Hope you all had a wonderful weekend...I know I did! But, it's back to the grindstone now...and I have another chapter ready and waiting for you to read!

THANK YOU READERS for your kind words/reviews!

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: TALK OF SEXUAL ABUSE, PHYSICAL ABUSE, & LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of The Walking Dead characters and I'm NOT making any money off of them! I only claim the characters I created for this story (Kim Monroe, Jim & Anna Gibson, & Leslie Peters).

**Please leave reviews.**

**WARNING: CONTAINS IN DEPTH DETAILS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, PHYSICAL ABUSE, & LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

Getting up early the next morning, Kim woke up Leslie to let her know she would be going out for the day with Daryl and that Carol would be there for her. She had been surprised that the girl didn't put up a fight, instead wishing her luck and telling Kim to bring them back some fish. Making sure she had smokes, bottles of water and some food in her backpack, Kim grabbed the pair of shoes she'd found that she could wear into the water without them dragging her down. Kissing Leslie and watching as she went back to sleep, Kim headed out to meet up with Daryl at the truck.

Going outside, she found him already getting it loaded and Rick helping. Placing her pack into the cab, she saw the two large coolers they had loaded into the back along with an extra can of gas. Pulling the map out, she opened it up as Rick came over to her, "Here's where we're gonna try at. We'll have to find a house or something along the river there to hide the truck and hopefully they'll have a boat."

Looking at it on the map, Rick then nodded, memorizing it and then looking at the both of them, "I want you both to stay safe out there." Handing Daryl an extra box of ammo, he raised his brow, "Just in case."

Nodding in understanding, Daryl went around to the drivers side, opening the door, "Shouldn't have too much problems unlike the towns. Most I think we gotta worry about is walkers."

"Still." Placing his hands onto his hips, Rick looked at Kim, "Watch yourself out there."

Nodding, she folded the map back and raised her brow, "Always." Going to get in, she smiled as she slid in, "Okay, Dixon...get this bucket of bolts rollin. Fish are biting and we're missin' them."

Starting the truck, Daryl pulled towards the gates slowly, allowing Oscar and Rick to get it open for them before gunning it and heading out. Reaching up above the visor for the sunglasses he'd snagged out on a run, he slipped them over his eyes, blocking the early morning sun as it rose over the Georgia landscape. It would only take about forty five minutes to get to the river, but he kept the pedal down, wanting to make up some time.

Reaching down into her pack, Kim pulled out a cd and slipped it into the trucks cd player. Turning the sound up some, she began to nod her head as the music started. Glancing over at Daryl and seeing him shaking his head at her, she laughed, "What? You can't tell me having some music to listen isn't better then well...the sound of the road."

"Didn't say that. Could've at least pick some other shit then this though," he said and pulled out his smokes.

"Oh my god...Daryl, the Black Eyed Peas were awesome." Not seeing his expression change, she hit the button for the next track. Unsure of what was on the homemade cd she had found, the music started up once more, and she nodded, "Okay, what about Seal then?"

There the rainstorm came over me

And I felt my spirit break

I had lost all of my belief you see

And realized my mistake

But time threw a prayer to me

And all around me became still

Listening to the song, Daryl had remembered hearing it a few other times before, he just couldn't remember where. Keeping his eyes on the road, he nodded, "It's okay."

"I need love, love's divine, please forgive me now I see that I've been blind, give me love, love is what I need to know my name," Kim sang softly with the song, looking out the passenger window and loosing herself in her memories. Closing her eyes, she could see Tim the night he'd asked her to marry him, they had danced to the song just before he'd knelt down on one knee and proposed.

Hearing her soft voice, Daryl glanced over at her, noticing her eyes were closed and her head was leaning against the window. Looking back at the road, he wondered if he should ask if she was okay, but her voice was soothing and like an angel's and he wanted to hear more of it. Biting at his bottom lip, he glanced back at her again, catching her wiping at the stray tear as it rolled down her cheek.

Licking his lips, he asked as he watched the road, "You okay, Kim?"

