Chapter Twelve

Reunion

Part ||


"Daryl?" I asked again, only to be found with a blank look on his face. I reached my hand up, which was covered in walker blood, and placed it on his cheek.

Daryl broke down at my touch, grabbing me and pulling me against him. I muffled a gasp as his lips crashed against mine, his hands caressing every inch of my body. I gave a quiet sob of pain, making Daryl stiffen and pull away enough to look at me.

His blue eyes held such pain... Such sorrow. Yet when he looked into my eyes he seemed happy.

"You injured?" He asked quietly, pulling back to arms length and looking my body over. I realized then my clothes were ripped in many places, blood (my blood and walker blood to be exact) covering most of the fabrics.

I gave Daryl a small nod, looking down at my leg which was now throbbing in pain. I looked behind me slowly, seeing Rick, Shane and T-Dog staring at us in a gawking way. I blushed sort of, turning back to stare at Daryl who already had gripped my waist tight and picked me up into his arms. Daryl carried me towards a house, it was a decent house considering most houses were overrun. Rick ran beside us, his breathing hitched as he saw the blood on my clothes. An elderly man was standing on the porch, with three younger girls who seemed to be his daughters.

"Who's this?" The man asked, searching me over.

"My girlfriend." Daryl hissed before I could respond.

Rick interjected. "She was the other that went missing."

"Bring her on in," The elderly man said as he shuffled inside. In a way I was dumbfounded as to how an older man could have survived such an apocalypse, but then again, I was alive wasn't I?

The man led us to a bedroom- it had doctor equiptment which I only knew from Grey's Anatomy but I knew that this man must have been a doctor of some sort. Daryl set me on the bed gently, pulling up a chair for himself as close to the bed as possible. Rick stood near the doorway, waiting patiently for the man to examine me.

"What happened?" I asked Rick eagerly, wanting to know what happened while I was gone. From the corner of my eye I saw Daryl cringe.

"We'll discuss that later." He replied, nodding towards my leg. "Gotta get you checked on."

I frowned as I watched the man examine my ankle.

"I'm Hershel." The man said, grabbing medical wrap from a drawer and beginning to wrap my ankle.

I nodded slowly, "Tasha."

I groaned in agony as Hershel finished wrapping my ankle in the medical cloth. Daryl shifted his weight unnervingly on the floor, making me cringe. Some part of me remembered such movement in the cabin, making me fearful. I sighed rather contently as Hershel finished his work on my ankle. Hershel wrinkled his nose as his eyes moved upward from my ankle and saw the blood stains on my clothes.

"My daughter, Beth, seems to be about your size." He stood slowly from his chair, stretching slowly. "I'll go see what clothes I can find for you."

I nodded in reply, feeling sweat bead at my forehead. My wrists both stung from the grip I had on the sheets, only now relaxing as Hershel left the room. Daryl and I were alone, yet we had never felt more apart. I could sense Daryl's pain, longing and anger from his stance in his chair and I knew I wasn't getting close to him as easy as before.

"Daryl..." I tried to conjure up words to speak but they all failed. Every phrase in my mind failed to escape my lips. I sighed deeply, leaning my back against the bed post.

Daryl let out a sharp breath, I knew then he was also trying to think of things to say. I leaned forward slightly, reaching up to touch his dirty face.

Daryl cringed at my touch, pulling back only slightly. I frowned and set my hand back onto the bed, staring at the brown haired man sitting infront of me.

"I love you."

Daryl looked up from his lap, his eyes searching mine for a moment before responding. "Yeh, well you shouldn't've left." I looked away, feeling my heart crush from his distance. "But I love you too."

I looked up at Daryl, his blue eyes held a deep intensity neither of us knew could be possible. I leaned forward gently and pressed my lips to his, pulling away as Hershel stepped in with a handful of clothes.

"Now miss, since he is your boyfriend I'm assuming you'd like Daryl to help you change?" His words seemed uncertain at first but slowly they became more gentle. I gave a small nod, leaning forward and brushing my fingers against the clothes as Hershel set them on the bed. The clothes seemed to be small in size, but I was certain I'd make due with what Hershel was kind enough to offer. He gave a stiff nod as he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

I turned my gaze slowly to Daryl who seemed perplexed. He gave a small groan before standing, reaching forward and grabbing my body in his arms and standing me up infront of him. He motioned for me to take off my shirt, I did so slowly, pulling off the damp tshirt and tossing it to the floor. Daryl let out a sharp exhale of breath before turning his back towards me. I stood confused, reaching forward and touching his back.

"You are my boyfriend."

Daryl shrugged, "It's yer body."

I rolled my eyes as I took off my bra, sighing deeply. I could feel Daryl's eyes creep on my from the mirror as I pulled on a white bra which was a bit tight, making my breasts feel tight and huge. Daryl turned back and faced me, pulling a black turtle neck shirt over my head while I pulled down my pants. Daryl didn't turn away this time, he stood infront of me, lifting my legs off the ground and into my new pants. I frowned, feeling immobile. I slowly sat back on the bed, feeling my ankle throb.

