A/N: Sorry it took a few days to update, but I really wanted to get this chapter right. I must've rewritten this thing three or four times, no joke. But now it's done! Hooray! Read and enjoy, folks. And once again, thanks for all your reviews!
Disclaimer: I sure as hell wish Daryl was mine! Sadly, he's not, and neither is The Walking Dead.
It was the hesitance of his kiss that touched her. How lightly he pressed his lips to hers, how his tongue brushed against her mouth as if asking permission. Then he abruptly ended it, looking away from her as if ashamed.
And he was ashamed. Lia was only trying to be nice to him, and he'd gone and allowed a stupid impulse to mess things up. He kept his eyes down, not wanting to see the anger or disappointment that was sure to be on her face. He was about to mumble a weak apology and beat a hasty retreat when Lia suddenly spoke.
"I'm sorry."
Shocked by what he heard, Daryl's head jerked up. Lia's eyes were closed, her lips compressed, embarrassed and hurt. "I'm sorry," she repeated, "I thought... I thought it didn't matter to you anymore."
"What?" he asked, confused.
She sniffed. "That I'm not white."
Two things occurred to Daryl then. First, that it didn't matter to him, and second, the reason she was so upset was because she wanted him to kiss her. Before any doubts could arise, he quickly took her face in his hands and kissed her again, deeper than the first time. Lia responded instantly, meeting his tongue with hers, clinging to him with desperate hands. They rose to their knees and wrapped their arms tightly around each other. Their kiss didn't end until they both started seeing spots. Panting, they held each other, listening to their labored breaths, feeling each other's living warmth.
"I want you," Lia whispered.
Daryl trembled, shocked by the powerful emotions roiling in him. He felt Lia's mouth planting light kisses along his jaw line and down the side of his neck. When she reached his pulse point Daryl shivered and let out a faint groan.
Lia smiled, "Think I might've found your on switch." Her mouth latched onto that sensitive spot and sucked gently.
Daryl let out another, louder groan in response. His hands slid up the back of her T-shirt and explored the column of her spine. Lia's moan was stifled against his neck. Daryl chuckled, "I jus' found your on switch." He tickled the small of her back and Lia twitched in his arms. Daryl's grin broadened. He suddenly flung her face-down on the mattress and pushed her T-shirt up around her shoulders. He unhooked her bra and pressed his lips to the exposed flesh of her back. His mouth traveled farther down, leaving a trail of wet circles in his wake. Lia's moans grew louder the farther down her spine he went. She buried her face in her pillow and practically squealed when he reached the small of her back. Daryl lingered there, swirling his tongue around that spot where her back met the curve of her ass. Lia squirmed as electric shocks like mini-orgasms jolted through her body, all the way to her fingers and toes. Then she felt her jeans sliding down her legs and self-consciousness suddenly arose.
"I haven't shaved my legs in a while," she mumbled into the pillow, embarrassed. Though the hair on her legs was thin and very fine, it was dark enough to be noticeable.
"Ain't lookin' at yer legs," Daryl said, skimming his hands up the backs of her thighs, "I'm lookin' at this." He squeezed the cheeks of her ass.
Lia laughed. "Never had you pegged for an ass man."
"Yers is fine enough for any man t' appreciate."
"You can thank all those hours tromping through the woods for that." A flutter of excitement grew in her belly as she felt her panties pulled down and cast aside. Daryl planted kisses on both cheeks, making her giggle, then he nipped playfully at the right one, which made her squeak and throw him a look of feigned annoyance over her shoulder. She rolled onto her back and gazed up at him, her long braids fanned out around her. The light from the solar-powered lamp cast a soft glow over her golden skin. Daryl thought she'd never looked more beautiful than she did now.
Lia sat up and tugged at the bottom of Daryl's shirt. He raised his arms, letting her slide it off him, then he removed her T-shirt and bra in turn. Her breasts were round and soft, tipped with chocolate-brown nipples. Daryl kissed his way around each globe before latching onto a nipple. He flicked his tongue against the delicate bud until it was pebble-hard, then gave the same attention to the other nipple. Lia moaned and tangled her fingers in his unkempt hair as he continued to switch back and forth between her breasts. Finally, she pushed him away and fumbled with his pants. Daryl's cock sprang free of its confines, twitching in time to his pulse. He pushed Lia back onto the mattress and positioned himself between her open legs.
