I just wanted to reiterate how thankful I am to the readers of my fanfics! Its amazing to have an outlet for my random overactive imagination.

This Chapter has adult content 18+ older,

Possible trigger warning *assault, Non-graphic.

I don't own The Walking Dead, its characters or storylines. All OC, non canon story lines are mine. :)


Jack, Daryl and Jameson are sitting in the backyard around the fire pit. Everyone else has gone to bed and they are finishing up that last of the bottle of Jameson whiskey. Jack is telling Daryl about the time Jameson stole a car and ditched a police car chasing them.

"She is a good driver. It was like some movie chase scene." He says with a chuckle.

"Whatever, the cop couldn't drive worth shit. I didn't do anything besides take backroads and then hide out in the parking lot of a mall." Jameson says sipping her whiskey. Jack is one for exaggeration. His wild stories of times gone by reminds Daryl of shooting the shit with Merle back in the day. Long drawn out tales of being an outlaw bad ass that had a grain of truth and a heapful of bullshit.

"Nah you totally pulled some kinda Dukes of Hazzard shit. We went over this hill and seriously caught air." Jacks says gesturing with his hands. "Then she took turns going like 80, tires peeling and smokin'."

"Jack you're so full of shit." Jameson says with a sigh. Daryl smirks at Jameson's look of exasperation.

"You just don't remember cuz you were high." Jack exclaims, holding his glass while pointing at her, amber liquid spilling over the edge.

"You were drunk!" Jameson says while shaking her head, "Jesus we were terrible human beings."

Daryl laughs and shakes his head rasps, "Everybody's a fuck up in their teens."

"Not like us. Jesus." Jameson smirks and holds her cup out for more whiskey. Daryl smirks and says, "Getting lit tonight, darlin'?"

"Yes." She slurs and sighs. "I forgot to tell you about my day."

He raises an eyebrow and sips the liquid gold. "Go on."

"I had to deal with Derrick again, he was being sleezy with Sam." She says slouching in her lawn chair. Daryl narrows his eyes and leans forward, his elbows on his knees, "What he do?"

"Just flirting with her and being a perv. I spoke to him and Rick. Rick's gonna talk to him. I want you two to keep an eye on him and Sam. Rick's gonna start scheduling Sam and I together to keep her from being alone." She says picking at the holes in her jeans. Jack grunts and crosses his arms, "Fuckin feel bad I brought that bastard here. First he messes with you, now a kid… I'll kill him up if he tries shit with a little girl."

"Oh I've already promised him a slow death if he tries anything with her." She says while smirking. Daryl narrows his eyes, "Ya shouldna done that. He's gonna fuck with ya again."

"Well if he does, he's getting the sharp side of my blade. I'm not gonna let him fuck with her and get away with it." Jameson says stretching her legs out and crossing them at the ankles. Daryl bites his thumb and contemplates how he wants to deal with the problem. He was not going to let some dumbass mess with Jameson or Sam. He doesn't know Sam much but he knows Jameson sees the girl as family.

"I'll talk to Rick 'n see what he plans on doin'. " he says gulping the last of his whiskey. "Le's go. Got earlier rounds tomorrah."

Jameson sighs and stands up to stretch while groaning, "Thanks for the whiskey Jackie."

Jack grins widely, "No problem Jamsie. Might be the last bottle of Jameson we ever have."

Jameson pouts and grumbles under her breath. "Well that's fuckin' bullshit."


They wander separate ways since Jack has taken to sleeping with Carol next door. Jameson and Daryl pull off all their weapons and clothes, climbing into bed. Daryl watches in rapt attention while Jameson strips. His eyes taking in every inch of skin revealed. "So fuckin' sexy Jameson."

Jameson laughs and replies, "Ditto handsome."

He pulls her toward him and wraps an arm around her waist. Lower his mouth to her neck, his tongue tracing along the edge of her jaw. "Taste good sweetheart." He whispers his lips grazing her skin, making her shiver.

Jameson grips his arms as he strokes and kisses her. "Daryl," she moans when he grabs her ass, pulling her closer to him. He tastes like smooth whiskey and nicotine. His lips soft yet demanding.

"Yeah darlin'?" he drawls pulling the cup of her bra down and kneading her breast. "Goddamn I can never get enough of ya."

She smirks and pulls back, unclasping her bra and pushing her panties down before climbing into bed. "C'mere Dare."

Daryl's eyes darken as he takes in her colorful body splayed out for him. Daryl never gets used to how vivid her skin is once undressed. It makes him think of the metamorphosis of a butterfly. 'Pussy bitch,' Merle sneers inside making Daryl shakes his head to clear his thoughts.

He slides his boxers down and grips himself, stroking while lowering himself between her legs. Letting his hands trace up her soft thighs, dipping behind her knee to move her pliant body. Stretching out above Jameson and resting on his elbows he rasps, "You're so fuckin' beautiful you know that?"

No matter how many times he tells her she still blushes like some teenage girl. "Stop," she whispers looking away embarrassed.

He grips her chin gently, pulling her face back towards his. "Ya are." He drawls, kissing her slowly, his tongue stroking hers. They move together, their bodies grinding against each other "God Dare, please." She whimpers as he slides against her wet lips.

