Thanks to Skitter-Experiment for adding this to your favorites/alerts lists!
Leyshla Gisel: Haha I thought that was great too! Some conclusions are made finally about where they stand, and I'm not far from the good stuff now!
ry123red: Lots of interaction for them, and I have good news that this chapter has some more of that again too! I think you've all waited long enough for them to at least have some physical reactions, even if they aren't there at that emotional level yet, I still want it to be realistic. Yep, I wanted Carol in there doing something; she just seems like an entity on the show that doesn't do a whole lot. Hell I know I would be useless with a gun, but if it was my daughter, I would have been out there anyways and I figured she needed to do that.
Korvescence: One step closer for Sophia, and thank God Daryl finally did something! Things should be getting more interesting for them now, and especially with the chapter to come!
FanFicGirl10: Oh man, if you thought that was a tease then this chapter might put you in a coma! Haha the kiss was great fun, but I finally made a move to advance from here, even if it was just on a physical level. This chapter is special because it is the song that I named the story after, and I figured progress should be made by now, so I hope you enjoy!
BrodyMichael: Haha love me some revenge kiss! OMG I've seen that shirt too! Seriously I am so worried for the return of the show, it's like a gamble; you can place bets on who you think will live and die (so long as that person isn't Daryl!)
WaterWarrior6: Thank you so much, it's a great feeling! Yep, I pretty much hate those people too, though I have to compliment the Governor for making me hate him, he's doing a great job of being the villain this time around (though I don't like to look at his injured eye for too long, yuck!) Haha Carol and Andrea huh, I think I'd say I hate them the most too, unless Merle decides to hurt Daryl, then he's on the shit list too. It was cruel how they killed off Sophia, and I have something else planned for her which I think everyone will enjoy. Haha, don't kill me for the awful cliff hanger at the end here!
celticshannon: Welcome and thank you! I have lots planned for Jolene and Daryl, so I am glad you like their chemistry! Yes, Carol's character needed a facelift if she wanted to be a part of this story, because she is useless on the show, I don't even know why they keep her around. Yes, I am doing a sequel and it will be for season three (looking forward to writing for Merle too, I hope I can do it!)
SilverAdvenger12: The ending of last chapter was the best, I finally got somewhere! This chapter leads to even more, so I hope you enjoy. Glad you like I am mixing up the Sophia thing. It's usually hard to save a canon character, but I think Sophia can live without it messing things up.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Jolene, though I can keep hoping while I wait for February 10th to arrive.
His heart raced all the long way down back to the others. He wasn't so sure on where he had grown the balls that had provoked his actions, but they'd put a smile on his face, that was for damn sure. The timing couldn't have been much better neither, she'd been drivin' him all sorts of crazy with her actions, and it was damn time she had the tables turned on her. He leaned up against a tree, a few nods of acknowledgment tossed his way while everyone remained anxious to hear the news that Cherry had already told him. Rick was standing front and center when she was the last to join, making sure to stand on the opposite side to where he was, her face ever remaining indifferent.
"Well, get to it Rick. What did you want us all out here for?" Shane stood with his hands fitted on his hips, his eyes fixated on their unofficial leader.
"We have another lead on Sophia." A chorus of astonished and pleased words erupted over the group with the exception of those who already knew, "We found her shoes, not too far off where Daryl found the doll yesterday."
"Shoes huh?" Shane questioned doubtfully as he rubbed his neck. The man was so pessimistic that Daryl was starting to wonder if he actually wanted the girl to turn up dead so as to stop wasting his time. The search for Sophia just seemed like something unpleasant he had to get through in order to replace Rick as leader. While Daryl was still breathin', he wasn't gonna give up on that girl and there ain't no way he was gonna give up on Rick either, one of the few people who was as determined to bring that lil' girl back to her momma.
"That probably explains why we didn't find anything at the housing development." Andrea interrupted before Shane could be allowed to continue.
Jolene tossed her a strange look, "You went with him?" She asked discreetly.
Andrea nodded triumphantly while across the way Dale looked thoroughly sick to his stomach, "It was an extended part of the advanced lesson."
"These are two different items that we've found of hers in the last few days. There's a good chance she's still in and around the area so I'd like to get more volunteers added to the search." Rick continued, "The grid has been cut a considerable amount, we should have her found within days now."