"W-wait," she stammered, breathing hard, "We need protection."
"No we don't," Daryl said.
Her brow furrowed in worry. "But..."
"It's okay, trust me," he whispered, "Can y' do that?"
She stared into his earnest eyes and the crease between her eyebrows faded as her body relaxed. She nodded. "I trust you."
Daryl kissed her, his member sliding into her as he did so. Lia whimpered, not from pain, but from the intense feeling of his penetration. Daryl moaned at the feel of her wet heat engulfing him. Finally, he could go no deeper. He was buried to the hilt in her. He wished he could enjoy the sensation of being inside her forever, but his body took control. His hips began to thrust in deep, powerful strokes.
Lia coiled her legs around his waist, locking her ankles at the small of his back. She moved with him, meeting him at each inward stroke. Her arms encircled his neck and she drew him into a deep kiss. "I feel so good," she whispered against his lips. It wasn't just the sex, it was forming a connection with another living being in a world filled with death. She was hyper-aware of the frantic beating of her heart, the taste of Daryl's skin, the musky scent of their mingled sweat. She felt her climax rising deep in her belly. Her body began to shake. "I'm gonna... I-I'm..."
"I'm cummin'," Daryl gasped. He shuddered, eyes wide and staring at Lia as she tensed beneath him. Her back arched and a small cry escaped between her clenched teeth. Then everything relaxed. Her arms and legs slid off him and fell limp on the mattress. She sighed and smiled drowsily up at him. Daryl withdrew his softened member and rolled off her. They lay on their sides on the narrow mattress, facing each other, hands gently tracing the contours of one another's face.
Lia smiled as his thumb grazed the cut on her lip. "I think you've more than made up for that."
Daryl snorted in amusement. He leaned in and kissed the tiny wound.
Lia bit her lip. "Why didn't we need protection?"
Daryl's shoulder moved in a half-shrug. "You ain't th' only one who didn't plan on havin' kids."
Lia considered this. "You had a vasectomy?"
He nodded. "When I was eighteen."
"Eighteen?" Lia gaped, "You weren't more than a kid yourself! Why'd you have it done so young?"
Daryl's eyes turned away from hers, clearly uncomfortable with the subject.
"Never mind," she said gently, "It's none of my business."
"No, 's okay," he said, meeting her gaze once again, "It's 'cuz of my old man. He was one mean fucker, drunk or sober. Always beatin' on Mama or us kids. And, y'know, y' hear 'bout that kinda thing runnin' in families." He shrugged. "Didn't wanna put my kids through th' same shit I went through."
Saddened by this confession, Lia kissed his forehead. "You're not like him."
"Sure," he muttered, "That's why folks just love havin' me around."
"I love having you around," she said this so quietly he almost missed it. Her face became somber. Daryl stroked her cheek.
"Shouldn't 've told ya," he murmured regretfully, "Made y' all sad."
"I'm not said 'cause of that."
"How come, then?"
Lia closed her eyes, fighting tears. "Because you're gonna leave tomorrow."
Daryl stared at her, then leaned in and kissed her deeply. They ended it with a sigh, foreheads touching.
"I was only goin' 'cuz I didn't think you'd want me t' stay," he told her.
Lia's fingertips brushed against his thin beard. "I want you to stay with me. But that'd also mean helping me raise all these kids. You said you didn't want a family."
"I said I didn't wanna end up bein' like my old man," Daryl retorted, "Never said I didn't wanna family. I just dunno if I have it in me t' be a good pa t' these kids."
"Maybe," Lia thought aloud, "you can be more like the cool uncle. Y'know, the irresponsible, reckless black sheep of the family that all the kids idolize and the grownups pull their hair out in exasperation."
Daryl laughed. "I dunno," he drawled, "Might be a stretch for me."
Lia smiled, hopeful. "But you'll try? You'll stay here?"
Daryl pushed her flat on her back and rolled on top of her. He grinned. "Just try gettin' rid o' me."
