Thanks so much to everyone who read, reviewed, favorited and followed! Oh and thanks to Ellie Gardner for kindly reviewing every chapter! I really appreciate it! You made me laugh, smile and blush!

Sorry this is a bit late. I was hoping to have it finished yesterday but I'm been so busy these past few days. I'm reallyyy tired and it's only 9pm over here! I'm probably going to crash in bed after I've posted this lol. So if there's any spelling/grammar mistakes, it's because I'm half asleep lol.

Waiting game

She barely slept, and neither did Daryl. He felt the need to protect her; to watch over her and make sure that she was safe. His eyes barely even closed to blink as he took watch.

They were out of bed just after six am. Daryl called in sick at work, and they ended up firing his useless ass. He told 'em to go fuck themselves. He didn't need their crappy ass paycheck anyhow.

Darcy insisted on making him and Merle breakfast. Speaking of Merle – he ended up falling asleep on the couch with the dog laying on his chest. But from the look of the dark circles under his eyes, Daryl knew he barely slept just like Darcy.

The food weren't bad. Daryl knew he could'a done better but he didn't mention that. The coffee was damned good though. Prolly 'cause it was some expensive shit made in the fancy-ass coffee maker which sat on the kitchen counter.

After they ate, Daryl drove Darcy into town so she could pick up that mornin' after pill shit. For some reason, he wanted to tell her to leave it but he weren't sure why. She took it soon as they got back into the car, and Daryl couldn't help but wonder what might'a happened if she hadn't.

"And in other news; A mother of two has been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend after she told him about her affair-" As quickly as he could, Daryl switched the TV off and glanced at the two people he cared about most.

Merle looked plain angry while Darcy looked pale and upset.

"How the fuck did they hear 'bout it so quick?" Merle growled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his cigarettes. "Fucking vultures. Should sue their asses." He opened the packet only to discover it was empty. "Fuck sake." He threw it on the coffee table.

Darcy leaned over to the cabinet which sat next to the couch and opened the draw before pulling out her electric cigarette and chucking it to Merle who caught it with a 'what the fuck?' expression. "It's electric," she mumbled to him. "I used it to quit."

Daryl raised his eyebrows at her. "Ya used to smoke?"

She nodded, trying her best to smile at him despite the sadness in her heart. "Quit six months ago."

Daryl's lips quirked. "Atta girl."

Merle looked it over before placing the plastic tip in his mouth and inhalin'. He went cross-eyed as he unexpectedly saw the tip glow. Releasing it, he breathed in the vapour before frowning. "Tastes like rainbows and health." He gagged.

She snorted at him. "It's vanilla flavor, actually." She corrected him.

He raised his eyebrows at her. "You can get different kinds?" he questioned; she nodded and he grinned like a pervert. "Don't suppose they do-"

"Don't say it, Merle." Daryl growled.

Merle didn't listen. "-Pussy flavour?" he wiggled his eyebrows at her before takin' another puff. It was better than nothing, even if it did taste like ice-cream.

Her lips made a 'pfft' noise as laughter was forced from between them. "I really have no idea how you charmed my Mother into phone-sexing with you." She shook her head.

Merle shrugged, not looking at all insulted. "It's ma raspy voice," he told her. "She said it sent shivers down her-"

Darcy squeaked and covered her ears. "Ohmygoshstop!" she rushed out.

Daryl couldn't help the rumble of laughter that vibrated through his chest. It was fuckin' disgustin' as shit but her reaction was funny as fuck. Nudgin' her shoulder with his knuckles, he reassured her, "He's stopped now, ya liddol chipmunk."

Merle cackled at them, his eyes sparkling mischievously and for a moment, they all forgot about the situation they were in. It didn't last as long as they hoped though because as soon as the laughter died down, they were left with the dreaded feeling in the pits of their stomach.

"When they find him," Merle spoke quietly and darkly. "I'ma kill him."

"You'll go to jail." Daryl reminded him. "You don't wanna be taken away from her soon as ya got her back."

Darcy turned her gaze to him, giving him a thankful smile for not saying 'If ya get her back'. He seemed to understand and gave her a curt nod.

Once again, she felt tears stinging her tears and she tried to blink them away. "Waiting is the hardest part, I think." She spoke quietly, an ache in her throat. "Not knowing…god." Closing her eyes, she rested her head against the back of the couch.

