimes. you got somethin you wanna tell me!" He spat, more aggravated with every word.
"Your brother was a danger to us all. So I handcuffed him on a roof n' hooked him up to a piece of metal. He's still there" Rick confessed with pure honesty.
"hol'on.. let me process this.. sayin' you handcuffed my brother to roof! And you left him there!?" He concluded. As Rick said yes, Daryl's face filled with hatred and he lunged towards Rick, ready to attack. The other man side checked him to the ground, where Daryl pulled out his knife. He swung once before the two men swarmed him and one took him down with a chokehold.
Once the details of the matter were spoken aloud, Daryl finally seemed to go from angry, to full of rageful sorrow. Then Rick and another told him about how the door to the roof was chained shut. Merle was believed to still be alive.
"Hell with all yall!.. jus tell me where he is, sos I can go get him." Daryl demanded.
Athena was looking on still, with a expression that told of saddness and anxiety. Having learnt a lot in the span of ten minutes left her confused and full of wonder as to what she would do next. I'd go in a second if it were my brother.. I should go.. I owe him that for saving my own life. She thought deeply to herself with a nod, having decided that going with them would be the right thing to do.