Morning sunlight crept into the room. Daryl roused slowly and smiled at the memory of the previous night. He and Lia had spent hours making love, resting, talking, and repeating the cycle until they were too exhausted to do more than pull up the covers and pass out. Now, spooned against her, he felt a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced before, not even with Merle and Mama. His only fear was that this feeling would pass and he would once again be alone in the midst of a crowd. But for now things were good, so he chose to focus on the present.
He buried his nose in Lia's hair. She smelled of sweat and sex, and he wondered if he shouldn't wake her for a little morning pick-me-up. But when he shifted his arm the back of his hand brushed against something that made him frown in puzzlement. He raised his head to peer over Lia's shoulder and saw the tiny form of Sally curled up against the woman's stomach.
Lia, awake, turned her head to look at Daryl. She brought her finger to her lips. "Shh."
"What's she doin' here?" he asked, more curious than annoyed. He was suddenly grateful for the light blanket concealing his and Lia's nakedness.
Lia stroked the toddler's hair. "She does this a lot. I've lost track of the mornings I woke up to find her like this."
"She have nightmares?"
"Not so much. I think she just misses the days when I could spend more time with her." Lia smiled fondly at the child. "She saved my life, y'know."
Daryl rested his chin against her shoulder. "How?"
It was a few seconds before she answered. When she did, her voice was low, hardly above a whisper. "When things started getting bad, I went to stay with my dad and stepmom. Rosa, my stepmother, had been attacked earlier that morning while getting the mail. Bitten. This was before everybody figured out the bites spread the disease. Dad wouldn't leave her side. He couldn't deal with the idea of losing another wife. He stayed right by her, and when night came he slept beside her."
A chill ran through Daryl. He could guess what happened next.
"The next morning I heard a...sound coming from their room. And when I opened the door I saw Rosa...she'd..." Lia fell silent for a moment. Daryl stroked her arm in a comforting gesture.
"I killed her," Lia continued, somewhat calmer, "She was the first walker I ever killed. My stepmom and I weren't that close - she met my dad after I moved out - but I still thought of her as a friend. After I killed her I buried her and Dad out in the backyard. I was numb after that. Took a lotta stupid risks that could've gotten me killed a dozen times. I didn't care. Then one day I looked outside the window and saw this tiny girl wandering down the street. I thought she was a walker at first. I mean, a girl this young on her own couldn't possibly still be alive, right? I went outside to finish her and she just stood there and lookedat me. She didn't make a sound, didn't try to run or attack. She just looked up at me and then she held her arms out like she'd been waiting for me all along."
Lia tenderly rested a hand on the girl's shoulder. "She's the reason I decided to keep going. She needed me, and I needed her."
Daryl reached down and lightly touched Sally's hair. "Me 'n' Merle didn't look for no reason t' keep goin'. All we ever cared about was survivin'."
"That's not enough for me," Lia said.
"I know," he kissed her shoulder, "It ain't enough for me, neither. Not anymore."
Sally stirred. Her dark eyes opened and blinked up at the smiling woman.
"Morning, sweetheart," Lia cooed. She felt Daryl shifting around behind her and when she turned she saw he'd pulled on his pants. He tossed Lia her discarded clothes and she dressed quickly, hardly letting Sally catch more than a glimpse of skin. The toddler waited patiently for the adults to get dressed. Lia then picked her up and rested the girl against her hip. "I'm gonna go wash up and change her. Meet you downstairs?"
"'Kay. Uh," Daryl ran a hand through his mussed hair, "Y' think th' others might know I was here all night?"
Lia smirked. "Well, if they don't, they'll figure it out soon enough." She tapped the side of her neck. "Looks like I might've gotten a little carried away. You've got a hickey."
Daryl's hand flew to his neck, his dismay so comical Lia couldn't help but laugh. Then she opened the door and what she saw taped to the outside made her double over. Daryl went to see what had set her off and gaped at the piece of paper with the words Beware! Do Not Disturb on Pain of Death by order of Nana Shino! written in permanent marker.
"Aw, God!" Daryl laughed. He ripped the paper from the door and wadded it into a tight ball.
"I think," Lia gasped, wiping tears from her eyes, "this proves beyond any doubt that everybody knows."