Realizing he'd probably caught her, Kim lifted her head back up and opened her eyes. Keeping her line of sight on the passing scenery, she breathed out, "When Tim asked me to marry him, we'd just danced to this song." Looking over at him nervously, she then sighed and changed the song, "I'll be fine."

Taking another drag off his cigarette, he reached for the map that was on the seat between them, checking it, "You can talk about it if'n you want. Sometimes it helps."

"Nothin' to really talk about anymore. He's gone...just still hurts sometimes. Leslie's eased that pain some, being she's part of him." Running a hand through her hair and pushing it back, she lowered her window a little and then reached for her pack of smokes, "He was the first man I really loved...that treated me right."

Flicking his ashes out the window, he glanced to her and then back at the road, "You were in bad relationships before?"

Nodding some, she lit her cigarette and then looked back at him, "A few. Guys were just real jerks, ya know? All up into themselves, they were in it more for a piece of ass then anything I think. Lucky I didn't give it up that easily."

A small smirk formed and he breathed out, "Yeah, you don't seem like that type of person."

"What about you? Ever been in love?" she asked, looking over at him.

Crinkling his brow, Daryl cleared his throat roughly as the attention was turned to him, "Uh...no. Never been in a relationship."

"What?" A shocked looked formed and she turned in the seat more to face him, "You never had a girlfriend or anything?"

Shaking his head, he glanced at her, "No. Didn't need no woman tying me down."

Raising her brow, Kim smiled, "Man, you've missed out." Seeing his sour expression, she turned back in her seat, "Figured a nice lookin' guy like you would've had the women all over ya."

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Daryl shifted in his seat some and looked out his window before clearing his throat again, "Shouldn't be much longer before we get there. Need to start lookin' for a boat."

Smirking at his sudden shyness and the subject change, Kim blew out a tuff of smoke and sighed, "Yeah, we can do that too."

Watching a few houses pass by them, Kim scanned the yards to see if there might have been a boat, but came up empty. They were almost to the river when a small trailer came into view with a John boat sitting to the side on a trailer. "There's one...my side. Should be big enough."

Slowing down and pulling into the drive, Daryl pulled over to the boat and looked around. Not seeing any walkers around, he nodded to her, "Let's get it hooked up. Make sure you got your gun through. Will need ya to help me get the trailer hitched on."

Nodding, she got her pistol, and then got out. Clicking the safety off in case they ran across anyone, she moved to the back of the truck and started directing him back. Once the hitch was lined up, he got out and she looked into the boat, "Look's in okay condition. Won't need the motor though, just the oars." Finding a small brick tried to a rope that was then tied a the other end to the boat, she picked it up and chuckled, "Makeshift anchor...nice."

Getting the boat loaded, they got back in and headed further down to the river. Finding a small dirt road that led down to a small boat landing, Daryl backed the trailer down into the water some and then parked. It took little time to get everything they needed into the boat and get it into the water. Once the truck was pulled up and hidden in the trees from anyone that could pass on the road, they got in and headed out down the river.

They'd been on the river for almost an hour before Kim found a spot she wanted to try. The brush pile looked to be about twelve feet wide and going out ten feet into the water. She wasn't sure how deep it would be, but figured it was at least a start. Tossing the brick over the side, Kim then stood up and peeled off her shirt, revealing her black bra she was wearing. Emptying her pockets out, she saw Daryl starring at her in disbelief, "What? My face go green or somethin'?"

Clearing his throat and looking away, Daryl grumbled, "The fuck ya doin' takin' your shirt off, woman?"

Looking down, she then placed her hands on her hips and raised a brow, "Daryl, please tell me what the difference is between a bra and a bikini top? Cause as I see it, there is no difference, 'cept the fact that I don't have a bikini top. Didn't think to grab one when the world was going to shit."

Taking off his boots and socks, he groused, "Could've least warned a guy, ya know."

