Chapter 14: Safe and Sound? Maybe!

Inspiration Images…sort of how I picture Eris.

Eris: Daniella van Graas

Mike: Josh Brolin

Author's Note: Wow everyone! I knew the last chapter was a gritty read…but I had no idea this would upset everyone so much. I'm flattered some of you have become so invested in this story and what the characters do. Since I love happy endings, rest assured everything will work out. It just won't happen overnight. Trust has to be rebuilt. I want to reflect how deep Daryl's fears go as well as his emotional immaturity.

TheBoneyKingOfNowhere: Thanks for bearing with me. Your reviews are always so insightful.

GypsyWitchBaby : You were so kind and I loved your review. Thank you for picking up on my attempts at nuance. And for the other thing I pm'd you about...you're just awesome :)

Nymphchild : Yes…I did. I went there.

Caffiend04: I think Eris was pretty shocked as well.

Leyshla Gisel: He'll fix it. But it's not going to be easy.

XxNeverxLosexHopexX: I'm sorry. Please forgive me?

'Anonymus' & Guests: I'm sorry you were so upset. I hope you hang with 'Eris' and give Daryl another chance! Eris will...eventually. Thank you for caring so much.

And here we go!

Eris had never felt so horrible and emotionally drained in her life. Last night was one of the worst she could remember. Her stomach had churned all night, even after throwing up when she reached the RV.

Morning arrived all too quickly. Eris threw on some clothes, ran a brush roughly through her hair and brushd her teeth. At breakfast, she completely avoided eye contact with Daryl and Michonne. So she was actualled quite startled when Michonne came up to her after breakfast.

"I believe you dropped this," Michonne handed her the flashlight. She jerked her head up at the obvious reminder that last night hadn't actually been a dream. She gathered enough composure to keep herself from attacking the woman in front of her. Instead she raised her head proudly….as she had been taught to do her entire life. But she couldn't ignore the look on Daryl's face as she met his eyes a couple of yards away. She held her head up high…and smiled her most gracious smile as she accepted the flashlight.

"Yes…I do recall dropping it last night. I was looking for the trash….and apparently I found it," she held the flashlight firmly in her had, gave one last look at Daryl before she turned and stepped into the RV. Daryl knew he was trash...but to hear Eris say it? He was stunned it hurt as much as it did.

Carol was the only one willing to go near Daryl in his obvious foul temper. He'd slept fitfully at best and his head was pounding through his skull like a jackhammer and his stomach burned like fire.

Daryl glanced down at Carol's outstretched hand holding a handful of Motrin. In her other hand was a bottle of Coke, one of the cold ones. Nectar of the gods. He accepted both, more grateful than Carol would ever know.

Carol didn't intrude by asking him what was wrong. She just patted his back and gave him another one of her soul penetrating gazes.

He gave Carol a brief look of appreciation before stepping aside to down the analgesics with the soda. He just wished it could take away more than the hangover pain. He'd been so pissed ….and scared when Eris had so casually brought the kid along yesterday. It had been one thing when he didn't care about anyone or anything but keeping himself alive...but once he realized how much Eris mattered to him, he'd thought he could somehow go back and prevent himself from experiencing the excruciating pain when she died.

Yesterday, he just couldn't get the image of her lifeless body being fed to this madman's kid out of his mind. It didn't make him sad or even pissed like when they found Sophia or when Merle had been chained to that roof. Itwas an intense searing terror that he wasn't sure he could bear. And it was only a matter of time…and now with the kid. She reminded him so much of Sophia.

He had just wanted it all to stop…to not care anymore…not be so fuckin' terrified. And after the first bottle, he actually seemed to not care. For a while at least. But then he'd gone off in the woods to take a piss….and Michonne came up behind him. All he could focus on was that she was not Eris. Over and over, repeating in his head…'Not Eris.' As long as she wasn't Eris, he couldn't be hurt. It numbed him….to just go through the motions and not care. Just like before the world went to shit…just a drunken fuck with some nobody.

But the look on Eris' face was burned into his mind. 'I can't get her out of my head,' he lamented. He'd done some shitty things in his life….but this made him feel the worst. 'She hates me….and she'll never ever forgive me.'

