Alright guys here it is! I'm continuing Damaged People...but under another title Devil's Cry. I hope all of you will enjoy it as much as this first installment. There are going to be some changes when I start getting into season three. Let me know if there's something you'd like to see and I'll try to work it into the story.

Thanks again everyone!


Stefani was startled awake by the sound coming from somewhere within the house. She and Sophia had stopped running for the night. After leaving the group, Stefani knew that the most important thing for her to do was find somewhere safe for them to hole up for a few nights while she came up with a plan. Her eyes fell on the small blonde wrapped up on the dusty couch in the corner. Pulling out the knife on her thigh, she moved through the house towards the sound. She hoped that it was only a small animal looking for warmth or shelter, one that could possibly turn into a decent breakfast.

Turning a corner in the kitchen, she nearly screamed when she was twisted into a body. A hand clamped over her mouth and the other held her against a solid chest. Taking in a deep breath, Stefani began to relax. She'd know that woodsy smell anywhere. Tears began to well in her eyes as she tilted her head to come face to face with clear blue eyes.

"Jesus, Daryl. What the fuck are you doing here?" She whispered harshly at him as she pushed out of his hold.

"What do you think I'm doing here? You run off and think I'm just gonna sit on my ass while you and that little girl run around without protection." He moved closer, his whispers sharp like knives.

"I needed to get away. Daryl, I told you I don't trust him. You said it yourself that the group is broken and I'm not gonna sit around and wait for the rest of us to die."

"That ain't gonna happen. I won't let it." He told her, wrapping a large hand around the side of her neck.

"Stefani?" Sophia called out from the doorway.

"Everything's okay, Sophie." The older brunette said as she gave the girl a small smile.

"Are we going home?" She asked as she eyed Daryl, not keeping her hope hidden.

"Go get some sleep. We'll talk about it in the morning." Daryl told her as he let go of Stefani. He watched the girl go back to the couch and wrap herself securely in the blankets before turning back to Stefani.

"You're coming home." He told her forcefully.

"Yeah," she hissed out a laugh as her eyes rolled. "You gonna make me Dixon?"

"Do you really want to find out?" He began to move towards her again.

"Why don't you stay? Leave with us, I should've asked you in the first place." Her hands went to either side of his face, fingers slipping into his hair.

"I can't leave them," he said quietly as she pulled away from him. "Stefani, they're you're family, friends."

"And what are they to you? Half the time I think you'd like it better on your own, but then you do a 180 and have this need to protect them. What about me?"

"Don't do that, princess. That selfish shit won't help nobody." He walked towards her, backing her into the counter. "I want you to come home because with more people, even the sorry little group we got, you're safer."

"It was stupid to leave and I know you're pissed, but know that I'm doing this for you. It kills me when we're apart, Daryl."

"Then stop leaving." He said taking her hips in his hands.

"Last time, I promise. No more running away, not without you." Stefani gave him a small smile before leaning in and pressing her lips to his.

She'd only meant it to be a small reassurance of affection, after all Sophia was in the next room, but Daryl's grip on her hips tightened as she carefully pushed her back against the counter. Her hands in his hair, Stefani worked her fingers against his scalp. She felt Daryl's hands move around her hips, gripping her ass and lifting her onto the countertop. A small gasp escaped her lips but was quickly silenced as his tongue slipped against hers.

Stefani pulled him closer, the kiss taking on a bruising affect. Her legs lifted and wrapped around his waist. It had been too long since they were together like this. She knew that it was mostly her fault, wanting to take it easy after losing the baby, but the need to be close to Daryl was overwhelming. Her hands traveled from his head down his chest, popping buttons on her way. She felt her stomach clench as his fingers slipped beneath her shirt and worked the fabric up.

She balanced on the edge of the counter. Her legs were digging into his back, pressing him closer to where she needed him most. He pulled her head back, fingers twisting in her messy hair as he attached his mouth to her neck. Her hands worked their way over his chest, leaving slight pink marks where her nails dug in. A smile crossed her lips as she felt him buck into her slightly when her hands found his belt.

"You sure," he asked against her ear.

"Do you really want me to question this right now?" She sighed, slipping her hand into his loosened pants.

He kissed her hard to stifle a moan as her hand wrapped around his hardening member. As his hands moved back to her waist, he fumbled with her jeans as she began to pump up and down. She lifted her hips to help him slide the fabric down her legs. It was quick, and the moment he was inside her it felt like the first time all over again. Their movements were frantic and Stefani had a hand in his hair again, pressing him harder against her shoulder to muffle any sound. Normally it would've hurt, but all she could think about was the building wave of pleasure running through her. The grip Daryl had on her hips was bruising, but she knew the heels she was digging into his back were no better. She knew she was reaching her peak, and he wasn't too far behind as the thrusts came deeper and more frequent.

