The sun was low in the sky creating a crisscross of colour that weaved through the clouds and trees. Inviting her onto the motorcycle had been a spur of the moment decision. But it was a good one. The feel of Kate's arms clasped tightly around his waist and her squeals of delight as they sped along the road back to the prison made him want the moment to last forever. The sweet smell of Kate's skin intoxicated him every time he turned his head to breathe her in; she was like vanilla and roses.
Daryl imagined what she would taste like and wondered if he should just keep on going. Create their own little world together then he laughed internally at his plans. She'd only agreed to a motorcycle ride not to running off and making like they were the last man and woman left on the planet. But a man could dream. Recently all he did was fantasise.
The reality was that the group, his friends, family, were probably waiting for their return. He wouldn't make them worry after what had happened at the Big Spot so he reluctantly turned onto the driveway of the prison. The journey was over too soon and when they made it back inside the safety of the fences the council were waiting for him like he had suspected.
Daryl helped Kate off the motorcycle, her hands were so small and delicate. It was difficult to remember that not an hour ago she had been wielding her sword like a warrior. She smiled with her eyes and bit her lip in the sultry way that could kill a man as easy as her blade. The way she looked at him made him feel like something had changed between them on that ride. As much as he wanted to follow the woman to wherever she was going he reluctantly let go of her hand. It was an awkward farewell under the scrutiny of his friends.
When Kate was out of earshot, Tyreese who had stayed to talk with the council thumped Daryl on the back "you sly ol' dog" he hooted. Daryl tried to avoid eye contact with the shrewd looks and winks he was getting from some of the group and he took his seat casually. The redneck wasn't going to give them any more ammunition to torment him with. And he wasn't sure why exactly the idea of him being with a woman was so damn funny. Not to mention he hadn't even done anything, yet.
When the council meeting started properly there was a mixture of relief and disappointment that was felt by all. Everyone had made it back safely but they had barely managed to gather anything. Glenn had called the meeting to discuss their other options. Hitting up the Big Spot was supposed to get them enough supplies to last them for several months and when they had got in there all their presumptions had been correct. Which made losing the place to the dead even more harrowing.
"We need to focus on making ourselves more self-sufficient, find another horse, more livestock, plant more vegetables" Rick's idea of them being able to grow and rear their own food was idealistic. But where were they supposed to find all this livestock? Daryl finding the pig had been a stroke of luck and when it had a litter of piglets it was like hitting the jackpot. Then the idea of him and Kate off in the woods looking for sheep and horses had a certain attraction that made him warm to the idea. They could go tomorrow.
When Daryl made it to Kate's room to make arrangements for the next day the lady in the adjoining cell told him that she'd "popped to the shower". He thought he might as well wait. There wasn't much else for him to do and he wasn't going to go off to bed without even seeing her. Their motorcycle ride was still nice and fresh in his mind, he hoped she had enjoyed it as much as he. Daryl lay on her bed with a devilish smile on his face. He'd make himself nice and comfy to see what she would say about that.
Stretching out on her bed knowing she was in the shower made his mind race and he began to imagine her walking into the room, only a towel wrapped around her perfect curves, beads of water weaving trails down her silky soft skin. In his fantasy she would be pleased to see him on the bed and bite her lip seductively while slowly letting the towel slip further and further down. He cleared his throat and told himself to settle down. He readjusted the pillows so he wasn't lying completely flat and a leather wallet dropped out onto the floor with a soft thud.
Daryl reached down to pick it up. He knew he probably shouldn't look, he had no business going through her belongings but curiosity got the better of him. Inside there were pictures, after a cursory glance at the first couple a realisation dawned on him. Kate had a child. It hit him like a bullet to the chest.
The first picture was a little boy standing on a beach in wellies and a raincoat and he was unmistakably Kate's son, the way his smile lit up his bright round eyes was just like her. Then if he had any doubts the second picture was of Kate holding a tiny naked baby, she had the exhausted, happy look of a woman who'd just given birth. She looked so beautiful and Daryl's heart ached. She'd had another man's baby.
Daryl wanted to put the pictures away before he saw the rest, he felt so devious and guilty at even seeing one of the pictures. But he couldn't stop himself. The third picture showed the same little boy on his 1st birthday. He was standing in a garden wearing little blue dungarees and a party hat. In the background Daryl could see some bunting and balloons amongst the summer flowers. Kate was kneeling on the floor holding a big present out to her son, her face was turned to the person taking the picture and she was laughing.