Daryl lead the way as they continued toward the destination Giles had mapped out. The roads were becoming more and more isolated, which was actually a good thing. The number of walkers they encountered diminished exponentially as they wound their way deep into the Smoky Mountains.

It was dusk when they arrived at the obscure destination. If they hadn't had a map…they never would have found this place. They'd been driving for at least an hour on an obscure dirt road that didn't even exist on the Rand McNally map.

Eris raced out of the RV with Sam right on her heels. The entire day the girl had been shadowing Eris….sensing the overwhelming sadness that had engulfed the woman. The woman she owed her life to.

Eris began running back and forth along the gated entrance, feeling all around the brick wall. Eris had seen Giles get them into safe houses before and knew there was always an entrance device somewhere…or a communication device. But it was never in plain view. Everyone watched helplessly as Eris ran her hands along every obscure place around the gated entrance.

Daryl grabbed his crossbow and stepped closer to Eris, to protect her. That is until Sam literally bared her teeth and snarled at Daryl when he neared Eris… Sam felt satisfied when Daryl backed away.

Eris smiled with relief when she finally felt a control panel under her fingertips. It wasn't easy. She had to reach her hand far behind the wall before she felt anything. She didn't know what buttons to push, so she just began pushing them all. The whole time shouting, "It's me, Eris! Giles and Chantal sent me here…please let us in."

Suddenly they watched as the wrought iron gates started slowly opening….it reminded some of them the way the CDC gates had opened. None of them could forget how that turned out.

"What do you think this place is," Sam asked Eris after they were back in the RV.

"Sweetie…I have no idea. Hopefully it's safety," Eris prayed as she drove in. In the rearview mirror she watched the gates close ominously behind them.

"Holy shit," Sam gasped as they drove up to what appeared to be a large elegant hotel. It wasn't gigantic…but it was the type of place Eris was familiar with. The type of place that never had to advertise.

Eris gave Sam a disapproving look at her foul language, which garnered an eyeroll from Sam.

"Do you think they will let us stay here?" Sam asked, not quite believing how her life had changed for the better.

"They let us in didn't they?" Eris answered with more confidence than she felt. Sam wasn't fooled…nor did she miss the tension in Eris' shoulders.

She put the RV in park and raced out to be the first one at the door. She never anticipated Daryl would push her back …aiming his deadly crossbow at the doors.

The handsome man that answered seemed shocked, but not frightened at the crossbow aiming directly at his head. The man simply ignored Daryl and rushed to reach Eris, embracing her.

"Eris….I've been so worried," Daryl stilled. He was helpless to move against tis prick as he watched this man putting his hands on his woman. He felt his bow finger twitch as the thought of ending this fucker felt better and better. But when Rick placed a hand on his shoulder…urging him to stand down…he did. He didn't like it but he did it.

They were welcomed into the elegant, yet understated lobby. The fresh flowers were long since gone….but no one could miss that this place somehow still had air conditioning. You could almost hear the collective sigh as they all entered to lobby. They knew it wouldn't be long until winter set in…and if this place had AC it likely would have heat.

"Eris…I know you don't know me. But I'm Mike. Giles told me to expect you." This guy still had his arms around Eris' shoulders the whole time he talked.

"Where are they?" Mike asked, his eyes narrowing. "Are they still out there casing the joint?"

"No," Eris did her best to keep her voice from cracking. "They aren't outside. Giles and Chantal …..they didn't make it . They were killed."

"Oh," Mike didn't know what to say. "Jeez, I'm so sorry. I know how they both felt about you." It was all he could think of.

"It's getting late. Why don't we get everyone into a room and then something to eat…ok?" he looked around at everyone to make sure that was acceptable. The only one that seemed unhappy about the news was the crossbow dude. Mike made a special note to ask Eris about him….to make sure he wasn't going to be a problem. He didn't need any trouble…and he wasn't afraid of doing what was necessary to take care of it. He might be playing the role of innkeeper now…but he had been trained to blend in and look like whatever people expected…and he was quite good at it.

"Thank you….Mike," Eris whispered….as she regained her composure.