"Well, truth be told, I don't feel like ridin' back in that truck smellin' like a fish. Least I'll have a dry shirt on," she said and then pulled her hair up into a tight ponytail. Tying it in place, she looked over at him, "Ready?"

"Let's do this," he said and jumped down into the water.

Noticing he still had his clothes on, she shook her head and followed, "Ya know, you could've taken off your shirt."

Getting his crossbow, he glared at her for a moment and then nodded towards the brush pile, "Best get to it. I'll watch for walkers."

Sighing, Kim rolled her eyes and then swam over to the pile. Feeling around under the water to see how deep it went, she moved slow, hoping to at least be able to feel out a fish. It wasn't long before her fingers felt a fish that had made a home in a pocket of the branches. Glancing back at Daryl, she then looked back down at the water, "Found one."

Watching Kim, he glanced around one more time, seeing they were still alone and then watched as she took in a few deep breaths and then eased her whole body under the water. Looking around again, he then watched as she came back up for a breath and then went back down. Pulling a stringer from his back pocket, he waited, his senses on alert.

Holding her breath as long as she could, Kim surfaced once more, taking in a deep breath as her left hand held onto the fish. She would have to work it out from around the underwater branches as it struggled against her. Taking in one more breath, she dunked back under the water, sticks scratching at her skin as she held onto the fish. Getting it free, she pulled it tight to her chest and went up, gasping for breath while the fish flapped it's tail hard around her body.

"Stringer," she gasped, taking in the much need breaths.

Holding onto the catfish as Daryl got it onto the stringer for her, she then released it as he held tight to the blue string, "Fucker put up a good fight." Wiping the water from her face, she nodded to the boat, "Best get him in the cooler."

"Look's to be what, ten, maybe fifteen pounds, ya think?" he said as he waded back to the boat. Opening the cooler, he lifted it from the water and placed it into it. Taking the stringer off, he then closed the lid back and smirked, "How's the hand?"

Flexing her hand some, Kim smiled and then lifted it for him to see, "Not too bad. Had worse before. Ready to try?" Seeing his look, she laughed, "Don't tell me you thought I was gonna do all the work. 'Bout time you learned to noodle."

"Someone's gotta watch for walkers," he said as he came back over to her.

Cocking a brow at him, she held out her hand for the crossbow, "I'll watch. Get your ass over there, Daryl. I'll talk ya through it."

Hesitantly, he handed over his crossbow and then trudged over to the brush pile. Looking at it, he sighed, "What the fuck do I have to do?"

Coming over beside him, she then moved over some to where she'd felt another fish when she'd been working the other. "Okay, about a foot under the surface, you'll feel a log, just below that is a hole. Felt one in there earlier. Just slip your hand up in there and see if you can feel it, but don't pull it out if'n you do. Got to keep that hole blocked otherwise it'll shoot out before you can catch 'em."

Doing as she told him, Daryl found the log and then the hole under it. Slipping his right hand into it, he couldn't feel anything and pushed it back further. Coming in contact with the fish, he suddenly flinched, "Sonofabitch! Fucker just bit me."

Chuckling, Kim raised her brow, "Never said the shit would tickle. Now, he's gotta latch on good so you can get hold of his gills. When he does, then use both hands to pull him out. If ya have to, go under the water like I did to get a better leverage on 'em."

Barely moving his hand, the fish lunged at him again, and he cussed once more. Getting somewhat mad, he clenched his jaw and then went under, getting hold of the fish finally and reaching in with his other hand to pull it out. When he got it free, he came back up, holding tight to it as the fish fought him, "Get the damn stringer!"

Moving fast, Kim punctured the fish's lower lip, running the stringer though and then tying it off. Wrapping it around her fist a few times, she called out, "Got it."

Letting the thing go, he wiped his face and moved back to help her. Taking the stringer from her, he got the fish, lifting it out the water, "Fuckin' a...that's a big bitch."

Smiling at the huge flathead he'd caught, she nodded, "Probably about thirty pounds there, give or take a pound or two. Good catch though. That'll feed everyone good along with the other one."

