A/N: This is a work of fan fiction. No infringement intended.

The Country Singer

By Leah Pensotti

Chapter 25

Night had fallen on Alexandria, and the able bodied of the town stood infront of the gates with their weapons in hand. Melanie held the hilt of her machete tightly, hoping for any sign of Daryl and his compatriots. Maggie and Carol weren't far from her reach. No one spoke, they just waited. For Melanie, the adrenaline had kicked in when Rick told her to look through the binoculars.

For the first time since this all began, she was ready for the fight. She wanted it, if it meant Daryl would be back safe.

The walkers milled away from the gates slowly, distracted by the commotion on the highway. There were still enough to cause a problem if Daryl, Aaron and Eugene tried to get through the gates then.

Then she saw it, the white van coming down the road. Rick turned and spoke to the Alexandrians, "Be ready. Whatever they attempt, be prepared to fight."

Michonne shrugged and unsheathed her sword, "I say open the gate. They drive in, we kill whatever walkers get through."

Melanie loved Michonne's confidence.

Soon, the van made it close enough to flash it's brights. Rick signaled back with a small flashlight, "Ok. On the count of three, open the gates."

Rick counted to three and flashed his light again, the gate swung open and the van charged through, running over walkers and allowing about twenty to slip in. The Alexandrians were quick to act, hacking and slashing their way through the dead.

Melanie hewed the head off of one walker as the van came to a screeching halt and the doors opened and the occupants joined the fray. Melanie couldn't believe how comforting the sound the bolts from Daryl's bow were. She couldn't see him as she helped clear, but she knew he was there.

She managed to slash into another one, when a familiar voice called from behind, "Gettin' yer hands dirty, Red?"

Melanie smiled in spite of herself and and answered, "I'm trying to save you."

Once the last body hit the ground, Melanie stood covered in black blood and gore, trying to catch her breath. She turned and saw Daryl, Aaron and Eugene being greeted by those who had waited for them. As Carol hugged Daryl, he looked at her and smiled.

She couldn't help but smile back.

Melanie waited for a short time. Watching as the construction crew gathered up the Walker bodies for burning and Rick spoke with Eugene about the news of the munitions factory. Their fearless leader seemed overjoyed. The gates were secured and the lights went low, and Melanie watched Daryl walk to her finally.

"Hey Stranger."

"Hey Red."

"Ready to go home?"

"Fuckin' A."

They walked quietly together to her home, but once they were in the entrance way and the door was locked, they started ridding themselves of their ruined clothes. Daryl kicked off his boots and grabbed her by the waist, "Red..."

"Yeah?"

"It's good ta be home."

Daryl had never been happier to be back in Alexandria, or to see that bright red head fighting to let the van back in. She had joked that she was trying to save him, like he was the princess in the castle...truth was, she wasn't far off.

In some way, she had saved him.

She had at least given him the slightest bit of hope.

Melanie picked up their clothes and headed to the laundry room, "Go on, take a shower. I'll see you in a minute."

Daryl nodded and went upstairs and started the shower. He really wanted to take her upstairs and throw her on the bed, but after three days in the wild and Melanie covered in Walker blood, they both needed to clean up.

He stepped into the hot shower and felt like he might be able to relax for a night. That was until Melanie stepped into the shower with him and started to wash her hair and soap up that pale skin of hers.

"Aw, Red. That ain't fair."

She smiled slyly, "I didn't say you couldn't help."

With that, Daryl pushed her against the tile wall of the shower and kissed her roughly. He pinned her wrists against the wall and she smiled, "I think you missed me."

He nodded wordlessly and then murmured, "Dry off."

Daryl turned off the shower and stepped out, handing Melanie a towel when she followed him. After Melanie toweled her hair dry, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her naked into the bedroom. Once on the bed, he hovered above her and eased between her thighs. Melanie sighed and ran her fingertips up and down his arms, "Daryl...I..."

He shook his head, "No more talking, ya hear me?"

Melanie looked confused and he touched her face gently, her hazel eyes wide. Daryl leaned in and kissed her, he didn't want to talk...he just wanted to show her. Soon her hands were in his hair and her legs were wrapped around his hips.

She began to buck and grind against him, feeling his excitement so close to her. Daryl left lazy kisses down her neck, licking and nipping at her collar bone, his hands traveling to her round, soft breasts and teasing their hardened peaks with his thumbs. Melanie gasped at his touch, and moaned as his mouth followed. He heard her heart racing as he traced his tongue around her nipples, sucking and biting on them playfully.

Melanie was warm and ready for him, and soon she had her soft hand on his hardness and was guiding him inside her.