Stefani bit down on his shoulder as she felt herself clench around him. He lifted her off the counter as he moved into her a few more times before carefully lowering them onto the floor, turning so that his back was against the cabinets. She took a moment to catch her breath, laying her head on top of his. Daryl kept his arms wrapped around her as he placed soft kisses over the bite marks. She sighed, pulling away so she could fix her clothes.

"Where are the others?" She whispered as she finished buttoning up her jeans.

"A few miles away, there's a housing community that hasn't been picked through too bad." He said as she finally stood up. "It'll take about an hour or two to get back. They think I'm out hunting."

"He's gonna be pissed when we get back." Stefani sighed as she ran hand through her disgusting hair.

"Don't worry about Rick. They'll just be glad you're both back."

"Come on, let's get some rest before the suns up. We'll leave at first light, maybe get there before the others are up." Stefani took his hand and moved back into the living room to sit on the sleeping bag she had laid out. She knew Daryl wasn't going to sleep, but he laid with her anyway. It was comforting to have him there, finally allowing her to feel safe.

Sophia was up and packing their things before Stefani was awake. Daryl stayed on the floor, watching the girl move around the house. It had only been a few days, but it seemed as though she'd aged years. Once the two bags were filled and placed by the back door, she came back in with a bottle of water and a protein bar. With a small smile she placed them next to Daryl and curled back on the couch.

"Things are going to be different when we get back, aren't they?" Sophia whispered. "Will Rick be mad?"

"No one's mad. It's safer together, you remember that, Sophie. With winter coming, the best chance we have is with a group." He said as he glanced up at her.

"I miss Carl, Beth, everyone. Stefani's upset about Shane and I know that she's mad at Rick, but is he really as dangerous as she says? He wouldn't hurt us."

"Nothing's gonna happen to you. I ain't gonna let it." At his admission, Stefani stirred and turned into his chest.

"She hasn't slept since we left." Sophia said.

Daryl sighed, carefully moving away from her. He nodded, pulling Sophia's attention to the back door. They headed outside, taking the bags with them. He used a plank to put his motorcycle in the truck bed before moving back into the house. Stefani was still fast asleep as he lifted her into his arms and moved back to the truck. Sophia had opened the doors and helped Daryl place her on the bench.

"You can sleep too, it'll be a few hours before we get there." Daryl said as he started the engine.

Sophia curled up against the window, balling up a jacket to use as a pillow. Daryl moved his arm to rest on the back of the seat, pulling Stefani against him. For once he liked the quiet. He could see the appeal of the open road and only having the ones that really mattered with him. There were a few times when he'd purposely taken a longer route just to prolong the serenity that seemed to fall over the vehicle. It was nearly noon when Stefani woke, Sophia following shortly after. They played car games, like eye spy, and sang popular songs they could almost remember from heart.

It was almost painful when they pulled into the housing development where the rest of the group was set up. Stefani had shut down, barely registering that Daryl had taken her hand in his until he was pulling her out of the car. Sophia was already running up the steps, smiling as she was greeted by the others. Stefani froze when her eyes connected with Rick's. Neither moved, but Daryl dropped her hand and took a few steps towards their leader.

"Found 'em a town over." Daryl started, worried when Rick didn't leave Stefani's gaze.

"Let me talk to her, we'll be in soon." Rick said as he moved towards the woman. Stefani didn't notice when Daryl walked away, but she was all too aware of the close proximity of Rick.

"If you wanna hear an apology, you'll die waiting." She spoke shortly, trying to keep her temper under control.

"You're upset. I can understand that."

"Understand?" Stefani asked, stopping whatever speech he'd prepared. "You have no idea what it's like. I'm not upset, I'm pissed the fuck off. Someone I loved, someone I thought cared about me killed my brother, the only blood I had left in the world. You had no right to take that from me."

"He was out of control, Stefani. He was a threat to the group."

"Then you talk to me, Rick. What happened to we don't kill the living? You were protecting the group, but that didn't mean you had to kill him." She moved around him, slowly making her way towards the house. As an afterthought she stopped and turned to him. "I came back because I love Daryl, and for some reason only God knows he's loyal to you. But I don't trust you anymore." She began moving again, only this time it was his voice that stopped her.

"Stefani, I don't care if you trust me. But this is my group, I expect you to follow my lead."

Stefani left him standing there, heading into the house and greeting the group. She fell beside Daryl, relaxing against his side as she felt her eyes begin to droop again. Exhaustion was taking over. She hadn't realized just how tired she'd been. Her eyes glanced over Sophia as she talked with Carl and Beth, before smiling up at the man beside her.

"Everything alright?" He asked as he ran his hand through her hair as she shifted closer.

"I don't know."


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