As Daryl turned his back I reached out and grabbed his arm. He looked down and slowly turned. Before he could even say something I looked up and grabbed his face. I pulled him into me and placed my lips on his quickly. He was stiff and when I pulled away he looked down confused.
"Please don't leave." I said taking a step back.
"Why did you just do that?" he stopped me. I was quiet. "Did you do that to stop me from leaving or you just really don't want me to go?" He asked quietly.
"There a difference?" I shrugged.
"Yes. That was either a really desperate move to stop your group from getting smaller or..." he said stepping forward quickly. He looked down at me. I could tell he didn't know how to phrase the other option and he was quiet. I was starting to think that was a bad idea until Daryl snaked his arms around my waist quickly pulling me in and kissed me roughly. I honestly didn't want to pull away but when he did I looked up at him.
"Was that just to get me to shut up?" I asked with a small smile. Daryl didn't answer he just pulled me in again and I was completely fine with it. His hands ran up my back to hold me closer and I ran a hand through his hair. His lips were a lot softer then you would think. With his arms holding me close he started to back toward his tent and I didn't even bother stopping him. Once we were inside he hovered over me kissing me. As he pushed forward and his hands ran up my sides I was starting to become very aware Daryl would see ever inch of how damaged I was.
My heart jumped a bit when his hand slipped under my shirt. I pulled away and grabbed his hand and he looked at me. My eyes were closed because I was afraid of seeing his confused look. I opened my eyes enough to watch as Daryl pushed away and sat up. When i sat up he turned his head my way.
He said nothing he just sighed then pulled his shirt over his head. "My father was a mean old drunk. Never did anything good in his life." Daryl said showing me his back. I wanted to cry. His back was covered in scars. It was like someone had beat him repeatedly with a whip or belt. Then he turned to face me and there were more on his chest.
I reached forward placing my hand over his chest. He kept his eyes down and my eyes just scanned him. For Daryl to share something like that with me made me feel more than important. I smiled and pushed myself over. I straddled Daryl sitting gently on his lap. He looked up when I put my hand on his cheek. "Well he did one good thing." I smiled kissing him gently.
The next morning I woke up with the sound of birds chirping and Daryl's heavy breathing. I smiled when I looked up to see his head lightly resting on the top of mine with his arm still around me. I tried not to wake him up but when I sat up to find my clothes he jumped awake. He sat up quickly with his fists ready to swing.
"Wooh stand down cowboy." I laughed putting my hands on his shoulders. His eyes opened and sighed when he saw me smile. He leaned forward rubbing his eyes as I slipped my jeans back on. When I pulled my shirt on and started for the door of the tent he spoke up.
"Where you going?" He asked.
"I gotta go back to my tent before Shane finds out I'm not there." I smiled at him.
"And if he doesn't find you there?" Daryl asked.
"Then he will throw a fit start screaming for me, call the attention of the whole camp." I smiled looking at him. "Unless you want everyone to know I stayed in your tent then..."
"Ya yeah alright." He smirked.
"Don't forget Hershel is moving everyone in at noon." I said as I moved toward the door again. Daryl followed me outside once he found his pants. I was walking back to the group when I stopped and turned looking back to Daryl.
"What?" He grunted.
"Nothing." I walked back over quickly. I pushed up on my tip toes and kissed him. I don't think he even realized he was smiling when I pulled away. But I saw the smile and it made my day. I knew he watched me walk away and I was fine with it. I haven't felt this good in a long time and Daryl had everything to do with it.
When I made it back to camp Shane was just coming from his tent. "Morning." I smiled at him.
He looked at me funny. "Your awfully happy." He said crossing his arms.
"That a bad thing?" I asked.
"Well seeing as Dale died last night, thought you would be more somber." Shane huffed. Then I sighed. Just for a second I had forgotten about that.
"oh right." I sighed looking down. I looked up at Shane and noticed his face. "Holy crap." I stepped forward reaching for his badly bruised side.
