The sun had set and the sounds of nature orchestrated from the trees. Daryl kissed the top of Kate's head and she sat up from his shoulder, her eyes sparkling as a smile spread across her face. He'd looked at her countless times but she always took his breath away. He was so lucky to have such a beautiful woman sitting with him like this. He stroked his fingers through her hair and felt his heart swell.

"We should go make dinner," Kate said interrupting his train of thought and Daryl swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He grabbed his boots and stood up before holding his hand out to pull Kate to her feet. He kissed her delicate hand and held onto it tightly as they walked barefoot back to the lake house.

He closed the door of the cabin and he still couldn't believe his good fortune in not only finding this place but having Kate here with him. She was so different to any woman he'd ever met; she didn't make him feel awkward or weird. It was fun and easy to talk to her and he especially loved to tease her. There was nothing better than making her blush and bite that damn lip, when he could do that it got a fuzzy feeling in his stomach.

Daryl had found an oil filled lamp which he lit and set on the kitchen counter. Then he began to gut and fillet the fish while he watched Kate slide off her sword belt and untuck her shirt from her trousers. She seemed so relaxed and as she ran her hand through her long hair pushing it off her face he decided she looked sexy as hell. He liked her like this, buttoned down and tousled. This is how he imagined she might have looked after a normal days work, before the end of the world.

Her bare feet padded across the room where she crouched besides the bookshelf and began to examine all the objects with childlike curiosity. Every so often Kate would look at him with a small smile and his heart would miss a beat. He never knew that another person could actually make you feel like this.

As he fried the fish like a domestic god he laughed at himself for letting Kate get away with not cooking. The woman had him wrapped around her little finger already. "Ya still owe me for losin' the bet…" he called to her to try and reassert some sort of authority.

"Owe you what?" she smirked.

"Ain't decided," his eyes gave her a once over before he served dinner on some dishes he had found. In his search of the kitchen cupboard he'd also located a box of crackers that were only slightly stale so this was going to be quite the feast.

Daryl threw a cushion on the floor and stretched out on his side by the fire with his plate of food and Kate sat cross legged besides him with her plate tucked neatly in her lap. He watched entranced at the delicate way she held her fork.

"Mmm this is delicious… catching, killing, cooking… is there anything you can't do Mr Dixon or shall I call you superman?" Kate teased him affectionately and he felt himself flush red at her easy praise. "You'd be a far better teacher than me at our new school," she concluded.

"Nah… I like showin' you, yer easy to teach…"

They finished eating and Kate set her plate on top of Daryl's and he nudged them to the side. He had a sudden realisation that he had run out of plans for what they should do next and looked around the room desperately for inspiration but all his mind could think about was kissing her perfect lips and making love to her.

He sat up and threw the last remaining log on the fire before looking back at Kate. She was biting her lip and sitting perfectly still like she was a doll. But the dramatic pace of her breathing betrayed her serene exterior and he could see her big brown eyes watching his every move. Her hand reached for the plates and she scooped them up before hurrying to the kitchen.

Kate placed the plates on the counter. There was no running water to wash them with and no real reason for her to remain in the kitchen except for the fact that when she glanced at Daryl lay across the floor in front of the fire like some kind of sex god Casanova she had a panic attack. Maybe I should suggest a nice long game of chess, she thought anxiously as she walked back into the living area.

To calm herself down she began to inspect the wall of photos which she had only given a cursory glance to when they had arrived. He joined her and offered her a glass of water, it hadn't escaped her notice that he had stowed the rum away which was probably for the best given her perchance for overindulgence. "Ya okay?" he asked.

Kate ran her fingers over his as she took the glass and she was far from okay. She was nearing a precipice and felt like there would be no way to go back once she had allowed herself to fall and she hated losing control no matter how much she wanted to.

She looked at the photos of Mr and Mrs no name on the wall. Mr no name had served in the army during what Kate surmised was world war two. He was wearing his dress uniform in the wedding photo and she had counted what looked like five children and 16 grandchildren. What a bloody handful she determined but at the same time she saw two people that were madly in love and had led a full and happy life. "Do you ever stand in a place and wonder who's stood there before?"

"Like… trackin' people?"

Kate snorted, the last thing she could do was track people. "There was this tiny castle I used to visit with Harry… Peveril Castle. It was built just after the Norman conquest… 1066, a very important year in British history," she laughed and wondered why on earth she was giving him a history lesson. "Well… when you walk up the steps you can see a slight dip in the stone from where a thousand feet have fallen and we would stand in the keep and wonder… what were they thinking?" she gave a sidelong glance to her favourite redneck. "Probably the same things we are… some things never change." What she thought and felt when she was with him was as irrepressible as it was timeless.

"What are ya thinkin'?" he leaned against the back of the couch.

Daryl's direct question caught her off guard and she glanced around the room until her eyes rested once again on the photos of Mr and Mrs no name. "I…"

A noise from outside caught both of their attention and Daryl strode to the kitchen window before peering through the blinds. "Coupla geeks…" he gave her a lopsided smile before picking up her sword from its resting place against the wall. Daryl tested the weight of the blade in his hand and studied it before asking, "may I?"

