Michael and Stephen were outside reinforcing sections of the hospital fence, when they saw the familiar pickup truck pull up to the gate. They both looked at each other an unspoken 'oh shit' shared between them.

Michael said to Stephen, "Where's Anna?"

"I think she's in the laundry room. She said she was going to do something with all the stuff left in the dryers. I'm not really sure what she meant by that."

"Good. Go and make sure she stays there. I need to find out what's going on."

"Okay, but make it quick. I don't want to be the one to explain this."

Michael waved Stephen off and walked over to the gate. He was unlocking it as Daryl approached. "Hey man. What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to Anna."

Michael let him in, securing the gate behind him. "I don't think that's such a good idea. You're not exactly her favorite person right now."

"I figured as much….I know you're trying to do what's best but this is important."

Michael raised his brow. "You mind if I ask what this is about?"

Daryl shook his head. "The group is headed to Fort Benning. I need to see her before I go."

"You're not going to go in there and get her all upset are you? Because to be honest, I don't want to go through that again."

"The two of us have some things to work out. I'm not leaving until we do."

Michael took a minute to mull it over. "Alright. Come on."

The two men walked inside the building. They found Stephen waiting in the lobby.

Michael looked at him. "Where is she?"

"Laundry room. Like I thought."

Michael turned to Daryl. "Let me talk to her first. I don't want to just spring you on her."

"Do what you need to."

Daryl waited, taking the opportunity to figure out exactly what he was going to say. After a few minutes Michael returned.

"You can go ahead now. Fourth door on the left. It's downstairs."

Daryl gave him a nod and headed to the laundry room. Drawing a deep breath, he walked in. Anna watched him as he came down the stairs. Neither one of them spoke.

Daryl stood in front of her, the room's table keeping a comfortable distance between them. This was his last chance. He couldn't screw up again. He knew what it was like without her. He lived it. He hated it. He felt different now, more focused, more sure of himself than before. This time he didn't fidget. This time he looked her in the eyes. "I know you're probably angry, but I'm hoping you'll look past that and be truthful with me."

She put the sheet she was folding down. At that moment she knew every bit of progress she had made to get over him was lost. "Okay."

"If I'd said that night meant something, would you have stayed?"

She felt her heart begin to race. "Yes" escaped her lips.

He shook his head. "Then why'd you push me away?"

She was taken aback. "Why'd I push you away? You were the one who told me that what happened between us was just sex. Remember you said I shouldn't read anything into it….I wasn't going to be used."

"I would never have used you. I can't believe you'd even think that."

"Why shouldn't I?"

He dropped his shoulders. "Look, I lied. Alright. I didn't mean any of that shit I said."

She felt her knees get weak. "Why?...Why would you do that?"

He didn't speak for a moment, not sure what to say. Anna waited patiently. There was no way he was going to dodge the question. Finally, the words came. "I don't know how to do this….You and me….This whole thing."

"You think I do?"

He shrugged. "Don't all women?"

"I'm the last person you should ask." She sighed. "Look this whole thing scares me. You scare me."

He almost laughed. "I scare you?"

"Yeah, you do."

"Hell. You're the one who scares me."

"What? Why would I possibly scare you?"

She could see the frustration in his eyes. "I don't know. I guess I figured at some point you'd come to your senses and wonder what you were doing with me."

"That's ridiculous. I would never do that."

"Come on Anna. How can you say that? Look at what you do for a living. Compare that to what I do. We don't exactly run in the same social circles. You don't think that matters?"

She shook her head. "I didn't become a doctor for the money or status. None of that was ever important to me."

He focused on her, taking in what she'd said. "Why me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why me? Why not someone else?"

She looked up at him. The answer was easy. "Because when I close my eyes at night you're what I think about, not all this mess around me. Why won't you believe….."

She stopped mid-sentence as he walked towards her. He stared down at her with an intensity that cut right through her. She was afraid to move, to speak, to breathe.

Her breath caught, when in one fluid motion he carefully picked her up. He carried her to the table, setting her down on its edge. She felt her pulse quicken as he stood between her knees, his eyes dark and focused intently on hers. Moving his hands to the back of her neck, he leaned in to kiss her. Instinctively she parted her lips. It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle. It was heated and intense. It was exactly what she wanted. It was the essence of Daryl Dixon.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, Anna pulled him towards her. She wanted to touch him, smell him, feel him against her. She ran her fingers down his back, his muscles tightening and contracting as he moved his hands to her hips. She flashed to that night, remembering those muscles, him moving on top of her, the sheen of sweat, her nails digging in.

Daryl could feel his blood begin to pump as she wound herself around him. He couldn't count the number of times he had thought of this moment. It was real. It was happening. She wanted to be with him and he wanted to be with her.

He slid his hands under her shirt, running his thumbs across her stomach and down her sides. Her skin felt warm and soft against his fingers. He wanted to touch every curve, every inch of her. She was his and he wanted her now. He was just beginning to lift off her shirt when she stopped him.

She held his hands. "Wait."

Shit.

"What if someone walks in?"

"Don't worry." That's the last thing I'm worried about.