Shane was already shaking his head, and all but stormed away as a display of his disagreement, leaving the group a little disheartened after what should have been good news. Lori pulled Carol aside to get dinner ready, and bless that woman, she hadn't let the shoes out of her sight since they'd found them. Jolene wasn't sure what her purpose was at the moment, though it didn't have anything to do with talking to Daryl, not after he'd made her feel like a stupid high school girl, "Hey, want to help on watch until dinner?" Andrea asked.
Sure." She said absentmindedly, "I don't have anything better going on right now."
She followed her to the RV, consciously aware of a pair of eyes that followed her. Dammit again, he'd crossed the line of friendship with her and there was no going back, even if he didn't know it yet. She braced herself on the rungs up to the roof of the camper, sitting on one of Dale's rusty old chairs with Andrea across from her in a familiar scene with her holding the shotgun on her lap, "You look distraught." She noted casually.
"Yep, not even going to deny it." Her fingers ran across her lips and she shook herself awake from the sensation, "You don't seem too bad though. Was the advanced lesson that great?"
She looked around the RV first making sure there were no eavesdroppers (Dale) in the vicinity, "We had sex."
It was hard not to pull a face, "I had a feeling. I guess I wouldn't be a woman if I didn't ask; how was it?"
"Cramped…I mean, we were in his car." She had an unmatched grin on her lips as a lust filled look passed over her blue eyes.
Making a mental note to never ride in the Hybrid again, Jolene forced a smile, "Sounds like a wild ride, forgive the pun."
"Oh it was great, mind you it's been awhile for me, but I took what I could get and let me tell you something, he was offering up a lot."
'Probably because he hasn't had sex since Lori', was Jolene's thought, but she supposed Andrea already knew that and why spoil her good mood? It seemed like everyone in the group was having sex but her, and she wanted to pull at her hair in frustration if it wasn't so short. Her conversation with Maggie had been coming back to her frequently, and she had to admit that deprivation of sex was possibly a disease suffered by many at the end of the world, but it just so happened she was feeling it more than everyone else. "Congratulations." She deadpanned while not really meaning it.
"Don't worry, I'm sure it will happen for you eventually." Andrea laughed to herself like she knew some private joke.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing bad. You have to look at the larger picture, like I am." She explained, "After a while it just feels great to let out some steam. There aren't a lot of options, and by the way I see it, we're a not bad looking bunch for the end of the world."
"Yeah right, I know I felt great today after I fell and took a mud bath." Jolene countered with a chuckle.
"They don't even care." Andrea brushed her had in the air, "Trust me you'll feel better after getting it out of your system, and we already know you're in someone's sights."
Jolene felt uncomfortable under the knowing look Andrea was tossing her. She was thrown back through very recent events that had just taken place over at Daryl's tent. Any doubts she had been feeling before about his lack of interest had been rectified, but now the elephant in the room was too hard to ignore and she didn't know where to go from there. For however brief it had lasted, it had felt great, but in the back of her mind there was a voice that was reciting guilt. What if things went too far; what about James? He was something that crossed her mind less and less these days, not because she didn't love him, but because in this world she had to have her priorities straight and she could no longer afford to take in account his well-being. It was an inconvenient truth that she might not ever see him again, and she had to live in the now, not in the past.
"Judging by the look on your face, I think we are thinking about the same person." Andrea continued to pester as she waggled a brow suggestively, "I'm assuming things are slow because it's Daryl, but how far have you gotten?"
"Jeez, what don't you say it a little louder; I don't think Hershel and his family heard you." Jolene said sternly, "And we haven't done anything…too much." She added quickly.
"Well, Daryl is definitely someone you'd have to make the first move with."
"I did." She countered while not liking the tone Andrea was using about Daryl. Hell, it wasn't like he was slowing her down, she was just as nervous to start something.
"Really, how'd it go?"
Jolene shrugged, not really into having the conversation mostly because there wasn't much to tell, and she didn't think Daryl would appreciate her talking about him in the first place, "It's complicated."
Andrea looked peeved by the lack of detail, but nothing could be done on her part before Glenn came along around the RV, calling for Jolene, "Hey, can you come down and talk to me for a second?" He was wringing his baseball cap nervously between his hands while he paced around with what little of a limp he had left from his injured ankle.
"Can you handle things up here?" Jolene asked Andrea.
