Holy crap I just realized not only is Sweet Hereafter in Alexandria, now Saving Valentine is. Hopefully I don't get myself confused, lol. Thanks for reading and reviewing! I can't believe the great responses I have from my fics. It really helps me stay motivated. I appreciate every review that comes in and I apologize if I don't reply to everyone.
I don't own the Walking Dead etc etc (I wish). The OC and non-canon storylines are mine and are created for shits and giggles.
ENJOY!
Valentine stood in the study of the large home, the leader of Alexandria watching her scan the book spines of her personal library. The safe zone was a small residential area circled in very tall steel fencing. They had all the modern conveniences of the old world. The homes were well-endowed with top of the line appliances and granite counter tops. The crown molding had crown molding and the furnishings were out of design magazines. It was like stepping into another universe where the dead did not walk.
From the short jaunt into the center of the community she had seen a few dozen homes as well as townhouses. There was even a small park area complete with gazebos and ponds. The community had obviously hit it rich with their solar powered homes and water cistern.
Valentine's eyes traced the walls, which were lined with black and white photography of architecture and oil paintings of sailboats. Resting a hand on her machete hilt lazily, Valentine took in every movement Deanna made out of the corner of her eye. She didn't think she was in any danger but she wanted the older woman to know she very much was. There wasn't anything that would or could stop Valentine if she wanted to kill Deanna, hell she felt she could clear the whole town singlehandedly of all the existing residents if desired.
They were weak, it was clear as day and it should have comforted Valentine since it meant they weren't a threat but it only concerned her. If they were going to make the place a home, they needed to be in control because the current residents weren't going to survive. It was an absolute shock that they had lasted as long as they had being as naïve as they were.
"What did you do before all this Valentine?" Deanna asked after a long tense silence. Cocking her head to the side, Valentine slid her pitch colored eyes to the older woman. She was in her late fifties, her chin length brown hair clean and curled. Valentine could tell Deanna was from a political background, an air of diplomacy hung off her stiff shoulders like a bad blazer. Her crystal blue eyes were analytical but not judgmental and lips pinched in thought.
"Why does it matter?" Valentine finally replied.
"It helps us place people in jobs here in town. Everyone has a position here. Everyone chips in." Deanna explained, her lips curling but her cheek twitching under the younger woman's feral gaze.
Rolling her shoulders to loosen up the tight rubber band that was pulling between them, Valentine paced the room a few times, her eyes skipping over maps and blueprints. Cataloging what she saw, Valentine noticed they were expanding, or at least planning to expand and that they kept detailed supply run maps. It didn't look like they had strayed towards Sanctuary yet, the large radius around it still without markings. She focused on the boundaries they did have drawn and a particular area that was crossed out in red.
'Enemy territory,' she guessed inwardly while trailing her attention back to the woman watching her snoop.
"Before doesn't matter anymore. I should be placed on supply runs and security." Valentine told her while wandering back to the chair placed in front of the camera. Perching on the edge of the seat she looked up at the woman waiting for her next inquiry. Deanna pursed her lips and asked, "Is that what you enjoy?"
"It's what I'm good at."
Looking at her with thoughtful eyes Deanna countered, "What do you enjoy?"
Valentine furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, the question seeming foreign. "I'm not sure what you mean. There really isn't time to enjoy much anymore."
"Sure there is." She offered, her eyebrows raised as she leaned her elbows on her knees. Valentine shifted to face her head on, the curl of her lip more menacing than polite, "I suppose I enjoy not being murdered and eaten alive."
Deanna grinned, her eyes bright, "I like you Valentine. You don't hold back."
"It's not a trait most find endearing." Valentine commented, leaning back in her chair.
Deanna spoke, standing to look out the window at the group loitering in her yard. "I want to build something here. A community. In order to do that we need strong people and the only way I can find out if someone fits the bill is to ask questions and get truthful answers. That's why I like you."
Rolling her eyes Valentine found herself fidgeting as she became aware of the camera recording her. She hadn't seen a picture of herself since before the turn, let alone a video. Valentine couldn't imagine if she saw a side by side comparison of the old her and the new. There was no way she looked anything like before, scars aside she had to look a few decades older.