I looked at Daryl expectingly, only receiving a glare in response. I looked at my wrists, biting my lip slowly.

"Sophia-"

Daryl growled, "You need to rest!" He grabbed my hand and placed it firmly on his leg. "Yer hurt! You need to fucking rest!"

I was taken aback by his sudden outrage, I sunk down further on the bed, my legs more sore than ever. My hands tensed against the bed, feeling sweat form on my forehead from stress. I wanted to hold him, to tell him I was alright. But was I? I didn't recall what happened...and what's worse was I didn't know how to tell him. Daryl reached forward, placing a cloth against my face and gently smudging at the blood and dirt on my face.

"You don't gotta worry," Daryl seemed unsure, "You're safe now."

I looked at him wearily. Was it safe here? How were we in a house...a god damn FARM HOUSE? How was it any safer than Atlanta was? I had so many questions, yet I knew if asked him, Daryl would get angry and leave. I let my thoughts drown out by leaning my head against the frame of the bed, my breathing slowed. I could hardly keep my eyes open.

"Sleep." Daryl pulled up the blankets over me, his blue eyes staring into mine.

"But Dar-"

He shook his head. "No. You need to rest."

I sighed, admitting defeat. I laid down further and curled up under the warm blankets. I yawned softly, looking up at Daryl.

"Stay with me?" I asked, reaching a hand out from the blankets and tugging at his. Daryl nodded, biting his lip as he watched me.

"Ya think I'd be goin' anywhere else?"

I slowly closed my eyes. Maybe it was safe here, but I highly doubted it. Where was Katelin? Was she OK? I felt guilt sink over me as I tossed and turned in my sleep.


I awoke to the sound of voices outside my room. My eyes opened suddenly and I saw Rick and Shane both standing there. Daryl was gone and I felt exposed. Rick sat on the edge of the bed, staring at me. I sat up slowly, looking from Rick to Shane.

"What? No welcome present?" I joked duly, running my fingers through my hair. Rick and Shane both gave a stressed smile.

"How are you?" Rick asked suddenly, his voice seemed uneasy.

"I'm fine." I lied. I looked around again, somehow hoping Daryl would show up.

"He went to look for-"

"-Sophia." I finished, shrugging painfully from my bed. "I knew it was either that or hunting. The bastard promised he'd stay with me..."

"Carol pestered him to go," Shane said from the door. I looked at him, even though we never saw eye to eye, Shane and I had a sort of friendship.

"Shane." Rick warned. "Tasha, he was going to go anyways."

"I know...but I'm okay, really! Tell me what's going on!"

Shane and Rick seemed bewildered. "We were hoping to ask what happened to YOU." Rick's voice seemed unsure.

"Oh." My head suddenly seemed to hurt, I reached forward and grabbed my crutches, lifting myself to a standing position.

"Well," I paused. "I went hunting. Men surrounded me. Then I blacked out." As simple as it sounded, it was the honest truth. I had tried to remember something, but whenever I came near to figuring out what happened it slipped away. "I woke up on a roof of a cabin, I was all alone so I jumped off the cabin." I explained the rest rather quickly, feeling my stress levels rise.

"And you don't remember...what the men looked like or what they-" a look of pain came across Rick's face, "Or what they did to you?"

I shook my head. "No...but perhaps it's best I don't know."

My lips were pursed as I walked over to the window, holding the crutches lightly in my grip. I sighed, looking at the long grass and talk trees. It reminded me of home, of Canada. Maybe one day I'd go back; though I doubted it. I slouched onto my crutches, taking small steps forward towards the door.

"Well?" I glanced back at Rick and Shane. "Ain't y'all gonna show me around?" A grin escaped my lips as Rick shuffled infront of me, leading me into a hallway.

As we walked along I heard breathing in the other room, and talking. It was a rough sort of breathing, as if someone had been through surgery. Was it Carl? I felt it innapropriate to ask Rick, so I kept walking towards the door, that lead outside. Rick and Shane explained how the seat j for Sophia was still on, even with Shane's small banter on the matter.

"We will find Sophia." My voice was hollow. We would, wouldn't we? We had to... Though the chances of finding her alive were minimal.

As I stepped outside into the sun, I half covered my eyes with my hand. I had been used to the sun for so long that to need reacquainting with it was nice. I slowly walked down the porch, feeling the pain in my ankle strengthen.

"Is this place really safe?"

"Look around, it's as safe as it gets." Rick replied.

I nodded slowly, stumbling along towards the vehicles. Tents were set up and I assumed that was where the group was staying at night. I knew Hershel's hospitality wasn't for everyone.

As I neared the dim fire I was bombarded by Carol and Lori. Lori ran up to me, giving me a tight hug. I pulled away from Lori, smiling at her slightly. I was quickly pulled into another embrace by Carol, who was whispering frantically about God. I looked around, hoping to see Daryl but was only disappointed when the redneck was nowhere to be found.

"He-"

"I know." I spoke before Lori could respond. My voice was cold and blank, my head hurt so I sat on a lawn chair.

"What happened to you?" Carol asked as she continued to do laundry.