"Might as well go, your conversation's boring anyways." She waved her off with a smirk.
"That's because I have nothing to tell you yet." Jolene rebutted as she stepped off the roof to the adjacent ladder. Glenn stepped aside as she crawled down, looking like he was ready to burst with word vomit, "So, what do you need?"
"Can we walk a bit?"
They fell instep as Jolene criticized him carefully, "You're starting to worry me Glenn. Did you do something awful?"
"No, not really. I just need advice, or rather, your help." They were out at the field by the fence when they finally stopped walking, "I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but you're the only one who could help me."
"This doesn't have anything to do with Maggie, does it?" She asked cryptically.
"No…not really, I mean, we went back to the pharmacy today and she was pissed at me for a while until she got attacked by a walker."
"What, is she alright?!" Jolene was surprised at how frank Glenn had come out with that little piece of information. She had suspected that he cared for Maggie more than he let on, but she wouldn't push the issue.
"She's fine. A little shaken and I think she understands our point of view on walkers a bit better now. Anyways, that's not what I wanted to talk about." He started to grow nervous again but needed little encouragement from her to continue, "Lori's pregnant."
What should have been astounding news didn't really surprise Jolene. It wasn't hard to put together that there had been a chance of pregnancy before when the group hadn't had access to condoms or other protection. Her first thought of course was whether it was Shane's or Rick's, though they wouldn't likely ever have that answer, "I'm not blown away by this. I can understand why she didn't want you to say anything though. This is the sort of news that affects the group, have you told anyone else?"
"Just you and Dale…and Maggie knows because of the last run to the pharmacy." He said sheepishly.
"You aren't a very good secret keeper Glenn." She laughed half-heartedly.
"Not since yours." He remarked, "I hate secrets, they'll tear apart the group. I told Lori she should tell Rick, and if I know Dale, he probably has said the same thing to her."
"Well, as much as it isn't our call to make, I agree that she should say something. What were you picking up for her at the pharmacy that Maggie saw?"
"Uh…morning after pills."
Jolene shook her head, "They won't work now. The longest effective window that they can be taken in is within five days after, and even then those chances are rare. She'll be too far along for them to have any effect."
He seemed relieved by the news, "Then that means in at least eight months, we'll have a new member to the group."
"Which is why you told me. You want me to help monitor her?" Jolene guessed.
"If Rick isn't able to convince Hershel into letting us stay, then you'll be the only one with a medical background to help her."
"I've never worked in a delivery ward before." She admitted though she understood his logic, "But I know at least enough to maybe be of assistance when the time comes." She also recalled a promise she had made to Shane, and she would do all she could on Lori's behalf.
He nodded putting on a brave smile, "Don't say anything to anyone else. I'm sure we'll all know soon enough, so act surprised when it happens."
"Anything else you need to tell me?"
Glenn looked at his feet again and she swore she saw guilt pass over his face, but it was gone in a flash and replaced with a smile, "Nah, I'm gonna take care of watch with Andrea, it will give you a chance to clean up."
"If that's your polite way of saying I look terrible then thank you." He shrugged and they shared a chuckle at her expense before heading back around to the camp where some small pockets of people were starting to gather for dinner. Carol and Lori were cooking up what they could, and it appeared that even though they had been hospitable, they weren't having dinner in the house with Hershel again. It would have been a stroke of luck if an invite had been tossed their way, but there wasn't much sense in crying over it and they pressed on just the same as always. Jolene watched a curious exchange between Dale and Glenn after he had left her. Perhaps it was another secret that he just wasn't quite ready to share with everyone.
She spared a few words with the women before heading back to her shared tent with Carol. There wasn't any time to wash up, but she could at least have a change of outfit, though she was running short on clean clothes and she didn't want to bother Carol again. She exited her tent, searching around for Maggie who she thought would maybe have something for her to wear until laundry was done, "Hey Maggie." She called.
The girl paused, smiling briefly though it was clear something was on her mind, "Hey Jolene. Back from your search, I heard it went good huh?"
"Yeah, I think we're close now." There was a pregnant pause as Jolene stood halfway up the stairs to the porch, "I was uh…wondering if you had something I could maybe borrow to wear. All my stuff is in the laundry, and I don't want to walk around in mud." She gestured to her pants and Maggie chuckled a bit.