"Can I ask about you scars?" Deanna inquired as if reading Valentine's self conscious thoughts.
"Which ones?" She replied dryly, stuffing down the anxiety that had been filling her.
"Well I guess the visible ones, your neck and arms for instance?" The older woman suggested, her head cocked to the side as her eyes seemed to trace every line marring Valentine.
Chewing her cheek she realized she hadn't told anyone really what happened to her. Her family all knew already or were told by the others. Valentine had never said the words out loud, "A man tried to kill me. To uh.. behead me, I guess you could say."
"I'm so sorry." Deanna apologized, her eyes sympathetic not pitying.
"You didn't do it."
"I'm still sorry that it happened. Did he do the others?"
Shifting under the woman's observant eyes Valentine shook her head, "no."
She wasn't ready for that can of worms to open up. The ropy marks that cut through her forearms and crisscrossed her hands and knuckles were from the fighting ring, most being defensive claw marks, knife wounds and split knuckles.
Deanna nodded, her eyes clearly seeing the topic falling into the off limits column. "Well I'm happy you survived. I'm sure you're family is too."
Valentine smirked slightly thinking of Daryl instantly, the relief in his eyes when they came upon each other in the woods, the terror that still laced his relief.
"Yeah, yeah they were." She murmured, clearing her throat, feeling overwhelmed for an unknown reason. "Are we done here?"
"Yeah. For now. I'll speak to you again later when we assign jobs."
Valentine stood and exited the house quickly, the walls felt to close together and the woman's eyes to penetrating. It wasn't like dealing with Negan but the woman did have a way at looking at a person and seeing inside. It was disconcerting and probably what gave her the ability to run the town despite not having experience outside the walls.
Walking across the residential street, Valentine entered a similar model of home, the large wrap around porch something out of a magazine. There was still an American flag hung outside and the planters were filled with pastel petunias. This particular home was the medical center, the open floor plan allowing for several beds as well as equipment. The large kitchen island held medical supplies of every kind. The items were sitting out in the open as if they were nothing special nor a precious commodity. It gave Valentine a stutter in her step, the woman realizing that Alexandria hadn't suffered without basic needs before. They had experienced loss, Aaron and Eric had said as much but had they gone without food for days and days? Probably not. They'd never lost someone to a treatable illness or injury because they had the treatments sitting in their laps.
Valentine had seen someone die from a simple cut gone untreated. Sepsis, flus, dehydration. The woman had seen it all and would probably see it again in her lifetime, however short that may be. The fact that they didn't feel the need to lock up such sought after supplies was confounding.
Carl was sitting on a cot while a blonde woman with glasses checked over his hand. She was prodding it gently and maybe even a little nervously, her lips pursed and brows furrowed.
"Something wrong?" Valentine asked, her boots scuffing up the shiny wood floors. The woman jumped, her eyes getting wider with every step Valentine neared.
"N-no, no. Uh… H-he's good. It's good, I mean to say his hand is looking good." She rambled, her voice cracking. Carl look bemused, his blue eyes very much like his father's calculating ones. Valentine nodded, peering down at the healing flesh and asked, "did I sew it correctly? I was going off real world experience, not proper training."
"Oh! You did it, I see um yeah you did good. It's healing and you uh, left it room to stretch. It'll heal well that way. I'm going to leave the stitches in a couple days and get him on a round of antibiotics. He, um.. Sorry what was your name again?"
"Carl." The teen replied, "this is Val."
"Denise, I'm Denise. So yeah Carl I can give you some pain meds if it's needed but we conserve them if at all possible."
"I'm fine."
"Ok. Keep it clean and unwrapped. Let it breath."
Nodding along he smiled at Valentine and said, "See I told you, you didn't maim me."
Rolling her eyes Valentine muttered, "Shuddup."
Daryl stood on the porch, his shoulder resting against the post as he watched Valentine walk towards him. Her head was on a swivel, her eyes taking in every person looking their way. The large blades on her hips swayed with every step and her hands were never far from their grips. Chewing his lip while suppressing the urge to maul her as she approached, Daryl pulled out one of his last smokes. There was something about the way the curve of her hip flared out with every assured step that got his motor running. She moved with a feminine sway that had his heart thudding hard against his ribs.