"What's mine is yours Mr Dixon…"

Daryl gave her a once over that made her blush before he opened the door. Kate stood in the doorway and watched him take out what turned out to be three walkers. She'd be remiss to admit that he didn't look downright sexy as he wielded her blade like some sort of medieval knight. Then he turned to look at her in that intense way that made her feel as though she was naked. Daryl Dixon was so manly that he could make her feel every bit the fainting fair maiden which was a rare thing for Kate when she tried so hard to be strong.

"We should let the fire die down," he rasped as he poked the wood around the hearth. Then he turned down the oil lamp and Kate sat on the rug enjoying the last bit of heat from the flames, roving her eyes over every movement he made and feeling lightheaded.

Daryl sat next to Kate and put his hand on her thigh "we don't have to do anythin'…" He'd been waiting for someone like her his whole life, he was almost certain he could hold out a little longer. Although as his eyes surveyed her body for the hundredth time he wasn't sure exactly how much longer until he died of frustration.

"I know…" she placed her hand on his thigh and turned to face him, the light from the fire danced on her face and she glowed. He looked at her hand sitting on his thigh her fingers all but touching the part of him that was rushing with blood. He swallowed hard and she whispered "I can think of little else to do… little else I'd want to do…" Kate's eyes simmered wickedly as she gazed at him and his heart stopped beating.

She moved slowly towards him and climbed onto his lap, wrapping her legs around his waist. His breathing was ragged as she sat herself atop the strain in his jeans. Kate smiled with her big brown eyes as she bit her bottom lip then brushed his hair from his face and spoke softly as she asked, "what have you done to me Daryl Dixon?"

"Ain't done nothin' you ain't done to me darlin'…" he managed as he tried to think of anything but Kate's body pressing against his.

Daryl took the stray strand of hair falling across her face and tucked it behind her ear as he leant in for a soft kiss. The silence filled the room between the pop and crackle of the fire and he felt as though he could hear their hearts beating in tune. They could be the only two people left on this planet when they were together like this. Daryl's hands slid down the curve of her back and his eyes held her gaze as he whispered almost inaudibly, "you've made me fall in love with ya."

"What?" she let out a sharp breath and her big brown eyes widened.

He laughed nervously and started to wonder why the hell he had just said that when they were stuck together in the middle of nowhere? But what was done was done, "I said I love ya…"

"Daryl I…" Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and her eyes darted wildly from him and then to anything but him. Shit, he started to get a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and closed his eyes not wanting to see her rejection. Before deciding he had to see it and looking at her.

"Spit it out woman," he almost begged, how long had it been? The wait for her answer felt like a million years although it must have only been seconds that had passed.

Kate's mind raced as she tried to process what he had just said. She honestly hadn't thought he would be the kind of man to say that sort of thing and she felt like she had been sucker punched. Oh bloody hell, this was serious shit.

She peered over his shoulder at Mr and Mrs no name; they had a happy life despite a war. Then she looked back at Daryl. He made her happy, he made her feel alive and no matter what happened it was worth anything to be loved by him and to be with him even if it was only for tonight, or tomorrow or the rest of their lives. A realisation dawned on her and she ran her hand along his face. Her breathing was unsteady and she could barely form the words that had been foreign to her mouth for so long, "I love you too."

A smile threatened his lips but he gave her a stern expression as he held her shoulders in his hands, "ya sure?"

"Yes" she gasped breathlessly. "I love you Mr Dixon."

Daryl's heart missed several beats as he savoured her words and they held each other at arm's length, neither daring to move as the gravity of what they had just spoken fully soaked in. Holy fucking shit, his palms were sweaty with nerves as he realised that all the red hot tension between them was going be released and she fucking loved him. Shit, holy shit. He was the luckiest redneck alive.

He ran his shaky hands down her arms and Kate gradually leaned into him placing her soft lips on his. The sweet vanilla smell of her hair swirled around his nose and he sighed as he breathed her in. The feel of her breast pressed against his chest made sure he was fully hard and he allowed himself to enjoy it rather than try to fight it. He ran his hands through her sweet smelling hair and held the back of her head to press her mouth on his even harder and more desperate. Goddamn, Daryl needed Kate more than he needed air.

He couldn't keep his greedy hands off her as she sat in his lap with her legs still wrapped tightly around him, every dip and curve of her body enticed his touch. His mouth found the places where her skin was exposed and he savoured her. He felt Kate opening the buttons of his shirt and she nipped and sucked at his neck and chest as she undressed him. His hard length was begging for her attention and he thrust himself against her as he squeezed her sweet ass.

Daryl thought about the big brass bed in the other room but couldn't bear the thought of being in total darkness as he touched her beautiful body, he wanted to be able to see and enjoy every inch of her naked skin.

"Daryl," she called his name breathlessly as she sat up from kissing his chest. "If we do this… I could… become…" even in the low light he could see the flush that spread across her cheeks and before she could finish her sentence he picked her up and lay her in front of the fire.