"As you can guess….all the rooms are empty. Feel free to grab whichever ones you like. Still…it would be best to stay near one another" Mike recommended, using his hotel concierge voice.

Daryl hated this guy… and he was just the type of guy that Eris should be with.

Everyone threw their things into the room of their choice. Sam and Eris had picked a large room with a luxurious en suite bathroom. Sam immediately jumped into the giant basin tub. Eris was surprised...and pleased that Sam had elected to stay with Eris.

Eris sat by Sam at the large mahogany dining table as everyone greedily ate steak, baked potatoes and broccoli. The fresh ingredients had long ago spoiled…but there was still plenty of frozen. And the wine….that was just perfect. Mike opened up multiple bottles of an expensive vintages and T-Dogg assumed the role of sommelier, making sure everyone always a full glass….but not Sam. In a show of defiance the girl took a big slurp out of Carol's glass again, pretending to ignore Eris' disapproving glare. Sam just shrugged her shoulders and mouthed "What?" in the most innocent manner.

"What is this place? This obviously is not a Holiday Inn Express?" Rick asked Mike who sat comfortably beside him. It had taken Mike less than a second to glean Rick had assumed the role of leader. But still Mike turned to Eris and then back to Rick again before he spoke, as if deciding how much to reveal.

"Have you ever heard of 'Project Greek Island'?" Mike posed the question to Rick, who just stared back blankly, nodding his head 'no'. It was Glenn, who perked up and started speaking.

"Yeah…I have. Back in the 50's the government started building a secret bunker underneath the famous Greenbriar Hotel in Virginia to house members of Congress in the event of a national disaster. What was amazing was how no one knew what was going on during the construction." Maggie squeezed his hand, impressed Glenn was more comfortable exhibiting his obvious intelligence.

"Excellent, Glenn. You are spot on." Mike complimented. "But the Greenbriar wasn't the only hotel with secret facilities under construction…when word started getting out, and technology started to improve, the decision was made to build smaller facilities in every state."

"Are you saying this is one of those places?" Rick asked, still not comprehending all of the implications. Mike nodded.

"Does that mean there is an underground bunker here….with supplies?" Lori interjected. Again, Mike only nodded.

"And fully outfitted medical facilities," Mike confirmed. He didn't miss Lori's now visible baby bump. Lori audibly sighed with relief and leaned into Rick's embrace….both of them feeling real hope for the first time in a long while.

"What about government officials? Are they here?" Glenn asked, not forgetting the original purpose of these bunkers.

"No one ever made it here...it all happened too quickly. I got some calls, but no one ever made it. Until you guys." Mike explained.

Daryl kept watching Mike who sat next to Eris. He hated the way the man always took an opportunity to touch her arm, or casually rest his arm on the back of her chair. But as much as he wanted to drown his pain again in all the booze that was near….he was still too wrecked from last night to stomach any more. But he didn't miss how Mike kept refilling Eris' glass.

"Eris….we all need to thank you for bringing us here," Rick said out loud and he raised his glass, Lori joining him with a huge smile for Eris. "And Mike….thank you for letting us stay." The fact that Daryl didn't raise his glass did not go unnoticed by Eris…..or Mike.

"So, is there anything fun to do here?" Carl asked, looking like the kid he was for the first time in a long while.

"As a matter of fact we do. There's an indoor pool and an outdoor pool." Carl lit up at the idea of actually going swimming.

"How do you keep all of this still running?" Glenn asked Mike.

"Since this facility was to be used as a shelter for government officials in case of a disaster, they installed solar and windmills all over the property. When guests first started to comment on them, we just bragged about what a 'green' environmentally responsible hotel this was. Of course we also have generators and underground fuel tanks…but they are only required to augment the power grid. The golf course is, as you can expect is overgrown now but the tennis courts are still fine."

T-Dogged snarfed his wine when he broke out in laughter at the thought of playing a round of golf in a zombie apocalypse. Adds a whole new spin on course hazards.

"There's also video games, dvd's and such in the rec room. Is anyone up for a quick tour?" Mike looked around at the table of eager faces.

Eris sent Sam off with Carl and Mike to play games so she could help Carol with the dishes. Carol knew something was up with Eris…heck everyone noticed the estrangement between her and Daryl. Carol worried about what to say to her…if she should say anything at all.