That being the case, they decided they might as well go downstairs together. They both went to the bathrooms to clean up, then Lia changed and dressed Sally and then led the girl by the hand to the stairs where Daryl waited. Sally suddenly reached up with her free hand and gripped Daryl's finger. Startled, Daryl looked down into the little girl's trusting eyes and felt a tug deep inside him. Sally smiled up at him. After a moment's hesitation, Daryl stuck out his tongue and the toddler's smile broadened into a toothy grin.
Lia smiled at the wordless exchange between them. She and Daryl made their way down the stairs, each holding one of Sally's hands. When they reached the bottom, she and Daryl glanced at each other, then swung the toddler up and over the last couple of steps. Sally looked elated by this. As soon as her feet touched he floor she released the adults' hands and ran ahead, a bundle of silent energy.
The lobby was full as everyone gathered to have breakfast. There was a noticeable lull in conversation upon Lia's and Daryl's arrival. Numerous preteen girls clustered together to whisper and giggle in that conspiratorial way that guaranteed paranoia, while the boys smirked and nudged each other meaningfully. The adults tried to be more subtle, but failed. The couple's discomfort was just too entertaining.
Daryl and Lia looked at each other in shared embarrassment at finding themselves the center of attention. Daryl hesitated, then held out his hand. What the hell, might as well show some solidarity. Lia smiled and took his hand. Some of the kids oooohed before the adults shushed them, though their chastisement wasn't all that convincing. Hand in hand, the couple headed for what they hoped was the relative safety of the kitchen.
Nana Shino arched a thin eyebrow on seeing them. "I suspect you two have worked up quite an appetite."
Lia groaned, "Nana!"
"Oh, lighten up, dear. It's not every day we have something pleasant to focus on." She squinted at Daryl. "You've got something on your neck, young man."
The poor guy actually blushed. Lia covered her mouth with her hand.
Nana filled two bowls with oatmeal and handed them over. "I take it you two would rather eat in here."
Nodding, the two of them headed for the dinette table.
Meanwhile, out in the lobby, Glenn turned to T-Dog and raised his eyebrows significantly. T-Dog sighed, "Fine. You were right, man. I owe you a Coke."
"A case of Coke," Glenn clarified.
"Okay! Next time we raid a store, you get first dibs on any soda pop we find, alright?"
"You two actually bet on whether those two would hook up?" Andrea asked from her seat a short distance away.
Glenn snorted. "Wasn't much of a bet. Anybody with eyes coulda seen it coming." He smirked at his irritated companion.
T-Dog rolled his eyes. "C'mon, man. How was I to know she'd hook up with that cracker? She seemed smarter 'n that!"
"Well, I think it's sweet," Carol spoke up, smiling wistfully, "It's like a fairy tale."
"Yeah," T-Dog muttered, "Beauty 'n' the Beast."
Elsewhere, Rick and Shane discussed the subject of Lia and Daryl with more seriousness.
"Think he's gonna stay here?" Shane asked.
Rick shrugged. "Looks like it."
Shane shook his head. "I don't like it."
"Few days ago you said he was a liability. Now you want him to come along?"
"He's one of our best shots," Shane argued, "There ain't enough of us as it is. We need every able-bodied man to protect the group."
"I'm aware of that," Rick answered calmly, "But it's his choice. If Daryl feels he has a place here, then good luck to him."
His friend scoffed. "A place full of kids is the last place Daryl Dixon belongs. God knows what he'll get up to once we ain't around to keep an eye on him."
"I think you're bein' unfair," Lori spoke up, startling the two men. She'd approached, unnoticed, and caught the tail end of their conversation. Now she stood over them with a stern look on her face. "Daryl ain't like his brother, you know that. Only time he ever got in real trouble was when Merle was around. Daryl can be reasoned with, and I've never seen him mistreat any kids. Not here, and not at the quarry."
Shane looked away, his jaw tense. He wondered if Lori would've jumped to Daryl's defense if it were her husband who'd voiced those doubts instead. Except where life and death matters were concerned, these days Lori always took the opposite stance from Shane, whatever the issue.
"Doesn't matter what any of us might think about this," Rick said, "If Daryl wants to stay and Lia agrees, that's all there is to it. It'll be tough, but we can get by with one less man."
Shane didn't bother arguing further, though he still thought Daryl staying behind was a mistake. Sadly, the ones who would pay for it the most were the children who lived here.