He knew what she was going to say but instead of frightening him it only made him more aroused. He kneeled between Kate's thighs and excitedly tore open her flimsy shirt. Kate gasped and the tiny clatter of buttons hitting the floor made him grin. "I know," he rasped as he kissed her taut stomach. Despite what he knew could happen Daryl wanted nothing more than to make love to her. Holy fuck he needed to be inside of her so bad but as he ran his hands over her waist he was mesmerized by the soft flatness of it and he found himself stuttering, "if ya don't wanna do this…"

Kate's chest was rising and falling quickly with frantic breaths as she sat up, she let her shirt fall away from her body before reaching around her back and unhooking her bra, the lace fell away and her eyes smouldered as she purred "I want this just as much as you do." Her words made him throb and he wanted to satisfy her, do whatever the hell the woman wanted, he would be her slave.

Daryl unfastened his belt slowly under her heavy gaze. Don't rush this, he told himself as he appreciated the way her breasts looked through the cascade of her hair. Jesus Christ, Kate was like a damn goddess, she might change her mind by tomorrow, he needed to enjoy every second of her now.

Daryl kicked off his jeans and then his pants until he was on his knees completely naked for her. She sat up on her elbows and her breath hitched at the sight of him. Wow, very nice Mr Dixon. How could any woman not love a man such as this? She was powerless to resist his redneck charms.

Kate spread her legs to allow Daryl to edge closer to her. His fingers grazed her waistband as he popped open the button with seductive slowness that made her tremble. He pulled off her trousers along with her knickers and she whimpered with nervous excitement as they became wonderfully naked together. There was no stopping it now, she'd rather die than stop him filling up the hollow space that was tingling urgently.

Daryl ran his calloused hands along the outside of her thighs, then along the side of her body until his hands were either side of her head and his body hovered over hers. Kate lifted her head to kiss him, her tongue entered his mouth and her body throbbed for a touch that only he could give. He kissed her neck then her collar bone and finally her breasts. She groaned in delight and his length pressed hard against her thigh reminding her of what was to come. Her body was alive with sensation, every kiss and touch setting her heart racing to an impossible rhythm.

Daryl's hand lightly swept down her waist and Kate let out a sharp laugh at the sensation before he teased his way between her legs and beyond testing her wetness. She groaned as he paved the way for his length and he could hardly wait another moment as his fingers helped him remember how good she felt, so incredibly soft, tight and wet. So very fucking wet, he groaned in anticipation. Her body trembled and she bit back a moan as he teased her like he knew she liked.

He felt Kate's soft hand wrap around his hard end and he thrust into in several times but it felt too good and he wanted the real thing before he came apart. He withdrew his fingers from Kate's tight space and deliberately placed them in his mouth with a roguish grin as he tasted her sex. She bit her lip and he could see the rosy glow flush her cheeks. Fuckin' hell woman, how could she be shy at a time like this?

Daryl ran his hands along her arms picking up her wrists before pinning them above her head. Goddamn, he loved to overpower this bossy woman. He kissed her neck and whispered down her ear, "ya ready darlin'?"

He took her happy sigh as a yes and in one swift movement he was inside her from base to tip. The heat of Kate's body against his set his heart alight with an even deeper longing than just a physical act. He wanted to be with her like this for the rest of his life.

Daryl's body trembled and he entwined one of his hands in hers before pulling it to his lips and kissing her there lovingly. She was so beautiful and he'd been yearning to feel her body wrapped around his for so long. To feel himself buried deep inside her was a sweet sanctuary that he wanted to experience again and again and again. The way her walls gripped him was like a slice of heaven and he bit back the urge to release his pleasure too soon. Slow down, he begged his eager body again.

Daryl's heart beat hard and fast as he ground against her kissing her collarbone and listening to her satisfied gasps. He slowed his pace as he found his climax at near breaking point and stroked his hand down her body grasping her ass and then along one silky soft leg. "I want to do this with you all night," he panted in her ear.

Kate thrust her hips to take more of him in "yes please Mr Dixon," she groaned before kissing him deeply as her nails scraped along his back with the thrilling feeling of pleasure and pain.

The way she said his name turned him on so fucking much and he sank into her hard and deep until neither of them could take any more. Kate's gasps became cries as she wrapped her legs tightly around him. She gripped his shoulder hard and he felt her body shudder as she called out something inaudible. Daryl's orgasm wasted no time in ripping through his body like a runaway train and he felt light headed as he collapsed onto Kate in complete rapture.

The feel of Daryl inside of her was like nothing else, he seemed to have filled every inch of empty space and hit the point deep within that had made her quiver uncontrollably. Her release had sent tingles along every nerve ending leaving her numb with pleasure.

Now as he lay on top of her, still inside, she felt herself fighting the sleepy feeling that intoxicated her limbs. Instead she wanted her favourite redneck to make good on his all night promise and teased him with "maybe one day we'll make it to a bed?"

Daryl sucked the nipple that was nearest to his face causing her to groan and her body became more alert as it prepared itself for round two. He stood up and scooped her into his strong arms, whispering "yes ma'am" as he carried her to the big brass bed.