"I think I have one thing that should fit you. Got a great pair of shoes to go along with it. Come on in." She slipped out of her boots before following Maggie upstairs in the house. Hershel wasn't around at the moment so she took that as Maggie's reason for inviting her in in the first place, "Your injured man left his room early. I can honestly say Dad was actually upset about that. Says he isn't ready for any physical work with an injury like that."
"Daryl will be Daryl." She said, "I don't think he's going to listen to anyone about that."
"And now with that lead you have on the girl, it wouldn't surprise me none if he went out there himself again tomorrow." Maggie said as she entered a room with Jolene following, "Maybe you should say something to him."
Jolene made a face that she was sure Maggie noticed, "Oh, I don't know about that."
Maggie's face lit up, "Oh my God, did you have sex?!"
"What, no!" Jolene confirmed immediately, "But…the thought's crossed my mind."
"And here I thought you'd never have sex with anyone from this group. I'm glad I stuck to my guns about that." Maggie said as she dropped a bundle of clothes in her hands, "Shoes are in the closet. Come talk to me after you've changed." She said with a wink as the door closed.
Why she had told Maggie and not Andrea she wasn't sure, though she couldn't exactly rely on the blond not to say anything whereas Maggie was good about not telling anyone else seeing as she wasn't with their group. Sighing, she sat down on the bed and scrutinized the clothing she had been left with, but beggars couldn't be choosers, especially in a time like this. Her muddy clothes were tossed to the floor as she slid on the new material which was light on her skin. When she went to the closet, she could only find one pair of shoes, and she was mortified by them, "Come on Maggie, you've got to be kidding me." She mumbled as she pulled them on. They were ill fitted to match the clothes that she had been provided, and she stood in front of the mirror in the room, wondering if she should make the snap decision to change back into her muddy jeans before the door opened again behind her.
"Clothes fit good." Maggie said in a grin.
"You know I'm upset about this." She had a sour look on her face as she trudged out of the room.
"Oh don't be like that." Maggie waved her off, "Come on, let's go talk before your dinner's ready."
Daryl kept lookin' back at the treeline with longin'. He didn't wanna have to be stuck here for another day when they were already so damn close to findin' that girl. The group was talkin' in the circle while he stood a few steps away leanin' against a tree. Nothin' ever changed, he was startin' to predict this groups actions worse than a romance movie on TV. Shane was constantly beratin' Rick who didn't say a Goddamn thing about it. The ol' man thought he had all the answer while he sat up on that RV, always getting' his two cents in on other peoples issues. Why hadn't anyone told him to butt the fuck out already, he had no idea. Glenn had ants in his pants again, getting' all twitchy as he kept lookin' for the farmer's daughter. Daryl would've thought gettin' his prick wet would've manned him up, but it only made the kid more jumpy. Carol seemed to be doin' better though, that was the one refreshin' change after she'd gone out for her daughter, and it was about damn time she stepped up for that little girl. Cherry hadn't returned outside since he'd seen her vanish into the house. He wasn't stupid, he knew he'd have to talk to her eventually, but he was kinda glad for the distance at the moment, gave him a bit of time to figure out what he was gonna say. He wasn't gonna lie, he made rash decisions all the time, most of his life were based on 'em, but what he had did that afternoon had been thought out since the moment she had left for gun trainin' with the others. Probably wasn't much of a kiss for her, he hadn't exactly done anything once his lips had touched hers just 'cause he didn't think he'd get that far. It was a good deal better than the tight peck he'd gotten from her the other night though. Problem was he didn't wanna deal with the consequences.
"Holy shit, are you seeing this?" T-Dog cried to the rest of the group. Cherry had stepped out onto the porch, her face flushing in embarrassment as all eyes trained on her and whatever the Hell clothin' she had been dressed in. It was some ugly ass patchwork dress paired with red cowboy boots that looked like she had pulled them off some rodeo clown, "Damn girl, what are you wearing?"
She tossed a shrewd look at T-Dog as she approached while some snickers were coming from Glenn and Carl, "They're Maggie's OK. You'd better shut up Glenn, or I'll tell her you laughed at her clothes." His mouth shut instantly as he grew red around the ears, "Can we just drop it?"
"It looks…good." Rick reluctantly stated, "Not very practical though."
"Oh trust me, I know it's not practical, and it certainly doesn't look good either." She took a plate of food from a silent Lori, who looked more sickened by the meat than the dress.