'Damn woman's gonna kill me.' He scoffed, his eyes flitting down her lean form.
Cupping the flame, he took a deep drag off his cigarette. The burn bloomed in his chest and throat, his mind distracted by the buzzing nicotine. Valentine stepped up and raised an eyebrow silently asking him how he was doing.
"M'good." He grunted, ticking his chin to the house, "everybody's inside washin' up."
"Damn, a shower sounds good." She grinned, her hand curling into his shirt and vest. Daryl's breath caught in his throat as she peered up at him with those deep eyes. Pulling him closer she murmured, "maybe we can check out these showers when everybody's done."
Making a sound in the back of his throat, his dick twitched at the idea of her naked, willing and really fucking wet. Daryl gave her a crooked grin, his chin dipping, "ya think ya can be quiet?"
"Hell no." She quipped, hopping up on the porch railing next to him, her feet kicking back and forth. "That gonna stop you?"
Smirking Daryl stepped in between her legs, grinding the cigarette out on the railing. Letting his hands rest beside her thighs, he brushed her hips with his thumbs slowly.
"Hell no." he grunted, his mouth resting next to her ear, their temples resting against each other.
Valentine laughed breathily in his ear as she pulled back to look up at him from under her lashes. 'Fuck she's damn beautiful.' He thought, the words so close to the tip of his tongue but swallowed down as Glenn joined them on the porch.
"Rick's lookin' for you Daryl." Glenn commented while sitting down on a wood bench lining the porch. Daryl stayed where he was, Valentine clutching his vest as if requesting him to stay. Chewing his lip he asked, "why?"
"Didn't say but looked serious."
"Ooooh you're in trouble." Valentine teased with a slow grin, her finger poking him in the stomach. Rolling his eyes he muttered under his breath, "Show ya trouble later."
Throwing her head back, Valentine laughed loudly her eyes gleaming. "Promises, promises."
The people of Alexandria were definitely spooked by her; their wide eyes following her every step. Valentine couldn't help the smirk that curled her lip at the worried gazes. It had been a long time since she had stepped inside a community, not since the prison and at that time she had been broken for lack of a better word. Now that she was less of a train wreck, Valentine began to enjoy the looks of worry and the feeling of strength. She knew without a doubt she was sitting at the top of the food chain in Alexandria. Her and most of her family were the apex animals of the community. It was relieving in many ways but also ignited the kindling of worry. If they were the strong ones, would the others just be dead weight? Did they just sign themselves up as guard dogs for a sheep pen in a valley of wolves? Valentine wasn't sure but what she did know was her group could keep the town, with or without the current residents. Alexandria was theirs now.
"Deanna says we will all be given jobs." Glenn remarked, jolting Valentine out of her scheming mind, "she's already mentioned supply team for me."
Nodding, Valentine glanced over to see where the conversation was going. Glenn hadn't spoken much to her but there hadn't been animosity for any of the words exchanged at the prison.
"I would like for you to be on my team." He completed his thought, his eyes firmly on hers. "I don't trust these people to have my back and… well you're someone I want to have with me when out in the thick of it."
Pursing her lips she peered over at him and shrugged her shoulders, "it's not my decision but I'll do what I can."
"Good. Thanks Val." Glenn sounded relieved, his eyes without the previous tension.
"No problem." She replied, searching for Daryl only to find him standing with Rick and Carol in the front yard. They seemed to be planning something so she left them to it, if it was something she needed to know both Rick and Daryl would inform her.
Wandering back inside she found Carl and Judith sitting in the living room with Beth. They had all showered, Judith was in an oversized kids t-shirt while Carl had a clean flannel on. Smiling at the toddler smacking two plastic bowls together while babbling Valentine sat in front of her.
"How's it goin' Judy?" Valentine asked with a grin, "You less stinky?"
"Bah!" she screeched with a partially gummy smile, a few baby teeth coming through finally. "Bah!"
Snorting Carl translated, "Yeah Jude you had a bath."
"Bah!" she screamed again with wide eyes, her hands clapping the plastic together. Smirking Valentine asked, "You two get something to eat?"
"Yeah." Beth replied, her hands braiding her hair into a manageable plait. "There's leftover stew in the kitchen and more clean towels upstairs."