He kissed her again, letting her know the discussion was over. She didn't resist this time as he began separating her from her clothes. He leaned into her, running his tongue along her collar bone. He could smell the scent of soap on her skin. God she smelled and tasted good. His only focus now was the side of her neck. He knew it was her weak spot. He knew what he could do to her. He licked and bit his way down to her shoulder. She moaned against his ear, her legs tightening around him, drawing him closer.

Anna moved her fingers to his shirt, painstakingly freeing the buttons. She could feel his chest rising and falling as she slid it off and onto the floor. She ran her hands over him, taking in every contour, every plane of his body.

Daryl slid his hands down her back, releasing the clasp of her bra. He slipped it off her shoulders and tossed it to the side. He cupped her breasts, roughly grazing them with his thumbs. He could hear her breath hitch and feel her body shudder. Wrapping his arm around her, he leaned her back onto the table. He replaced his hands with his mouth, licking, sucking, biting, making her groan.

Anna dragged her nails down his back as his mouth moved over her. Her body began to shiver from the wet heat of his mouth. She was practically tingling now. She wanted him on top of her. She wanted him inside her.

"Let me touch you" she whispered.

Just the words sent a shot of heat through him. He could feel his groin begin to pulse. He looked up at her, guiding her mouth to his. He slowly pulled back, bringing her to the edge of the table.

He stood between her legs, his eyes heated, his chest heaving. Just the sight of him made her body feel weak. If I have to die, this is the way I want to go.

She tugged at his belt and opened his pants. She wet her hand and gently took hold of him. A stifled groan escaped his lips. She ran her hand along the length of him. She could feel him growing, hardening from her touch. She watched as his head fell back and his eyes closed, his groans coming in waves.

Daryl could feel his breathing become erratic as she stroked him. "Holy shit. Anna."

God it felt good. It was hard enough to stay focused with one hand, he thought she'd kill him with two. He finally had to pull away. He needed to hold out. He needed to last. She looked up at him.

"Your turn" he murmured.

He pushed her back onto her elbows. With both hands he raised her hips, sliding her jeans and panties off. He kissed a winding trail from her breasts to her pelvis, causing her body to tremble beneath him.

Anna watched as he dropped to his knees in front of her. Oh God. Was he going to do this here? Her leg muscles involuntarily tightened.

Daryl could feel her tense up as he began kissing the inside of her thighs. "Relax. I want to do this."

He ran his thumb between her legs and she flinched from the contact. He could tell she was wet. His body began to ache at the thought of it. He didn't hesitate. He wasn't going to let her rush this. He was going to take his time. He held her legs still, as he began circling, stroking, probing her with his tongue. He could hear the moans he was eliciting; feel her body begin to writhe. With each passing moment, her breathing became more rapid and shallow, her moans turning to gasps. He knew she was getting close. Not yet, baby. Wait for me.

Daryl pulled away and Anna immediately felt the loss. He stood in front of her, his body throbbing. He couldn't take any more. He grabbed her and brought her to him. His eyes met hers as he carefully lowered her from the table. He groaned under his breath as he entered her. Oh God. Yes. Finally.

Anna hooked her legs tightly around him. She draped her arm around his shoulder and rested her head against his. Holding on to her hips, he slowly began to rock inside her. He could feel her breath against his ear, the heat sending chills down his spine. He began picking up the pace, the rocking motion turning into thrusts. He could feel her pelvis pressing against his, encouraging him to go on.

Anna kissed his neck as he moved with her. Her body went limp, molding against his. Even with him inside her, she couldn't get close enough. She could hear his breath become labored as his thrusts came harder and deeper. As the heat rose inside her, she could feel herself nearing the edge. Just as she was about to go over, he slowed. Please don't stop.

Daryl set her back on the table. He wanted to make this last, let her know she was worth the wait. He could see the frustration on her face as he laid her back down. He grabbed a pile of sheets and used it to prop up her head.

He leaned in to kiss her. "Something wrong?"

She bit her lip. He knew exactly what was wrong. He took a moment to pull off his boots and take off his pants. He climbed on the table, leaning over her. She pulled him to her, raising her hips to meet his. Please God do this.

Daryl positioned himself and pushed inside her. He could feel her muscles tighten around him. Jesus...Shit...She feels good. He started moving in and out of her in smooth, even strokes. He was trying his best to take it slow, keeping a steady rhythm between them. She began meeting his thrusts and he was finding it harder and harder to hold out. Finally he couldn't wait any longer. He held her hands over her head, kissing her neck and mouth. He was ready to give her what she wanted, what they both wanted. He pulled out one last time before driving deep inside her. He heard her gasp against his ear. His movements came harder and faster now and she was practically panting beneath him.

He held her face in his hands. "I want you to look at me this time. No turning away."

She nodded under his gaze, her eyes glassy and focused on his.

Daryl continued the pace. He was close now and wanted them to go together. With one final thrust he heard her call his name. Her body began to shake violently beneath him, the action taking him with her. He began slowing his movements not quite ready to leave her. He saw her eyes close, as her body stilled. He leaned in to kiss her. Exhausted, he fell by her side. He pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair as they laid there in silence.

Finally he turned her face towards him. "You really think we can make this work?"

She rose to kiss him. "We'll figure it out."