Getting it into the cooler with the other, Daryl turned back to her, "Wanna try for one more?"

Going over and handing him back his crossbow, she nodded and then got up into the boat, "Yeah, but let's move a little further down." Checking her arm's for any leeches that might have attached themselves, she then smiled as he got back into the boat, "Did good for your first time."

"Teacher ain't half bad," he said as he picked up the oar and she pulled up the brick. Both worked together, moving down the river looking for a new spot. When Kim brought her oar in and began looking at the shore, he frowned, "What?"

Without a word, Kim jumped out the boat, moving slowly through the water towards the log she spotted. Seeing her prey still hadn't noticed her, she ducked down more, her nose barely above the water. Easing her hand up slowly as she came to the log, she then grabbed hold of the large snapping turtles tail and backed up towards the boat, "Get the other cooler open, got a mad one here."

Shaking his head, Daryl smirked as he opened the other cooler, "Didn't say anythin' 'bout turtles. Good eatin' though."

"Didn't know we'd see any. Not sure who all will eat any, but I sure the hell will. Make up some stew with this bad boy."

Once she had the turtle into the cooler, he helped her back into the boat and then reached for his pack of smokes. Lighting them both one, he handed her one, "Who taught you about fishin' and all? Was it Tim?"

Taking a long drag, she then shook her head and exhaled, "No. Been fishin' since I was little. Daddy and grandpa usta take me with them a lot. Fell in love with it and the water. Hell, half the time they couldn't keep me in the boat. I wanted to be in the water, even when it was cold."

A small smile played at his lips and he looked around, "Merle taught me how to hunt, track...just about everythin' I know really. The old man wasn't around much and when he was he was drunk off his ass and mean as sin. Just stayed out the house as much as I could...out in the woods. Went back when I thought he was passed out."

Listening to Daryl finally talking some about his past to her, she licked her lips, asking softly, "What about your mom? Was she around?"

"Died when I was young. I was out playin' with some friends... heard the sirens and shit. When I got to the house it was on fire. She'd feel asleep in bed smokin'." Taking a drag and blowing out the smoke, he sighed, "Might as well say I've been on my own since then."

"But you still had your dad and brother," she replied softly, wanting to know more.

Huffing, he shook his head and looked over at her, "The ole man wasn't around much less he found a new piece of ass and a bottle. Merle was in and out of juvie 'til they started throwing his ass in jail. Hell, I went missin' for nine days out in the woods, no one came lookin'. Lived off berries and nuts...came back home, walked in and fixed my ass a sandwich. They didn't even know I had been gone."

Taking in a deep breath, Kim finally began to understand some about why he was the way he was now. Granted, she knew he hadn't told her everything, but, what he did was a start. Scratching at her left shoulder, she watched as he began to row them a little further down, "Sounds like your dad and my step dad might have gotten along. Steve...he...he was okay at first when him and mom were dating. Got me whatever I wanted...trying to spoil me I guess. He had money, been in the Navy, was working as a HVAC instructor at one of the local colleges. I was about...fourteen I think at the time. He loved his scotch though...put it in his coffee in the mornin's before he headed out to work and as soon as he got home it was scotch and water for the rest of the night."

Picking up the other oar, she began to help as she continued, "Him and mom, they had a stash of porn I found, that's how I learned about sex, watching there videos. At the time that was when beta tapes were the thing to have...so they were crap compared to say two years ago. Anyway, I was home alone in the afternoon's and would watch them, then one day I was going through there closet and found an envelope they had tacked to the back of the closet door. Had a bunch of twenty dollar bills...so I took one not thinkin' they'd miss it. Pretty soon, I was takin' about sixty a week from it. He caught on to what all I was doin'. Came home from school one day and he was home early...had a scotch in one hand and his belt in the other."

Eying her back as she talked, he set the oar down and moved up beside her. Taking her's from her hand, he asked softly, "He beat ya?"