Nodding Valentine murmured, "I'm gonna shower later. Food though… I can use some food."
Beth hopped up before Valentine could rise and headed inside the kitchen to grab it. Shaking her head Valentine hollered, "You didn't need to get it for me Beth."
"I know!" she shouted from the kitchen, her feet bringing her out moments later, "I like to be useful. Plus I can't get over the working faucets and refrigerator."
Laughing Valentine leaned against the couch, her legs outstretched and her eyes scanning the room they sat in. "Yeah these places are crazy."
"You ever live in something like this?" Beth asked, her hands going back to braiding her hair. Swallowing a mouthful of hot soup, Valentine shook her head, "Nah. We lived in military housing."
"You and your husband?" Beth asked, her voice softer knowing the subject was sensitive. Pursing her lips slightly, Valentine replied, "Yeah. Mostly it was just me and Michael, my son. Paul was away a lot, always on a tour or training. The houses were ok though. Small but enough for what we needed. Michael would've loved the secret attic space upstairs. He always wanted a tree fort."
Feeling eyes on her she looked up to see Daryl leaning on the doorway, his face blank but eyes soft. Chewing her lip she looked back down at Judith, her pudgy hands pulling at the rug below her while gurgling words that only made sense to her.
'We'll keep this place,' she thought inwardly, silently promising Judith she would have a safe place to grow up, a place where tree forts and wide roads to ride bikes on weren't fading memories of the good old days.
Her fingers were raking through Daryl's hair, fragrant shampoo scrubbing away dirt and oil. He knelt in front of Valentine, his forehead pressed into her stomach as she worked. Moaning into her wet skin, Daryl tipped his head up to watch her work, his chin propped between her breasts. A smile curled her lips as she looked down at his hooded gaze. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and Daryl felt like the luckiest bastard in the world that Valentine even allowed an old redneck like him to touch her.
"Feel good?" She asked, the warm water dripping off her spiral hair onto his face like rainwater. Nodding into her stomach Daryl murmured, "very." He had never had someone take care of him before. Not in the ways that Valentine could and did. Daryl hadn't ever wanted anyone to and now he couldn't imagine his life without her. He wasn't even sure if the life he had before the turn was real because it didn't seem possible that they hadn't known each other their whole lives.
"Good. Like takin' care of you." She whispered, her hands now rubbing and stroking his neck, shoulders and back. The shivers running through him having nothing to do with the rapidly cooling water.
"Too good for me darlin'." He rasped, his neck flushing in embarrassment, his eyes flitting away before returning.
"Well that's fucking nonsense." She snorted, "deserve more than ya got, Dumbass."
Laughing gruffly he swatted her ass playfully, "no need for mean names sweetheart."
Smirking at him she leaned down, her soft lips fitting to his like they were made for them.
"M'sorry baby," she murmured, her tongue sealing the apology as she dove into his moaning mouth.
Daryl climbed to his feet and corner her against the wall. "Lemme wash you."
"Alright." She murmured with a smile, handing him the wash cloth.
He worked slowly, his hands traveling over every inch of her. The gentle curve of her breast and the dip of her waist caused his breath to hitch. The soap travelled down her body and the warm water pinked her skin. When it came to washing her back he paused his movements, his large hands cupping her ribs. There had only been a couple times that Daryl had seen her bare back and even fewer still that he was able to touch it.
"Can I?" He rasped his eyes flicking over her shoulder. The woman stayed frozen for a heart beat before she turned around to face the wall.
The water rivulets were following the curves carved into her pale back. The tissue looked as if some of the shallower ones were fading to a light pink. The majority though we're still deep and red as if brand new.
He watched as her shoulders rolled forward, her frame visibly trembling at the anxiety of waiting for him to touch her. The incredibly strong woman turning into a cowering figure tore his heart to pieces.
Instead of using the wash cloth, Daryl poured body wash into his palm and began rubbing her shoulders, spine and ribs. He did this clinically, his touch gentle but firm and without lingering to long on certain parts. He knew what it was like to have someone focusing on such a private pain and felt that if he pretended to be unaffected that she would eventually relax.
Daryl found himself blink through tears as the intensity of seeing her past injuries overwhelmed him. He could see her muscles twitch and tick at the new sensations. The damaged nerves across her back flaring at the foreign attention.