Daryl's knuckles brushed against her arm. "Everythin'll be find. Ya'll see." He spoke softly.

She hoped that he was right.

Hours later, and still no news, Darcy found herself sitting on the kitchen counter as she watched Daryl cook them all dinner. She wasn't really hungry but Daryl insisted that she ate because it wouldn't do her no good going hungry.

Merle was in the garden talking on his cell phone. He'd been on and off it all day, she noticed. Sometimes texting and other times talking. He wouldn't say what he was up to though.

"What'd you think he's doing?" she questioned, her eyes on Merle's back as she stared through the kitchen window. Fey was out there with him, a big half-deflated football in her mouth as she bounced around the garden.

Daryl glanced up at her from where he stood at the stove and then followed her gaze to the window. "Dunno." He shrugged one shoulder. "Prolly askin' people if they know of anyone called Alec. See if he can get some help."

She frowned in thought. "Can…could they actually help us find Mom?" her voice was quiet, and hopeful, and she knew she probably sounded like a damn five-year old.

Daryl's eyes squinted sympathetically at her tone of voice. He took her in for a moment, noticing the way her back was hunched tiredly and she kept fiddling with her fingers. He nodded jerkily, wantin' to reassure her as much as he could. "Yeah. Don't see why not."

She felt hope swirling through her; the more people looking, the quicker her Mom would be home. They were silent for a few more moments as Daryl sorted dinner when a thought occurred to her. "I was meant to ask…How'd you know where we lived?"

He looked uncomfortable. "Wasn't me. It was Merle."

She frowned. "Okay…how'd Merle know?"

He paled slightly and repressed a shiver of disgust. "Him and your Mom…" he cleared his throat, a light blush on his cheeks as he looked anywhere but at her. "He had your Mom's address 'cause she gave it to him…so he could send her some toys."

For a split second, she was almost amused but then his words hit her and she felt sick. Gagging, she made a face at him. "Gross."

Daryl gave a half-shrug. "If it weren't for Merle's horny ass then we wouldn't of known where to find ya," his tone was worried as he thought about how long Darcy would have been laying there, tied up. Would anyone 'ave found her? A thought occurred to him and he rolled his eyes. "Then 'gain, if it weren't for Merle and his dick-brain, none'a this woulda happened."

Darcy understood what he meant but disagreed. "It's not Merle's fault; not completely anyway. Mom knew what she was doin'." She bit at the inside of her cheek for a moment. "I can get why Alec's pissed. I know I would be but…I never thought he'd do something like this. And I don't think Mom did either, or she would have broken up with him first."

At the end of her sentence, Merle walked in, his shoulders high and a determined look on his face. "I'm goin' out," he told them as he headed towards the front door. "Dunno when I'll be back." He grabbed his jacket which was hung up before exiting the house.

Darcy stared at the front door with her eyebrows raised and mouth open. "O..okay then." She mumbled, turning back to Daryl with a questioning look.

Daryl shrugged. "Don' look at me. I don' understand half the shit he gets up to."

"If he'd found something…" she slid off the counter. "…He would have told us, right?" she spoke slowly.

Daryl was silent for a moment as he thought over her question. Would Merle have told 'em? He internally groaned when he came to the conclusion that no, Merle wouldn't tell them. He'd head off towards whatever tip-off he got, beat Alec to death b'fore takin' Jasmine home…and prolly bangin' her where they stood. "Fuck-sake, Merle." He muttered, turnin' the stove off and headin' towards the front of the house where he peeked out the window, only to find the car gone. "He's already left."

Darcy's heart pounded in her chest. "Does this mean he's found her?" she asked him hopefully as she approached him.

"No idea," he told her honestly. It could mean that he'd caught wind of their location, but it could also mean that someone in the area was sellin' some cheap-ass drugs and Merle wanted first pick. "Guess we'll need to wait and see."

The rest of the day went with a blur. The Morning after pill was starting to take effect and she could feel the dizziness already coming on. She knew it would only be worse tomorrow though so she didn't complain.

They didn't hear from Merle despite the amount of times they tried calling him, and it only added to Darcy's stress levels. Not only was she worried about her Mom, she was worried about Merle. If he had gone after them, had he been hurt?