Flicking her cigarette into the water she lowered her eyes as she remembered, "He uh...he told me he knew I was takin' the money and watching the porn. Said how much my mom would be disappointed in me turning into a whore, but...that I need to pay." A tear fell from her eyes and she whispered, "He told me to go take off my clothes and put on the panties that were on my bed and then come to him in the kitchen. He said if I told anyone he would deny it and they wouldn't believe me. He knew so many people, the mayor, sheriff, council members...hell, most were at the wedding when him and mom got married."

"I'll believe ya, Kim," he whispered, seeing her tears and how much she was hurting from telling her story.

Kim took in a few deep breaths and then looked at Daryl, "When I went into the kitchen, he had his robe on and was sitting in his chair at the table drinking. I tried to cover myself from him, but he told me if I didn't drop my arms down I'd regret it...so I did."

"You don't have to tell me anymore. I know it hurts," Daryl said and gently took her hand into his and held it.

Shaking her head, she bit her lip and then sighed, "No, I have to get this out. I...I never even told Tim. I never felt comfortable with tellin' anyone else, I knew they wouldn't understand, especially Tim. I feel comfortable with you though."

Giving her hand a squeeze, he looked her in the eyes, "You can trust me with it."

Silence passed between them for a little bit before Kim got her courage up again, "Steve...he uh...he had me come to him and kneel down between his legs. He said I needed to learn a lesson and he was gonna teach me it. I was told that for every dollar I took it would be one lick with the belt. He said he figured I owed him at least three hundred dollars. I begged him to let me work it off, doing chores and what not. But, he said no. Then he...he opened his robe. He uh...he didn't have on any underwear and held himself, told me to show him what I learned from watching the videos. I was so scared...I'd never done anything with a guy before, not even kissing and here he was, wanting me to give him a...a blowjob."

Shame for what she'd done filled Kim and she pulled her hand from his, covering her face and leaning her elbows onto her knees as she began to cry more. She'd finally been able to let out what she'd been holding inside for years, but the pain from the memories of it all was still fresh in her mind. It had been a struggle for her to open up and now that she had, she wasn't sure if it'd really helped.

As if on instinct, Daryl slipped his left arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him and his other went to her head as it rested against his chest. Taking in a deep breath, he whispered into her hair, "It's okay, you're safe now. He can't hurt ya no more. It wasn't your fault, he was an asshole."

Crying into his shirt, Kim let him hold her as he tried to comfort her the best he could. Several minutes passed as they sat there before she began to calm down. Wiping at her eyes, she didn't want to leave his arms and just sat in place, "Daryl?"

"Yeah?" he asked softly, looking up to make sure no walkers had wondered into the area.

"You said you knew it hurt for me to talk about it...how?" she asked, snuffling some and wiping at her nose with the back of her hand.

Letting his fingers run through her hair as he pushed it back some from her face, he sighed, "We all carry scars...just some of us carry them in other ways. You...yours are on the inside."

Lifting her head and looking into his blue eyes, she searched them, seeing the same pain in his that she held in hers. "You have scars?"

Hesitantly he nodded and looked away, "When my 'ole man went on a bender, he'd get violent. Usually he took it out on Merle. But...when Merle left home, he left me behind and my dad started takin' his anger out on me."

"You were beaten?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

Letting her go, he looked at her for a moment, debating what he was about to do. Clenching his jaw, he hesitated for a moment and then pulled his shirt up and over his head. His eyes met her's and then he slowly turned, showing her his back.

Scars ran across his smooth muscular back and Kim held in the gasp at the sight of them. The scars were dark, and long, a few side by side. Reaching out, her hand hovered just over his skin before she gently touched him, noticing how he flinched away slightly. Giving it a few seconds, she touched him again, this time, he remained still. Her fingers ran lightly over one scar and she whispered, "This wasn't your fault either."

Gaining more courage as they sat there, Kim moved closer to him and leaned in, placing a soft kiss to his hot skin while her hand continued to touch him.