"Some of your clothes should be dry in another hour." Carol told her with a remorseful look, "You can change just as soon as they are."
"Thank you." She went about her business eating her dinner, though eyes kept resurfacing to her outfit, and it was obvious she could tell what they were up to. It was a horrible dress, even Daryl thought she would've look better dolled up in a paper bag than that thing. The colors were all wrong and the boots were a damn sight more distractin' than the sun in yer face.
Meaningless chatter broke out again, and Daryl pushed himself back from the talk of the group, thinkin' it was about time he got back to his tent for sumthin' anyways. It was a poor excuse, but no arguments were made as he silently started his way back to his tent. The sun was no longer warm on his arms as he sat down on a log, focusin' on nothin' particular. Today had been the longest he had lived through since the world had went to shit. He was left with so much time, and with no energy to do anything of value for the group. He got to thinkin' over Merle's words again, or at least what he had imagined Merle woulda said. It was too fuckin' hard to refute that he was a part of this group now and though he did some of the shittier jobs, Rick still did a lot of heavy liftin' too so he supposed it wasn't entirely all on him to be sayin' he was the lackey. Carol didn't think so, and he doubted if Cherry did either. He was outside alone for a while before he got the visitor he had been expectin' all along.
She took a seat across from him, though he hadn't looked up yet as his eyes kept to the small fire blazin' in the dark, "Is it always going to be awkward now?"
"Shit-" Whatever he was gonna say never made it passed his mouth when he looked up at her. She had changed once again from the dress into a pair of jean shorts…and one of his shirts. He frowned, studyin' how loose it actually was on her frame. They'd been dropping pounds fast, he'd felt it in himself but he'd never taken into thought how much the women were shrinkin' too.
"Lori threw up on me." She explained, "The poor crazy quilt dress had to be cleaned and none of my clothes were dry yet so Carol gave me a pair of Lori's shorts, and your shirt."
Hell, if all the women could afford to be sharin' clothes with Lori then they were too damn skinny, "The dress looked like shit anyways; made ya look like trailer trash."
Her eyes playfully rolled to the sky, "You know just what to say to make me feel special."
He ignored her quip with a scowl, "Why'd ya wear it in the first place?"
"Maggie thought it would be funny. The dress was a sewing project of hers from high school and the boots she'd won at a summer carnival. She said the group could use a good laugh, and it had worked until Lori puked her dinner up on me." He wasn't shocked she was unfazed by that happenstance. Workin' in a hospital, Hell she probably got puked on a lot.
"Carol said she can wash the shirt again before I give it back to you if you want, or you can just have it back now and I can find something else." She started to unbutton the shirt, smiling to herself as she waited for his reaction. It was delayed but he finally noticed when she had gotten about halfway down, her purple bra exposed. What she hadn't expected was him to leap over to her, snapping the shirt shut immediately with his hands, "Jesus, don't do that." He snapped, his face red all the way down to his neck in a nervous blush.
"That was well worth the reaction." She teased. She stood up from the log, him still holding both lapels of the shirt closed as he backed up to accommodate her intrusion. His one hand was grazing her skin where it was placed inside the shirt, sending a blaze of heat through her, "Can we talk about what happened now?"
"Ain't nothin' to talk about. Nothin' happened." His tone was softer though and he had many chances to back away from her, but he didn't.
For a moment she looked annoyed, and he thought she might pull away, not that he wouldn't understand. Hell, he was makin' it difficult. There wasn't nothin' left of humanity and this woman wanted sumthin' from him, but he was too much of a pussy to reach out and take it, "Daryl, I kissed you because I wanted to, and after you kissed me back I understood that I enjoyed what I felt, for however little it lasted. I can't really be more upfront with you than that."
A moment of silence passed and all that could be heard were the bugs chirping low in the grass. His gut sank like it was full of metal and as he grew anxious he pushed her back lightly, enough to get her away from him with a small stumble. Her shirt opened again, only this time he was transfixed by something else other than her scantily clad state. Her neck was lean and bare, the necklace with her ring no longer a part of where she went. Whether she knew it or not, it changed things for him. He knew her feelings hadn't gone away for her fiancé, he wasn't naive enough to believe they ever would, but the symbol of what they had was no longer a reminder on her body and he was able to think clearer. He had hated that ring, to the point that he would have never even stolen it just 'cause it was proof that someone had loved her first, more feelin's than he'd ever be able to express for her. He didn't know what it was about her, shit he might never be able to put into words what it was, but she was that unobtainable dream that had finally arrived. The picture was useless to him now; she was scrawny, had short hair and ordinary brown eyes, and that was how he wanted her to remain, "Fuck." He swore silently before pullin' her back into him gruffly.