Daryl didn't seem too bothered about Merle's disappearance, making her think that it wasn't out of the ordinary for him. And if Merle had a habit of disappearing then maybe he hadn't left because of her Mom? She had no idea and all this thinking was starting to give her a headache, or maybe that was the Morning after pill taking affect.

Soon as it started to get dark, they headed back upstairs into Darcy's room. Despite her not feeling very well, she still wanted the comfort only Daryl could provide for her and pulled him towards the bed where the back of her knees met the wooden base and she fell backwards with Daryl landing on top of her.

He let out a 'oof' noise, his arms resting either side of her head which he used for support so he didn't crush her. Amusement twinkled in his eyes as he stared down at her with a quirked eyebrow. "Want somethin'?" his voice was gruff and from their proximity, he couldn't stop the way his dick started to harden against her leg.

She gave him a half-nod. "Need you." She breathed to him, pushing her chest up so her breasts were against him. "Want you." She hated that they were still fully clothed and brought her legs up around his hip so they could get as close as possible. Lifting up her head, she let her eyes flutter shut when her lips met his. "Please."

He breathed harshly and nodded in reply, lettin' her know his answer. His nose brushed against hers and he moved his right arm so his hand could touch her soft hair, fingers slipping into the strands. His lips opened and he captured her bottom one between his in a slow, soft kiss.

She moaned in the back of her throat and pushed her body closer, needing to feel him desperately. Heat rushed through her veins and into her lower belly which felt like a swirling sea of never-ending lava. Her hands desperately gripped his hair, pulling his mouth hard against her open until their teeth clashed.

He grunted and let his body go so he was no longer supporting himself. Their bodies were tightly pressed together and he could feel her breasts against his chest, makin' his dick harden even more. Desperately they clung onto each other; her hands in his hair, grippin', and one of his hands in hers while the other trailed down her shoulder, over her collar bone and onto her heaving breasts.

He rubbed the palm of his hand over her shirt, feelin' her nipple harden through the fabric. She moaned and he rubbed his hand faster, knowin' how much she loved the fiction. For a moment their lips separated, both of their mouths open as they panted harshly.

With her eyes screwed closed, she concentrated on his touch. The feeling of his hand was incredible and he was only touching her breast through her shirt. As he pressed himself down onto her, their opened lips bumped against each other and like a magnet, they were attached again.

Needing more skin, she quickly let go of him longer enough to get her shirt off and over her head. They quickly stole another kiss as she removed her bra before making work of his own shirt.

It might have been something small but she loved that she could feel his chest against hers, and more importantly, she loved that he trusted her enough to show her his scars. It was a whole new level of intimacy.

With his shirt discarded, he let himself look down at her, eyes roaming her naked chest. It only lasted a moment before his gaze was replaced with his mouth.

"Oh, Daryl." She moaned out without realizing. Her fingers curled in his hair as she rotated her hips, desperate for any kind of friction she could find.

He lets his lips brush across the top of her breasts, teasing her with light touches and warm breath before he headed towards her right nipple, which was hard and erect for his touch.

Softly, he used his lips to make a circle around it. One, two, three times he traced it, feeling the bumps around her nipple appear. He felt her hips desperately searching for him so he placed himself between them, giving her something to thrust up against.

Gently, he placed her nipple between his lips and massaged her with them, not yet letting her feel his tongue. He let his hands cup a breast each, pushing them together so he could switch between nipples quickly. When she was moaning with each caress, he brought his tongue into play and lavished her with the flat of it.

She was burning for it by now. With every pass of his tongue, she felt her clit jump and pussy pulse. She needed him to touch her down there because it was becoming way too much now. "Daryl, please."

He pushed her breasts even closer together and buried his face between them, inhaling her scent deeply. "What'd ya want?" he questioned huskily, his voice muffled by her skin.

She wasn't going to beat around the bush. "Touch my pussy." She demanded breathlessly, head thrown back and eyes squeezed shut.

He chuckled against her. Pulling his head away, he quickly swiped his tongue from nipple-to-nipple before finally releasing her breasts. "Move up." He ordered her and waited until her head was touching the pillows before moving his hands to her pants. He unbuttoned her them and pulled down the zip before tugging them down her legs.

"Oh god." She breathed out, knowing she was in for a hell of a ride.

Sorry to cut it off there but I thought it was better to give you guys something instead of nothing xD.

I'll start working on the next chapter tomorrow!

Thank you for reading, and good-night!