Closing his eyes, he fought to stay still for her, his instinct to recover himself and retreat playing havoc with him. When her lips touch him, he felt as it his skin was on fire. Until that moment, he had never had a woman touch him the way she was and to his surprise, he wanted more. Her touch was gentle and caring, something he had never expected. Glancing over his shoulder at her, their eyes met for a second and he turned back, feeling his cheeks reddening some.

A small smile formed and Kim kissed his back again, letting her lips linger for a moment and then whispering against his skin, "Let me know if this bothers you and I'll stop."

Keeping quiet, he just nodded his head and he felt her lips again. Dropping his head, his heart pounded against his chest and his eyes closed. Her soft touch was his undoing and he knew in the moment he was under her spell. From the first time he laid eyes on Kim Monroe she'd slowly worked her way under his skin. She was strong in so many ways unlike some of the other women in the group, but at the same time, she had her weaknesses like the rest of them. He could see her strong will to survive and understood how it had come about. She'd been a survivor long before the dead had risen, just like he had been.

Placing one last kiss to his shoulder, she sat back, letting her hand rest just inches from where her lips has been. When he finally turned to her, she saw something different in his eyes, something she'd never seen before. His hand came up, his fingertips tracing her jaw before going to her neck. Kim's breathing picked up and she barely parted her lips to bring in more oxygen to her lungs. The tension was thick between them in that moment but was gone just as quick by a sudden splash in the water.

The spell was broken as his body tensed when he looked up to see a walker had made it's way into the water and was trying to get out to them. Picking up his crossbow, he pulled back the string and set the bolt in place. Taking aim, he fired, the bolt entering the left eye and taking the creature down. Looking around some, he then looked to Kim, "We best get ta headin' back soon. Probably more around here."

Realizing the moment was gone, Kim nodded and reached for her oar. When his hand stopped her, she turned her head to him to find his face was just inches from hers. Swallowing hard, she starred into his eyes, taking notice that he was getting closer. When his lips barely brushed against hers and then pulled back, she parted her lips, giving him silent permission to continue.

Daryl's hand moved back to her neck, pulling her to him as he closed the distance once more. His lips settled onto hers, taking his time to make sure Kim was okay with what he was doing. When she began to respond, he slipped his other hand around her waist and to the small of her back, letting his hand rest there. Her lips were soft against his, there fullness leaving him wanting more. Tracing his tongue across them, she parted them, allowing him in and deepening the kiss.

Kim's head spun. Never had she experienced a kiss in the way he was kissing her, not even with Tim. Daryl was taking his time with her and she savored every second his lips were on hers. A small moan rose when his tongue touched hers for the first time and she placed her right hand onto his chest, feeling his heart pounding against it. From that moment on, she knew her heart now belonged to Daryl Dixon.

Parting from her lips, he rested his forehead against hers and breathed out in a whispered tone, "Go on watch with me tonight."

A small smile formed and she licked her lips, "When?"

"After dinner," he said and then pulled back, looking into her eyes, "We can even eat up there if'n you want."

Biting her lip playfully, she asked, "A sort of dinner date?"

Smirking some, he then sat back, handing her the oar back, "If that's what ya want to call it. Les won't be mad will she?"

Smiling at the nickname he'd given her, Kim shook her head, "I think she'll be okay with it. She knows I'm not mad at you anymore."

He moved back to his seat, gathering up the other oar and they began to paddle back, "Best make sure anyways. Don't want to go pissin' off all the females. Bad enough when you get pissed at me. Don't need a whole harem going after my ass."

Laughing, Kim looked back at him over her shoulder, "I seriously doubt the others would do anything unless you did something really bad...which I don't see happening. You're not like that."

"Still. Make sure she's okay with it," he said, not wanting to cause trouble between her and Leslie.

"I will," she smiled and they continued to row. Even though they still had plenty of time to get back, Kim was okay with heading back early. She'd be able to help clean the fish and turtle and also help with cooking them up. Both of them continued back up the river in silence, each with a new understanding of each other and new feelings. They had somewhat opened there hearts up to one another, one falling while the other caught them. It was something new and different, but they were both willing to see where it would lead them.