A gasp escaped her for a moment before she landed her lips back on his where they belonged that night. His hands held her close on the naked of her back with her exposed front scraping against him. His mind was on fire, yelling every reason to pull away and deny himself of satisfaction. It was a bad idea, a terrible, awful idea that would end with him in resentment, that's the way it always was if he were to continue. The fuckin' putrid Dixon gene of his wouldn't allow him to have what he wanted, that's just how it worked. He pulled his lips back before the kiss could advance, "Shit, I ain't no good at this."
She growled, her eyes dark in lust and frustration, "Yes you are. I'll make you see things my way."
"Can't understand you wastin' yer time like this, you must be desperate." He got his back up right away, but she still had her hands locked around his shoulders, forming claws that were scratching him through the material of his shirt.
"No, I'm not going anywhere so you can stop your bullshit. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that you want me too. I'm here now, so just take me Daryl."
Well fuck, no woman had ever said that to him before, and he doubted if any of the men back at camp had heard such a bold request before neither, "Jesus yer demandin." He grumbled before he hesitantly leaned down to meet her mouth again. He definitely felt like the schoolboy being led by the teacher. Kissing was something he wasn't experience in just because it was romantic and he didn't ever want to take part in it other than the odd peck with some girls who would sneak them in on him. Cherry was damn sweet though, and she took what she wanted with careful grace and reserved patience as her lips moved slowly over his. His fingers were digging deep into the soft flesh of her back and she was completely enveloped by him. He jolted when her tongue teased his lips, a wet and warm invasion as he parted his lips for her to taste him. With no shame, he was the first to release a groan of pleasure, and he felt her smile as she continued the sensation of running her tongue along with his. Her hands were in his hair now, and her grip—a favorite thing of his—was tightening and pulling at him in urgency. She was stretched up against him like a feline, her body supple while his hands moved down from her back, trailing her ass that was still generous in size. All sorts of mellifluous sounds started to erupt from her, stirring him to keep up with his passionate bouts.
"Tent." She pulled back long enough to utter one word before she was at him again, her breathing labored and her voice an octave lower which was enough for him to obey the command. Shit, she coulda been tellin' him to jump off that ravine again and he mighta done it with her voice like that.
He started to walk backwards with her in his arms, him nearly stumbling once which resulted with their teeth clanking together, "Shit, sorry." He muttered.
She laughed, "It's alright. Much better than when my face crashed against the windshield."
"Cherry darlin', you'd best watch what you say." He nipped at her neck, catching her skin between his teeth while his tongue rolled over the sensitive spot that responded to his touch by blushing. She moan out her pleas, her legs quickly losing their strength as he hoisted her up by her waist, "Makin' me carry you now?"
She sighed when his lips had left from their assault on her neck and now they were only a step away from the interior of the tent, "I like a man who does the heavy lifting."
"Well you ain't heavy, but you won't be able to walk yer own weight when I'm done with ya tonight baby."
"Hmm, I look forward to it." She lowered her head to kiss him again as they fell back into the nylon confines of the stifling tent, no going back on what lied ahead now, and that suited both of them just fine.
You can't just sleep walk
Can't just sweet talk
New York Sunshine
Darlin' I don't get you in my book
I'll take you
Take you under surface
Come Alive, Hanni El Khatib...
Hahaha man I'm the most evil writer ever to leave it right there! *Dodges glares* But, at least I can tell you that next chapter is going to be the reason why rated M exists so that's something to look forward to! This chapter overall was lighter because I have so much more drama up ahead, the Randall stuff is coming, and I still have my own plot twist with Sophia as well that you'll have to wait for. Hehe, well at least there's been some progress for those two, I wouldn't necessarily say emotional wise, but physically they are really almost there. Thanks for all the R&R and I will try and hurry to get up the next chapter, because it's been what you've all been waiting for! On a special note, this chapter was Come Alive!