"Ya a'right?" He whispered as his hand travelled lower, rough fingers rubbing ribs and hips.
Clearing her throat roughly, Valentine choked out, "yeah."
"Sure?" Daryl drawled, his hands reaching her ass. He couldn't help but grin as his hands slid along the soft skin, his fingers kneading and rubbing gently. A moan echoed in the tiny room as she peeked over her shoulder, wet hair plastered to her forehead.
"I'm real good." She replied her pupils blown and mouth full of whimpers. "Fuck. I need.."
"Whatcha ya need sweetheart?" He asked, his mouth attaching to her curved shoulder. Leaving open mouthed kisses along the cord of muscles lining her petite frame, Daryl watched as she hung her head and moaned louder.
"Touch me." She gasped, her fingers curling into the tile wall.
"We gotta get out of the water. C'mere." Daryl turned the faucet off and grabbed a couple towels. They both dried off, eyes watching the other as they worked. Backing her up to the sink, Daryl gripped her narrow waist and lifted her onto the bathroom counter. Valentine cocked an eyebrow and whispered, "what are you doing?"
"Nothin' ya won't enjoy." He replied with a shy grin, dropping back to his knees in front of her. Looking up at her while he spread her thighs, Daryl hands slid along the soft skin. "Wanna taste ya."
Valentine eyes were wide and mouth open as she panted hard. Daryl could see her pulse thrumming a rapid beat on her neck and her eyes became darker with every second. Taking one leg, he slung it over his shoulder while kissing the inside of her thigh. His teeth nipped and licked a slow path upwards until he reached the wet center between her legs.
Glancing up, his eyes begging for permission, Daryl murmured, "Can I?"
"Please." She gasped, her fingers curling around the counter's edge with white knuckles. "Fuck please Dare."
Keeping eye contact with her, Daryl leaned forward to trace a gentle path along the whole length of her wet lips. His tongue dipping in between before circling her clit. The woman bit her lip so hard to contain her moans that Daryl could see a hint of blood on her teeth. Working smoothly and thoroughly, Daryl dove into her soft skin and heady scent. He couldn't help the groans and growls he emitted as her taste flooded his mouth. She was clean from her shower but her natural scent and taste had him practically drooling down his chest.
Valentine's thighs spread further and her hand sunk into his hair as he worked her up into a frantic mess. His eyes slid up her flushed chest as he watched the woman he loved become undone. Slipping two fingers inside her while sucking a delicious rhythm on her clit, Daryl felt her walls flutter.
"Yeah." He moaned against her skin, his mouth leaving goosebumps along her inner highs. "Gonna cum for me sweetheart?" His fingers were still pumping as his hot breathe hit her pussy. Valentine's lip was pinned between her teeth as she nodded, her hooded gaze causing something deep inside him to catch fire.
Daryl hadn't thought it was possible to want to please someone so much. All his other experiences had been solely to get himself off. There had been little effort to please his partners before, not that there were many but the few that there were hadn't received that kind of attention. Valentine though was all he could ever want or need and thought of turning her into a pleasure filled mess had him doubling his efforts. Foregoing his need to breath Daryl dove in deeper and harder.
Returning to her clit, he circled it while flicking the hard nub with his curled tongue. The rolling of her hips and the painful grip she had on his hair telling him she was close. Placing his mouth over her, he suck hard and fast. The motion causing a chain reaction of rapid movements. Valentine's hips snapped forward, her pelvis grinding into his mouth while one hand fisted his hair painfully. Her second hand smacked flat against the mirror loudly as she lost control of her body. Both legs wound around his shoulders, pinning him between her thighs as she rode out an intense orgasm.
Daryl growled into her slick throbbing folds, his tongue slowly passing along the sensitive flesh. Valentine's lungs sucked in gasps of air as she blinked away the overwhelming pleasure.
"Jesus." She panted, her fingers slowly releasing his hair only to rake through the wet locks, massaging the tender scalp she had pulled. Daryl stayed where he was, his mouth kissing and licking her thighs and stomach as her legs slid from his shoulders like dead weight. He chuckled as she almost fell from the counter, her body limp and loose.
"Mmmm." He grunted, climbing to his feet to kiss her mouth and neck. "Like that?"