It was like something from a magazine. Daryl had never had anything even close to what was in this picture. He thought of his own family and shuddered. There were no happy birthday photos of the Dixons, no happy photos. Daryl imagined briefly what it would be like to be the one taking this picture of Kate. Then he shoved the pictures back under the pillow before he saw anymore. He couldn't bare the idea of seeing her with some perfect smiling husband.
When Kate returned he was sitting on the edge of the bed feeling sick. He knew that he barely knew the woman but he had felt a connection with her the moment they had met. Why hadn't she told him any of this? What had happened to her son? He wasn't sure if he should admit that he'd seen the pictures.
"Is everything okay?"
He couldn't look at her, he felt terrible for seeing something that she was obviously trying to keep private. And terrible that he felt jealous, he couldn't help but not like the idea that Kate had been in love with a man and had a child with him.
"Carol had a daughter…"
Kate sat down, "What are you talking about?"
"Her name was Sophia, she was about Carl's age… we were on the road when a huge herd of walkers came..."
"What happened?"
"She ran off… I searched for her for days and days… but It didn't matter, it was already over and I was lookin' for nothin'" the brunette put her hand on his knee and squeezed it supportively then they sat for a long time in silence.
"You've seen my pictures haven't you?" Kate asked calmly.
"Yeah" Daryl replied quietly. She could tell that he was waiting for her to shout and get upset but she felt almost relieved.
"His name was Harry. He died… a long time ago, before the walkers. It was a car accident with my…" she hesitated, talking about Harry was one thing, talking about Ryan was another but she had to tell it all or nothing. "…husband Ryan". Daryl nodded, his expression unreadable.
"I um… Harry was a surprise. I was young and studying for my masters. By the time I realised I was pregnant I was already 18 weeks. I used to think, how can people not know they're pregnant? And then it happened to me," She scoffed and shook her head remembering her doctor saying that her "implant had moved" and "these things happen".
"Ryan proposed, I said yes and that was that…" Kate didn't want to go into too much detail of her marriage which she was backed into at 22 because there was no way she could go home to live with her parents.
"I didn't tell you because… I don't tell anyone… It's why I moved so far away from home. All the looks of pity people would give me…"
Daryl took her hand in his and she knew she didn't have to say anymore "I'm sorry that happened to you … but I'm glad I know". He turned her hand over and kissed her palm, it felt so comforting and Kate wanted so much more. She wrapped her arms around his body and placed her head over his chest so she could hear the steady rhythm of his heart. He pulled her closer and held her tightly and it felt so good, so right. His arms were strong and safe and his smell was Daryl. His own unique scent.
Kate felt so small and delicate in his arms. He buried his face in her glossy hair as she rested her head against him. She was so warm and real and he felt a knot in his stomach. He wanted every part of her to be his. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted a woman before. Then she looked at him with those big doe eyes and their faces were so temptingly close. Daryl resisted every urge in his body that told him to kiss her. He didn't want to take advantage or upset the woman and wondered fleetingly if she might want him to leave.
Then Kate slid her hands up his neck and buried them into his hair as she moved so that their lips were mere centimetres away and as she closed those big brown eyes her mouth found his. Daryl's heart pounded eagerly and he gripped her waist to pull her even closer. Her lips were as soft and perfect as he had imagined and the sensation of her whole body pressed against his made him feel like he would come undone. The kiss which had started so gentle became deep with their uninhibited desires. Eventually Kate pulled away from the kiss breathlessly and her eyes searched for acceptance in his. He caressed her face while savouring the moment; she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever kissed. Then he tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear and pulled her head closer so they could kiss again.
"Has anyone seen Daryl?" The sound of Rick shouting his name was like having a bucket of ice water poured on his head. Goddammit Daryl groaned as he moved away from the brunette. He kissed her hand as he left the bed, she looked so deliciously enticing and he could hardly believe he had just had her mouth on his, her body against his. It was probably for the best that he left the room, the cell was hardly the most private venue for the things he wanted to do.
"Goodnight Miss Uppity" he managed to say even though he was struggling to process anything coherent. His body was worked up to what felt like the point of no return and now he had to walk away. It was like the whole time he'd been starving and now he was only allowed one bite when he wanted the whole damn plate.
"Good night Mr Dixon" she stood up from the bed and Daryl couldn't resist wrapping his arms around her and kissing her one more time before he eventually had to let go "I'll see ya tomorrow bright an early". As he left the room to find Rick he felt like he could walk on air. Now he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her and all he had to do now was not fuck it up.