"Daryl's hurting too, you know" Carol softly broached the subject as passed another clean, wet plate to Eris who was drying the dishes.

Eris started gripping the plate so tightly Carol worried it might actually shatter in the her hands. "Yeah well, you won't need to worry too much….he's got someone to help him get over it," she replied sarcastically as images of Michonne and Daryl flooded her being.

"Oh honey….he didn't," Carol's heart broke, as much for Daryl as it did for Eris. She couldn't fathom why Daryl would hurt Eris like this. He was obviously in love with her. Why he was self-sabotaging like this? But the tears in Eris' eyes told her he had done something really, really stupid.

"What happened honey?" Carol whispered, even though it was going to be a difficult thing to hear. Eris' eyes pooled with unshed tears as she was faced with actually verbalizing what happened. It made it real somehow….not just a horrible nightmare.

"Last night….I just couldn't sleep after the argument we had earlier. I just wanted to talk to him…. but he wasn't in his tent. " Carol's heart clenched knowing exactly where this story was going.

"I thought I heard something in the distance. And I did. It was him having sex with Michonne," Eris sobbed as the dam of tears broke. Carol pulled the trembling woman into her arms as her body wracked with sobs.

"It hurts…it hurts so much. I'd never been with anyone before Daryl…and now, I don't know how to do this," Eris hiccupped between words. "I just don't know how to pretend it doesn't matter? That I don't care."

"You're doing great. I know it hurts but it will get better, I promise." Carol kept up her soothing words. "Just remember, you have nothing to apologize for…you can hold your head high."

"It hurts… just to look at him. And the idea of him with Michonne... it makes me ill. I don't know how I'll be able to stand it." Eris wiped her eyes with the dry cloth.

"I know that is something you never have to worry about," Carol promised, recalling the way Daryl visibly recoiled at Michonne's touch this morning.

"Try and keep busy and focus your energies on more productive matters." Carol advised. At least that was something Eris knew how to do. She'd spent a lifetime at it.

Mike walked in and gave a muffled cough…discretely announcing his presence. He never let on that he'd been listening to every word from the hallway.

"And we are finally nearing the end. Here we have the library," Mike placed his hand on the small of Eris' back, guiding her forward. Mike took great pleasure at the looks of disgust he kept getting from Daryl. And when the others weren't looking, Mike returned the look. The lines were drawn.

"And over here," Mike opened up a set of double-doors, "Was where there would be dancing and live music."Mike was back in concierge mode.

"Dancing?" Maggie's eyes lit up as she pulled Glenn into the room.

"No way…Nuh Unh." Glenn protested but Maggie only smiled her smile and Glenn became putty. By now everyone else had entered the room and Mike switched on the dim lighting. The crystal chandeliers glowed like millions of tiny candles casting a romantic golden hue over the room and their twinkles glittered against the shiny floor. Mike flipped another switch and soft orchestral music filled the room.

Maggie lured Glenn into performing a waltz and Glenn fumbled along. Rick grabbed a surprised Lori and pulled her into his arms. Lori was so shocked at the romantic gesture, she got a case of the giggles. Eris actually enjoyed this glimpse at 'nice' Lori and, in this moment, could see why Rick was so obviously in love with her. After last night, she had a whole new respect for a couple that could stand the test of time.

When Hershel joined in with Carol as his partner, Mike decided to take the opportunity and pulled Eris into his arms. Eris startled at the touch…a man's intimate touch that wasn't Daryl's. But one glance at Daryl…and then Michonne, strengthened her resolve. She raised her chin, placed her left hand on Mike's shoulder and held his with her right. She fell back on years of formal dance training and followed his obviously practiced lead.

Mike glided Eris around the marble dance floor as if they had been made to dance together, making the other's look amateurish. Mike moved in closer to Eris as they came to a stop. Mike bowed slightly at the applause the others gave. But it was the smirk he gave Daryl that made this dance even more perfect. And when Daryl stormed out of the room, he was happier than he'd been in a long while.

"Come on Eris….please?" Sam begged her. Eris was lying on the bed with her books, just starting to actually get comfortable.

