Chapter 14

Amelia rubbed her forehead wearily. She could feel the beginnings of a dull headache behind her eyes and while the cabin was well-stocked, she hadn't run across any Tylenol.

"Amelia?" Ellie's soft voice broke the silence.

"Sorry baby." She continued to read from the picture book Ellie held in her lap. It was their third go around of the only children's book she could find on the bookshelf. Whoever had previously lived here had obviously not had any children and she wondered why this book was even there, stuffed into the back of the bookshelf like an afterthought.

It was just after dinner and the day had dragged by. There was only so much to look at and do in the cabin and Daryl's restless energy was apparent and frankly, stressful on her. It didn't help that every time they were close to each other, there was that weird mixture of desire and tension between them. She found herself trying to avoid him without being obvious, a difficult thing to do in the small cabin. He had spent a few hours in the afternoon teaching Ellie how to play checkers using the board she had found in the bottom drawer of the dresser, and it had gone a long way towards fixing the gulf he had created between him and the girl.

She sighed and rubbed her forehead again as Ellie turned to the last page of the book. "And they all lived happily ever after." She smiled at the girl. "Wasn't that a nice story Ellie?"

The girl nodded. "Where's Michael?" she asked suddenly.

Shocked by her question, Amelia floundered for an answer, "I, I don't know Ellie." It was the truth; she hadn't seen Michael specifically attacked by a Walker although the odds that he escaped the farmhouse were slim.

"Maria's dead." Ellie said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, she is." Amelia nodded, the back of her throat burning. She could feel Daryl gazing at her from the armchair.

"Do you think she's in heaven with mommy and daddy now?" Ellie looked at her earnestly and Amelia couldn't stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks.

"I know she is Ellie."

Ellie seemed satisfied with her answer. "Is Michael dead?"

"I really don't know honey. I hope not."

"Me too. I like Michael." Ellie stared into the distance as Amelia wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"I miss Maria." Ellie sighed and leaned against Amelia. "She gave good hugs."

Amelia sniffed loudly and Ellie glanced up at her. "Don't cry Amelia." She reached up and patted her wet cheek with one small hand. "You give good hugs too."

Amelia laughed through her tears, "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me Ellie."

Ellie snuck a glance at Daryl before whispering loudly, "I don't think he gives nice hugs."

Amelia suppressed a grin. "His name is Daryl and he gives nice hugs."

"How do you know?" Ellie stared curiously at her.

"Um, when we were in the truck, I was cold and he gave me a hug to warm me up." Amelia tried vainly to keep from blushing. She looked at Daryl. Shockingly enough it looked like he was trying to keep from blushing himself.

"Oh." Clearly bored with the subject now, Ellie looked around the cabin. "It's nice here. Are we going to stay here?"

"We'll stay until the rain stops and then we'll keep looking for Daryl's friends."

Ellie frowned, "I don't want to leave."

"I know but we need to get Daryl back to his friends. I bet they're nice people. Don't you want to meet them?" Amelia spoke gently.

Ellie looked at her and for a moment she was back to the blank stare of a shock victim. Amelia frowned at Daryl and he stood up and crouched in front of Ellie. Suddenly, Ellie shook herself and sighing softly, said in a toneless voice completely unlike her normal speaking voice, "They'll die. They always die."

A shiver went down Amelia's back. She stared helplessly at Daryl who patted Ellie's knee awkwardly and a bit timidly. "Ain't no one dyin' in this room Ellie."

She stared at Daryl for a moment, nodded solemnly, then turned to Amelia. "I'm tired Amelia."

"Well, let's get you to bed then honey."

After a quick trip to the bathroom, Amelia tucked Ellie into the bed and kissed her forehead. "Sleep now baby girl. I'll see you in the morning."

She moved silently back to the living room, sitting on the love seat and tucking her feet under her. Daryl was back in the armchair. He had grabbed a book from the bookshelf and appeared to be deeply invested in it.

Amelia closed her eyes and rubbed at her forehead. After about half an hour, unable to stand the tension any longer she stood abruptly and without looking at Daryl said, "I think I'll go to bed myself."

He grunted softly in reply and grabbing a candle, she escaped to the bathroom to take her bra off and change from her pants into the boxer shorts. When she came back out, Daryl had blown out all of the candles except for two. He was back in the armchair, book in hand, squinting in the soft light of the candles.

She moved Ellie from her side of the bed to the middle, blew out her candle and slipped into the bed beside her. She turned on her side and Ellie immediately cuddled up to her back. She said a silent prayer that the child stayed in the middle of the bed and closed her eyes.

Daryl woke with a start. In the darkness he could see Ellie sleeping in the middle of the bed but Amelia's side was empty. With a growing tightness in his chest he sat up and peered around the cabin. He breathed a harsh sigh of relief when he spotted Amelia sitting on the couch. Quietly he left the bed and walked to the loveseat. He eased down beside her, keeping a safe distance between them.

She started, her hand rising to her chest. "You scared me." She breathed.

"Sorry."

She nodded and he pretended not to notice when she wiped her cheeks dry.

"Why ain't you in bed?"