"Don't." He grabbed my hands.
"Rick did that?"I asked in disbelief. "Shane what did you do?" I asked.
"Why do you assume it was my fault." He rolled his eyes.
"Because your Shane." I laughed. "What make fun of his momma or something?" I laughed heading to my tent.
"or something." Shane huffed walking away quickly. I rolled my eyes and changed into cleaner clothes.
When everyone was awake we all gather and buried Dale. Rick made a nice speech and everyone took a minute to honour Dale. Rick was going to make sure Randell was released and not hurt anymore, just like Dale wanted. I was happy with his decision.
"Shane, Andrea, T-Dog, and Daryl. Make a round and secure the fences." Rick said. Shane and Rick glared at each other for a minute then he started off toward the truck first. I watched as he walked away. I could tell he was pissed about something and I wanted to talk to him but Shane wasn't in any mood to talk. Before Daryl turned to follow the others he nodded toward me and I smiled.
"Juliet." Rick said and called me out of my stare as I watched the truck drive off.
"Yes?" I asked turning to him.
"Can you help Lori and Carl start packing things up. Hershel wants us in as soon as possible."
"Sure." I nodded walking over to Carl and Lori. "Rick?" I asked turning around as everyone else went about their business. Rick sighed looking at me. "What did Shane do to deserve the beating?" I asked.
"Can we talk about that later?" Rick asked.
"No. Just tell me please." I sighed. "I'm tired of you and Lori beating around the bush. Just come out and say it."
"Shane is dangerous." Lori snuck up behind me.
"Okay I know he has a temper but-"
"He tried to kill me." Rick said and my eyes snapped to him.
"What?" I asked.
"Threw a wrench the size of his arm at me." Rick said looking down. "Hows that for tellin' you how it is." he shook his head and walked by me.
I had no idea what to say. Did Shane really try to kill Rick? What the hell was the matter with him! I was so angry but had stuff to do. So I bit my lip and did as I was asked. They were gone for about two hours. And when they came back the first thing out of Shane's mouth was "So what we doing with the kid?" he huffed as Carl and I put things into the back of a truck going up to the house.
"Me and Daryl are gonna take him off site and cut him loose." I stopped what I was doing and looked over to my brother. I knew he wouldn't like that.
"Back to letting him go." Shane huffed. I walked over but kept my distance.
"It was the right thing in the first place." I said crossing my arms and looking over at Shane.
"Just poor execution." Rick said.
"That's a slight understatement." Shane shook his head.
"If you don't agree, this is what's happening. So swallow it." Rick said taking a step into Shane.
Shane shook his head. " Take Daryl as your wing man?" he laughed a bit. " Fine." Shane shrugged.
Rick nodded and walked away. I watched as Lori and Shane shared a look. I sighed. I had a feeling my good day was going to turn bad soon. I sighed as I help others load up trucks and move into the house. It was a long day and I still had this bad feeling hanging over my shoulders.
Shane disappeared to make a look out by the windmill and Daryl went to close off the window in the barn just in case. Everyone had a job and when I was finished with Shane and my stuff I went out to find him. The sun was warm but the wind was getting colder. I didn't even noticed Lori until she walked passed me. She looked upset and Shane was watching her walk away. I looked up to the barn where Daryl had his back turned. I wasn't all that pleased he and Rick were going to let Randell go but it had to be done.
I looked back to Shane to find him climbing the ladder again. "Shane?" I called out and he looked down.
"What?" He asked as he continued to work.
"Did you try to kill Rick?" I just came out and said what I wanted to know. His hammering stopped and he looked forward and didn't want to look at me. "Shane please talk to me."
"Nothing to talk about." He huffed as he started to bang his hammer again. I sighed.
"Shane just come down."
"No." Shane said. "I'm done talking." He rolled his eyes. I ran around the windmill and he finally looked down.