"It's late….tomorrow ok. I promise." Eris really didn't want to go roaming around this place at night.

"But it's been so long since I've gone swimming." Sam pleaded. "And did you see that pool? The inside one! It's the most awesome thing I've ever seen." Eris found herself faltering at the girls infectious enthusiasm.

"We don't have bathing suits," Eris countered without a lot of conviction.

"We have underclothes…. It's no difference,"

"You aren't going to let this go are you?" Sam shook her head 'no'.

"OK …. Let's go. You are relentless you know," Eris told her. Sam appeared pleased by the statement.

"That wasn't a compliment….and if anyone else is there, I'm not getting in," Sam laughed at Eris' attempt to be firm.

Sam and Eris were thrilled to have the pool to themselves. Sam spent the time either diving or doing cannonballs, while Eris tried to loosen her tense muscles by doing laps. Eris had forgotton how relaxing swimming was.

Sam asked her to show her how to do those flip turns she saw Eris do. Eris showed her and tried to help but Sam just couldn't seem to get the hang of it and ended getting water in her nose and sputtering and coughing wildly.

"Eris….I've gotta go," Sam said out of the blue, giving Eris a weird look.

"Ok?"

"No….I've gotta GO go," Sam explained as her eyes got bigger.

"Ohhh," It finally dawned on Eris what Sam was talking about…what Sam was actually considering. "Oh No you are NOT…you are not going in the pool."

"No one will know," Sam complained as it dawned on her she might actually lose this battle.

"I'LL know….now go on back up to our room. I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to do some more laps." Eris actually needed some time alone.

"Fine….but don't stay here long," Sam gave her a worried look that was much too old for her young years. Sam wrapped herself up in her towel before reluctantly heading back.

Eris drove herself to swim lap after lap….until her arms burned with fatigue. She was so engrossed she never noticed that Daryl was there…watching her.

Daryl had actually been on his way to bed when he'd heard Eris and Sam sneaking around the halls. He didn't trust this Mike guy any further than he could throw him. He told himself it was more than jealousy…even though he acknowledged a fair bit was also jealously. Mike was everything Daryl wasn't. He would never have been able to sweep Eris into his arms and twirl her around like that.

He told himself he wasn't doing this because he was a pervert or that he was stalking her…he was just watching over her. They only had Mike's word that he was the only person here….Not to forget, there were dead people trying to eat them.

He'd been outside smoking, and he'd been thinking maybe he oughta just go. He could make it on his own. Maybe he could try and find Merle. But he couldn't leave. Even if she never spoke to him again…he couldn't leave her….not now…not ever.

Tonight he came to terms with just how monumentally stupid he had been. He'd pushed her away for nothing. He realized that it didn't matter if they were together or not. He couldn't stop caring for her….and he had fucked everything up, for nothing. Maybe he should try talking to her….at least tell her he was sorry.

Eris climbed out of the pool, dripping wet in nothing but black panties and and sheer bra. He watched as she dried her hair with the towel before wrapping it around her body…hating himself for instantly getting hard at just the sight of her. Daryl took a few tentative steps towards her.

"Eris…what are you doing down here at this time of night?" Mike came out of nowhere, and draping a possessive arm around her.

"I just needed to burn off some stress…plus Sam begged me," Eris explained noncommittally, shrugging out of his arms. Daryl smirked a little when she did that.

"Here…Let me walk you back to your room. This place can get very confusing at night," Mike met Daryl's eyes from across the room, not letting on to Eris that Daryl was there.

Daryl watched furiously as Mike escorted Eris out of the pool room. Five seconds passed before he kicked the wall and hurled a few choice expletives at Mike. He knew he'd fucked up and that was on him….but this Mike guy seemed to be taking special pleasure in tormenting him.

He was really regretting not pulling that trigger earlier.

An hour later.

"Yessir. She arrived today. No. Giles and Chantal are no longer a problem. No …..Yes. There were others with her….but they won't be a problem. "

"Yessir…understood."

Mike hung up his sat phone and smiled. Today had turned out to be a very good day indeed. He clicked off the sat phone, pressed the code to the cipher lock and exited the hidden com room.