She shrugged, "Bad dreams again."

Bad dreams were right. Amelia shuddered a little. She had been dreaming of Michael again; of the night he had kissed her. Only this time he had been a Walker. He had leaned in to kiss her, skin hanging from his face, his mouth opening to reveal black teeth and maggots squirming on the grey slab of flesh that was his tongue, and she had shrieked and shrieked, terrified to her core. She had jerked herself awake, trembling and sweating in the dark, afraid that she had screamed in her sleep but both Ellie and Daryl continued to sleep peacefully beside her. She couldn't shake the dream though and after 10 minutes she had crept through the darkness to sit on the loveseat. Thinking about Michael and the others made her chest ache dully and in the darkness she allowed her tears to fall freely.

He didn't ask her about her dream and she was glad for that. She had no desire to share it.

She shifted on the couch, tucking her feet under and shivered lightly. The fire was low in the cook stove and it was chilly in the cabin.

"Ya should go back to bed." Daryl spoke gruffly in the darkness.

"Probably." She murmured. She had never felt less like sleeping in her life. The remnants of her dream still clung to her like an old overcoat and she couldn't shake the feeling of trepidation that had come over her ever since Ellie had whispered that they always died.

They sat in silence, listening to the gentle sound of the rain on the rooftop. "Do you think it'll stop raining by morning?" she asked

He shook his head. "I dunno. I hope so."

She glanced at him and was surprised to see him looking tired and vulnerable.

"Daryl, I'm so sorry." Her voice broke, "I'm so sorry about everything that's happened. Truly." She burst into quiet sobs and buried her face in her hands.

"Hey, no. Stop that." He reached out and patted her shoulder timidly.

She couldn't look at him. "I'm sorry that my people kidnapped you and tortured you and…" she drew in a deep, hitching breath, "I'm so grateful you saved my life. I really am."

She tried desperately to stop crying, knowing it was making him uncomfortable, but she couldn't seem to quit. She buried her face in the crook of her arm and tried to muffle her sobs.

Daryl swore softly then scooted across the small couch and gathered Amelia into his arms. She didn't resist. Just wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face into his chest and wept bitterly.

After about five minutes, her tears dried up and she rested quietly against his chest. She could feel the solid beating of his heart under her cheek and as she discreetly wiped her nose with the back of her hand she marveled at how warm he was. He patted her back awkwardly and she felt his heartbeat increase when she slipped her hand back around his waist and placed it gently on his back, mindful of the scars. For the first time since her nightmare she was warm and relaxed. She sighed softly and snuggled in closer, hoping Daryl would relax with her. It didn't work. She could feel his body tensing under her and with a vague sense of disappointment she forced herself to straighten up.

"I'm sorry." She whispered staring down at her hands. Daryl was a good man but he wasn't one for comforting hysterical women. She felt badly that she had made him tense and uncomfortable. She raised her head and blinked in surprise. Daryl's face was closer than she thought; their noses were almost touching and when she tried to pull back, he shuddered and gripped the back of her neck with one strong hand.

They stared silently at each other before Daryl suddenly tightened his grip on her neck

"If you want me to stop, tell me now." He warned. His breath was warm and sweet on her lips.

She opened her mouth to tell him to stop but she couldn't seem to get the words out. Instead of speaking she placed a soft, open-mouth kiss on his lips. He groaned but didn't move. She kissed him again, this time running her tongue along his upper lip before sucking gently on his lower lip. With another soft groan he claimed her mouth roughly, thrusting his tongue into her mouth to stroke hers before biting her bottom lip. She gasped into his mouth and he pulled back.

"Sorry." He murmured. "Did I hurt ya?"

She shook her head, "No. I like it."

He groaned and kissed her again. She climbed into his lap, straddling him as he reached up and pulled the elastic band out of her hair. Her hair fell around their faces like a dark curtain and he threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her head steady as he kissed her.

Amelia wrenched her mouth free, gasping for air as he kissed his way down her throat. He bit her collarbone lightly and she arched her back in pleasure, gripping his shoulders in her hands. Before she could react he grabbed the hem of her t-shirt and yanked it almost frantically from her upper body.

His breathing quickened at the sight of her naked breasts and he cupped them with slightly shaking hands. He looked up at her and her body flooded with heat in response to the need in his eyes.

"So beautiful." He growled. He dipped his head and placed a soft kiss on one nipple. It hardened immediately and he took it into his mouth, sucking hard before releasing it and blowing softly on it.

"Daryl please." She moaned quietly as he switched to the other breast and slowly teased and tortured that nipple with his mouth and teeth.

He lifted her from his lap and pushed her back on to the couch. He stared at her for a moment, her lips swollen from his kisses, her hair fanned out in a dark cloud under her. She smiled at him and reached for his shirt, he helped her pull it off and then leaned into her, pushing her thighs apart so he could settle his hips between them. She moaned and thrust her hips into him when she felt his erection pressing against her.

Amelia tried to keep quiet as Daryl leaned over her and placed a soft kiss between her breasts. She ran her fingers over the hair on his chest before leaning up and trailing a path of kisses along his collarbone. She liked the way he moaned at the feel of her tongue.