"Fuck yes." She panted, a slightly hysterical giggle hitting his ears.
"Me too." He moaned, his fingers stroking the wetness still flooding her core. She was twitching with sensitivity but allowed him to explore. "Never done that." He confessed, his eyes refusing to make contact with her's as he stroked her soft skin.
"Jesus? Seriously?" She asked with a furrowed brow. Daryl couldn't help the spike of defensiveness from making its way out. "What? Gonna make fun of me?"
"No. I was shocked because of how fucking good you are." She explained with a grin, "can't wait to see what happens when you master it. Christ I might never let you leave."
Daryl's lip twitched as he tried to smother the cocky grin but ended up failing. He smiled down at her, his mouth kissing her gently and thoroughly.
"Liked doin' it. Like makin' ya squirm."
"Well. Whenever you'd like, have at it." She replied with a smirk, her fingers stroking his ribs and chest.
A loud knock on the door had both of the jumping. "Hey, some of us would like to use the bathroom some time tonight." Abrahams loud voice echoed out.
"Fuck off." They both shouted in unison, before cracking up. Daryl pressed his forehead against hers and he murmured, "love you sweetheart."
"Mmm. Love you too Dare."
"I got a look at their maps and blue prints," Valentine told the group who were all camping out inside one of the homes the town had assigned to them. Most were stretched out on the floor laying on their worn bedrolls, a few had brought down comforters to padded their sleeping areas. Rick stood to the side, Judith propped on his forearm, her hands gripping his shirt while babbling.
"Anything worthwhile?" Rick asked wandering over to wear she sat with Daryl.
"Well they are expanding or planning too. The designs were drawn up and there were lists of needed supplies." She replied, stretching her legs out as she leaned into Daryl's leg behind her, his wide frame propped in the windowsill.
"And the maps?"
"They keep track of their run areas. Looked organized and well detailed. They haven't strayed close to Sanctuary yet." She explained, her eyes landing on Rick's as she spoke of the old haunt.
"Sanctuary?" Abraham asked from his seat on the staircase. Valentine rolled her shoulders feeling uncomfortable but answered the question nonetheless, "A place we should avoid at all costs."
"Anything else?" Rick changed the subject as he paced with a fussy Judith.
"There was an area in red. My guess is enemy territory but it could be an area with lots of walker activity."
"Where was it at?" Daryl asked behind her, his lip chewed between his teeth. She could tell he was as anxious as she was to know exactly what the group was hiding. No one had mentioned any issues with volatile neighbors but she wouldn't expect them too. If there were an enemy group nearby, Rick and his family would most likely be Alexandria's answer to it. It could be the very reason Aaron and Eric brought them back.
"East of here about fifteen miles." She replied, looking up at him from the ground, "You in?"
Nodding he rasped, "Leave at sun up."
Rick cocked an eyebrow and drawled, "Oh don't bother including me in your decisions."
"Shuddup Grimes." She snarked with a grin, "Who needs you anyways?"
Rick chuckled while shaking his head he instructed, "Take a couple more people with ya, a'right?"
Valentine rolled her eyes and glanced up at Daryl who shrugged, "Don' need 'em but a'right. Take a couple."
"I'll go." Sasha announced, her brow furrowed and mouth scowled. Valentine raised an eyebrow and looked over at Rick who seemed to hesitant at her offer. She had been emotionally cut off ever since losing Bob but even more so now that Tyreese was gone. Sasha wasn't anywhere near stable which Valentine understood more than most. She could tell Rick wanted to deny the woman but was struggling to do it without drama.
"Sash." He began, his eyes flicking around the room for help.
"I'm fine." she snapped, her eyes narrowed into a challenging glare. Valentine cleared her throat and chimed in, "That's one, who else?"
Rick stared at her for a long moment before nodding with acceptance, he trusted her judgement to take the woman along. The next person to speak up was Abraham who joked that he was already bored inside the walls so 'Why the fuck not?'
"Good." Rick drawled, rubbing his freshly shaven jaw self-consciously. "Now that's settled let's all get some rest. Tomorrow I'll ask Deanna about the red zones and when y'all get back we'll compare. See how honest these folks really are."
Thanks for reading and please review!