"Jesus...fuck, Red."

Melanie felt like smiling at his reaction of finally being inside of her, but she didn't, she just put one foot under his ass, and one leg bent to give him full access, to let him go deeper.

She couldn't believe how good he felt, how good they felt together.

Daryl moved slowly, rocking his hips. She felt her chest flush, and looked up at him above her, his hair was in his face. When she reached up to touch him, Daryl took her hands in his own, and held them against the bed and over her head. Soon, their fingers were laced together, and she met his hips with her own with each sweet thrust.

He hovered over her, lips and tongues meeting recklessly. Melanie felt wonderfully unaware of the world, all she knew she needed was him, all of him. It was primal need at it's finest. Her climax came swiftly, making her mind go blank and her body tremble. She didn't recognize the sound she was making, it was a mixture of a pant and a moan. Daryl came closely behind her, his upper body draping limply onto her. Melanie put her arms around him, feeling the fine sheen of sweat on his skin.

He sighed and kissed her forehead, not moving from between her thighs. The whole world could go to hell again, and she'd be just fine there with him...burning bright.

They didn't talk right away, it was like they had to take in what had just happened and somehow find and form the words.

He laid in bed next to Melanie, their foreheads pressed together. Her hair was still damp, her cheeks were pink and the freckles were very evident. Daryl didn't know what to say, how to talk about what had just happened or explain how he felt.

Melanie looked at him dead on, "You hungry?"

He nodded, "I could use a drink and a smoke."

She sat up and walked from the bed to the dresser, pulling out a black pair of panties and a t-shirt, "I'm sorry to say, all we have are methols. If you need something to wear, go check in Adam's room. I put our clothes in the wash. I'll make us some food, okay."

Melanie smiled faintly, and headed downstairs. He sat on the bed for a moment, replaying the intimate moment they just shared. No one had ever been that close before. Daryl had never felt that one or vulnerable with anyone before. He crept into Adam's room and found the same pair of flannel pajama pants that he had been loaned when he had been arrived and roughed up in the rain.

Daryl smiled at the memory, it felt so long ago.

He walked downstairs to see Melanie, bare legged and damp haired, standing over the stove making rice and beans. Three days, that's all that he had been gone.

Melanie looked up and smiled, "Hey. The smokes and whiskey are in the cabinet."

Daryl felt himself shrug, and walk over to stand behind her, his hands combing the hair away from her neck so he could lay a kiss on her pale skin, "The herd...how long were they here?"

Melanie sighed and stirred the food some more, "The morning after you all left, Rick had us setting up those foot traps. We were out there almost all day. When we got to the back of the town, they came from the woods, and just kept coming. Luckily we all got back in, but it was a hairy situation. Because of all the noise, they just kept coming."

Daryl let his hands go to her hips, she always seemed so small...and delicate. But she'd argue she wasn't. The new pink scar on her neck was stitch free, but raised. He liked that Melanie didn't fuss. She just kept going.

She turned around and looked at him, "Good thinking on the cars. I was so worried about you all, I was gonna resort to smoke signals."

Daryl smiled, "No need ta fret, Red."

Her hand touched his face gently, "I'm just glad you're back. With me."

In that moment, Daryl realized just how much of a goner he truly was. All he could do was nod and he helped her by getting down the whiskey and bowls for their food. They ate and drank quietly in the living room, side by side. Melanie had put on Hank Williams and they passed the bottle of booze back and forth.

She got quiet all of a sudden and turned to him, "I know you like to be a drifter and all, sleep on couches...it's part of your appeal...but I'd like it if you, uh, would...keep your stuff here...if you want."

He smirked, "You askin' me ta move in?"

Melanie looked a little embarrassed and shrugged, "I know it's silly. But...it feels right."

If only his brother could see him now. Playing house and living in sin with a full-fledged celebrity. It was like a parallel universe.

But he had to admit, it sounded appealing. Especially after what had just occurred upstairs. So he nodded, "Alright."

A/N: Next up. Some fluff. The town celebrates thanksgiving. Maybe some sexy stuff too :)

Thank you so much for the follows and the favorites! I appreciate it so much! Please leave me a review if you haven't already :)

Super special shout outs go to: Jean F (here it is, I hope you like...I really enjoy Mellie and Maggie as friends, especially after the hesitance Mellie had initially. I hope you like the next chapter, it's going to be fluffy, sexy and happy. They need a bit of happy for one chapter :) and Angie B (I love Melanie's mettle, I think once she is honest to herself and with the situation, she would do anything to protect her own, or attempt to. Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy :)

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love,

Leah P!

xoxo