She skimmed her hand across his flat abdomen and slipped one finger under the waistband of his boxers. She ran her finger back and forth under the elastic as he shuddered above her.

"Amelia." He rasped.

Boldly she slipped the rest of her hand into his shorts and took him in her hand. At her touch he buried his face in her throat to muffle his loud groan. He panted harshly in her ear as she touched him with firm, slow strokes. After only a few moments, he reached down and pulled her hand free.

"Stop." He panted. "You're going to make me explode."

She giggled softly, wiggled her hand free and made for the waist of his shorts again. With a low growl he grabbed her hand and pinned it above her head. Her other hand was trapped between the love seat and his body and he gave her a decidedly wolfish grin.

"My turn." He whispered. With his other hand he gripped one smooth thigh and forced her legs to part wider, settling himself more firmly against her. She could feel his erection directly against her, separated only by the thin material of their shorts and she pushed her hips up eagerly. He placed a path of warm, moist kisses from her throat down to the hollow of her breasts. She arched her back, silently urging him on and he obliged, kissing his way to one rose-tinged nipple and tracing it lightly with his tongue. She whimpered when instead of taking it into his mouth, he kissed his way to the other and repeated the torturous licking.

"Please Daryl." She moaned softly.

He ignored her, planting light kisses and nips around each breast and then down her ribs. Amelia twisted and turned beneath him. Her skin was on fire; every spot that Daryl touched with his mouth burned in the most delicious way. She pulled frantically, trying to loosen his grip on her wrist, while her other hand dug into his ribs. Finally, he released her and she grabbed his head in her hands forcing his mouth to her breast. He chuckled softly then took her nipple into his mouth, sucking hard as she gasped and moaned beneath him.

After a few long moments, he lifted his head and kissed her hotly. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and she sucked hard on it before releasing him. He was flushed and panting and as he bit her lower lip, tugging on it lightly, his hand left her breast, traced down her stomach and slipped into her shorts. He reached around and cupped her naked bottom, squeezing it and pushing her against his erection. She shivered when he placed his hand on her hip. His thumb stroked her hip bone firmly over and over until she wanted to grab his hand and push it towards her warmth and wetness.

Finally, when she thought she couldn't bear it any longer, he moved his hand across her flat abdomen and down the outside of her thigh. She twisted her thigh towards him and he let his hand trail across her leg before running his fingers down the inside of her thigh.

"Daryl." She whispered his name in a voice full of frustration and need.

He rested his palm on her lower stomach and let the tips of his fingers graze across the soft curls at the apex of her thighs.

"Amelia?"

Both her and Daryl froze as Ellie's rising, panic-filled voice called for her again.

"Amelia! Where are you?"

"I'm on the couch honey. It's okay. Everything's alright." She hoped she came across as soothing.

"I thought you left me." The little girl sounded on the verge of tears.

"No baby girl, I wouldn't leave you." Amelia groped blindly for her t-shirt as Daryl eased his way from her body to the floor in front of the loveseat.

"Where's Daryl?"

"He's here too. We couldn't sleep so we were just um, talking." Dammit! Where was her stupid shirt?

Daryl thrust the shirt into her hand from his spot on the floor and she struggled into it just as she heard the light patter of Ellie's feet on the floor. She sat up, hoping the t-shirt was completely covering her as Ellie appeared beside her.

"I can't sleep either." Ellie crawled into her lap. She stared at Daryl for a moment, not seeming to find it odd that he was sitting shirtless on the floor. The three of them sat together in silence, Amelia trying to control her frustration and desire. Her body throbbed and ached with need and she knew without a doubt that if Ellie hadn't interrupted them Daryl would be inside of her right now, taking care of that aching need. She swallowed hard; thinking thoughts like that was not helping.

"It's dark." Ellie whispered

"That's because it's the middle of the night. You're supposed to be sleeping." Amelia shifted her into a more comfortable position on her lap, stealing a quick glance at Daryl. In the darkness she could just make out the features of his face. He was staring straight ahead and didn't seem to be listening to either of them.

"Why don't I tuck you back into bed?" If she fell back asleep quickly enough, she and Daryl could hopefully pick up where they left off.

"Come with me." Ellie pleaded. "I don't like to be alone."

"Ellie, I'll be right here on the couch with Daryl. You won't be alone."

"Please Amelia. I feel scared." Ellie sniffed, obviously about to cry.

"Okay baby girl, okay. I'll stay with you." She lifted Ellie in her arms and carried her towards the bed.

"Daryl?" Ellie's voice was soft in the darkness.

"Yeah?" he responded.

"Are you coming back to bed with us?"

He cleared his throat roughly, "In a few minutes."

Satisfied with his answer, Ellie clung to Amelia in the bed.

"Night 'melia." The little girl mumbled against her shoulder.

"Night Ellie." Amelia murmured. She laid awake in the darkness for a long time listening to Ellie's soft breathing and the rougher breathing of Daryl at the loveseat but he still hadn't come back to the bed when she finally drifted off into a restless sleep.