I shrugged. "Doesn't really matter now."

Lori frowned at me, "Sit, you must be exhausted."

I shook my head, "No, I'm okay! Really, Lori I'm fine."

Lori and Carol both stole my crutches and made me sit down on a lawn chair. I sighed deeply, just staring at my lap. Carol left to do the laundry while Lori stayed to talk to me.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What? The fact that Daryl's my boyfriend or that I was kidnapped?"

"Both."

"Sort of, the kidnapping part I mean. Daryl and me, well that's just it. It's Daryl and me. Odd couple right?"

Lori shook her head, a smile on her face. "Honestly, no. You seem to balance each other out, honestly he was a wreck without you, he searched for a day straight. But what really happened, Tasha?"

"I wish I knew! Some men came up to me in the forest, and the next thing I knew I was on the roof of a cabin... I ran into a old friend of mine and she saved my life... I don't even know if she's alive or one of them... I don't know what those men did to me... But I'm scared ill start remembering."

Lori bent down and gave me a tight hug. "You'll be okay, we're all here for you."

"Except Daryl, the ONE person I truly needed to wake up to this morning, wasn't there. He never is."

Lori shook her head, "He probably doesn't know how to act around you, Tasha. Give it time, I'm sure he's just worrying about you."

I sighed, "Well tell me what's happened since I've been gone!"

Lori grabbed a stool and sat down in front of me. She went into some long conversation on how Carl had been shot, they still hadn't found Sophia, and that we may not even stay here for long.

"I missed a lot then... Is Carl OK?" I was worried about him, Carl was like a little brother to me. Sure, he was annoying as fuck, but still like a little brother.

"He's stable, but he's been under observation from Hershel for the past day."

I nodded, "Well I'm sure he'll be okay."

I looked over to the bushes, Daryl walked towards me and Lori, his eyes fixed on mine. Lori got up, rubbing my shoulder supportively and walking away as Daryl dropped his crossbow next to me.

"Shouldn't ya be inside?" He asked, his voice rough.

"Shouldn't you have stayed with me?" I replied, grabbing my crutches and standing up.

"Tasha, I had to go looking. Carol was nagging me and-"

"WHY COULDN'T SHE FUCKING GO LOOK FOR HER OWN FUCKING DAUGHTER?! It's not as if she's incapable!"

Daryl was taken aback from my yelling, he picked up his crossbow and followed me as I began to walk away.

"Hey! Ya ain't leaving!" He grabbed my wrist harshly, I pulled away.

"Ya, I fucking am. You were supposed to be there! Fuck, Daryl! I don't even remember what happened to me! For all I know they could have raped me!"

Daryl took a step towards me, the grip on my wrist gentler. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left ya, but I was worried about you. I was afraid of what you might have done if I did stay."

I stared at him, "What was I gonna do, Daryl? Yell at you for holding me all night?"

"I DID hold you all night, and most of the morning too..." Daryl muttered, leaning against a tree after letting his grasp on my wrist go.

"Okay Daryl, well can you show me to our tent at least? Knowing you, you moved furthest away from the others."

Daryl pointed to a tent in the distant.

"I'll take you there tonight. Fer now ya need to go talk to Hershel about yer ankle okay? Ill come with you."

We went to Hershel and I spent about an hour talking to him about what my ankle could take. He said running was a big no, but walking without the crutches would be okay after the current night. After dark, and after some supper, Daryl lead me out to our tent, setting my crutches outside and helping me into the tent.

Immediately Daryl pushed me onto my back, and crawled ontop of me. I stared up at him, my heart beating faster. Daryl leaned down and kissed me, slowly at first but faster. I wound my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

"Daryl," I muttered a few minutes later once we were both laying under a few sheets and one blanket to keep warm. Both naked to keep each others body heat.

"Hmm?" He replied, his grip on me tightening.

"Don't leave me until I at least wake up tomorrow?"

Daryl chuckled, "I won't leave ya, until I at least get to see ya face and kiss ya."

I smiled, closing my eyes and falling into a deep sleep, unaware that my dreams would awaken me quite early.


I woke up with a start, rubbing the sweat off of my forehead. I looked down to see Daryl still sleeping, his face so calm and peaceful, his one arm wrapped around me while the other had grasp of my hand. I laid back slowly, trying to get comfortable again; but I was wide awake. My nightmare... Dream... Whatever the fuck it was, had scared away any ounce of tiredness I had left.


Nightmare

I tried to look around, but I couldn't see a thing. I felt a cloth wrapped around my eyes.

"Lookat that, a nice fine lady there, isn't she?"

"Mmm yea, I say I want her all to mahself." Another man spoke.

I twisted and turned trying to move away from the men but I couldn't. I felt the man's erection against my body, and then-


A few hours later, of listening to the calm sound of Daryl's breath, he finally woke up.

"Tasha?"

"Hmm?"

"You ok?"

I nodded, "Yes... I'm fine."

Was I really fine? That nightmare... Was it real? Had it happened? I wasn't sure.. All I was sure of, was something bad was going to happen.