"No you're not done talking. That isn't an option." I said. "Shane!" I yelled and made him jump.
"Jesus Juliet." He said shaking his head. He stomped down the steps and walked over to me. "What? What do you want now? An explanation you won't like or just a lie?"
"I just want the freaking truth for once." I demanded.
"Why so you can judge me?" he laughed.
"Oh yeah cause you never judge me!" I laughed right back at him. "Seriously. Just out with it." I sighed rubbing my eyes.
"Maybe if you spent more time sleeping and not with Dixon you wouldn't be so tired." He shot at me as he turned away.
"Oh your one to talk!" I yelled back running after him. "And frankly that isn't any of your concern."
"Just like what happened between me and Rick is none of yours." He shot back still walking away.
"You tried to kill him. Didn't you?" I stopped dead in my tracks. I didn't want to believe it. The break in my voice made him stop.
Shane turned and looked at me. He could tell I was shocked and scared so he sighed. "I didn't try to kill him. We had an argument and led to a fight." Shane shrugged.
"Which ended when you threw a wrench at him?" I asked.
"Not my best moment but yeah." He said.
"Shane your scaring me and everyone else." I said after he was quiet. "You have no trouble executing a boy, you tried to kill Rick, and now you just seemed unstable." I sighed.
"Well everyone should mind their business." He shook his head.
"But Shane the group only works when we are all agreeing. And you disagreeing and getting into fights isn't making it work." I sighed not knowing how to make Shane see what he was doing.
"Yeah well I don't work well in a group."
"You could at least try." I sighed. "If we are going to make it out of this alive you need to start holding back on your stubborn nature and your anger. because that is just going to get you killed."
Shane looked around and sighed. He was quiet for a moment then he smiled. "We should leave."
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"We don't fit into this group. We would do better on our own." Shane walked over.
"Shane no we can't just-"
"Why not? No one would miss me and I can make you're always safe. It's our best shot." He said placing his hands on my shoulders. "We should just go. Right now."
I had no idea what to say to that. Maybe for Shane leaving was a good idea but I didn't want to leave. These people were my friends. I sighed looking up to the barn where Daryl was working. He had stopped what he was doing and was looking over his shoulder. Like he was watching out for me incase Shane pushed me down again. I couldn't leave. I had made Daryl promise to stay. I smiled to Daryl when he turned to climb off the roof. He looked suspicious but then I looked to Shane.
"No." I shook my head. " We are staying. We need this group and they need us." I said.
"They don't need me." Shane huffed dropping his arms.
"I do." I smiled. "Come on your my big brother. You have gotten me out of some bad situations and it's time I returned the favour." I smiled. "I'm not letting you leave me alone." I nudged his shoulder. "If you just keep to yourself for a few days and start acting like a reasonable person everyone will forget about Randell once he is gone and forget about our stupid issues and move on." I smiled. "Okay?" I asked making him look at me.
"Fine." I knew Shane didn't like my answer but he dealt with it.
"Why don't we go back to the house see if Rick needs us to do anything before him and Daryl take off."
Shane laughed. "Our of all the people you choose to settle with Daryl." Shane rolled his eyes.
"For your information I didn't settle with Daryl." I punched his shoulder with a laugh. "Once you talk to people and get to know them, they are more than they look Shane." I shook my head. "And you shouldn't talk about settling." I rolled my eyes. "You pick who is convenient." I smirked.
"I'm a guy." He laughed. "The girl asks for it I just comply." he said. "You go back to the house. I gotta finish this."
"Don't you want help?" I asked.
"No." he shook his head. "Make sure everyone has what they need. I'll be fine."
"Alright." I smiled. Before I left I ran up to Shane and hugged him tightly. He seemed to hesitate at first but then squeezed me back tightly. He gave me a small smirk before I turned and walked away. That bad feeling that had grown over the day was now gone. I knew Shane would at least try to get along with Rick for my sake. Maybe everything would be fine from now on?