Daryl lifts up slightly to glide into her slow but deep. Groaning loudly Jameson arches off the bed, her body flushing with rolling heat. Every time he's inside her, Jameson feels overwhelmed in the most delicious of ways. Daryl looks down and sees her eyes dark and hooded. Moving slow but hard he feels the deep pull in his stomach tighten. The coil curling up as he thrusts inside his wife. His love. "God sweetheart. Love ya so much." He moans tucking his face into her neck his hand gripping her thigh, "So fuckin' much." Daryl realizes no matter how much time passes his love for her never lessens, his desire for her never weakens. It's almost overwhelming. The feeling of need and want.

Jameson moans as he rolls his hips hard and fast into her. "Dare, god… fuck yes." She tilts her hips up, the angle making her breath fast, "Love you. fuck. I… so close."

Daryl speeds up, his hips snapping against her open thighs. "That's darlin'. Let go. Cum for me sweetheart," His gravelly voice whispering against the curve of her neck, his teeth nipping her ear lobe.

Jameson arches off the bed again, her body taut like a bow string. The hot wet walls around him flexing and spasming. Jameson lets out a low moaning gasp as bright spots flash behind her eyelids. She digs her fingernails into Daryl's' biceps.

"Lookit me Jameson." Daryl growls as he feels his orgasm fast approaching. He wants to look in her deep green eyes as he cums inside her. Daryl could get lost inside her eyes forever. Those shamrock green irises vary for every one of her moods but are always vivid and beautiful.

The spike of pleasure shoots up his spine when her eyes slide open and burn into his own. "Cum for me Daryl." She whispers stretching up to kiss him gently, her mouth sucking his bottom lip. It makes his body snap, the tension breaking as his groans loudly. His hips thrust into her as his dark eyes scorch her, his teeth biting into his lip painful. Jameson feels his fingers gripping her hips tightly. "Oh god," he growls while rolling his hips, his cock throbbing inside her while she clenches around him. Nuzzling into her neck he licks the bead of sweat off her collarbone, his tongue dipping into the small divot. "So good baby," he rasps his voice hoarse. "So fuckin sweet."

Rolling over he watches her turn to her side, tucking her body into his. He strokes her back and pushes hair off her forehead, placing his lips against her temple. They lay silently, stroking and holding each other. Jameson shivers as his hands slide smoothly over her skin. Light fingertips grazing the scars on her back, soothing the permanently fire licked skin. Her past pain stretched over her tiny frame. The strokes of his large hands on the scarred tissue used to make her cringe. The fear of disgust or pity always on the edge of her mind. It took awhile to realize he wouldn't be providing either of those emotions. He looks at her as if she hung the moon. Not one of those scars marring her makes him think anything less of her.

Jameson is trailing her hands over his old life. The large welts that adorn his broad back ripple under her touch. She sees such strength in him when touching the knotted skin he is still ashamed of. Jameson curls into Daryl, her face nestled against his neck, her mouth slowly kissing the edge of his jaw. Daryl's hums in response and tightens his grip on her hip and shoulder. "You're all I need darlin'." He says his voice gravelly yet soft. Jameson smiles against his warm skin, tilting her head up to see his cerulean eyes. Daryl watches her soft lips curl and part slightly. He leans in, gently kisses her and feels her whisper against his lips, "You got me forever Dare. All yours."

His heart clenches at the thought, at the mere idea of being able to keep such a wonderful woman. "Sweetest girl I know." He mumbles against her cheek. Jameson laughs quietly and whispers, "Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold." Daryl snorts and squeezes her tightly, "I won' s'long as ya don't tell anyone how whooped I am." Jameson pulls back and smirks, "Secrets safe with me Sugarplum."

"Stop." He grunts, slapping her ass. Jameson giggles and quips, "If that's your mode of punishment you won't be teachin' me nothin'."


"I don't want ya to do night patrols." Daryl grumbles while playing with her hand. Jameson sighs and says, "Only a couple days. It'll be over before ya know it."

Daryl sighs loudly while pinching his lips together. Jameson chuckles at the grumpy redneck pouting. He tries to glare at her but it holds none of the normal fire. Pulling her into his arms he nuzzles into her hair and says, "Be safe." Jameson nods into his chest and squeezes her arms around his waist. "I'll only be inside and checking the wall posts but I promise."

After a few deep kisses Jameson makes her way to relieve the previous patroller. The town is keeping a vigilant security detail ever since the first invasion but since the failed armory raid and the run-ins with the Mad Max rejects they are tightening it even more. A couple guards on both gates, a tower spotter and wall patrols are done 24 hours a day. The wall patrollers not only check the walls integrity but also climb each wall lookout to scan the area for movement. During the day there is an extra layer of security with exterior patrol teams. So far no signs of the dangerous group is seen near Alexandria or the nearest outlining towns they scavenge.

Jameson starts her walk by checking in with not only the guards on the gates but also the tower spotter. Both teams tell her they haven't had any movement besides the occasional walker. The night is quiet and very dark. Only a sliver of moon is lighting the obsidian skies. It's clear though, not a cloud in sight which allows the stars to shine bright. Each twinkling light punching holes in the inky darkness. Jameson keeps her steps light as always, her shoes barely making a noise while she circles the grounds. At every wall post she climbs the iron ladders and stands on the tiny platform using her night vision binoculars to scan the area. Her eyes trailing over the surrounding trees and abandoned homes. There is talk about removing the surrounding forest to extended the scouting area. To make it easier to see possible incoming threats but the counsel is torn on the subject. In one way the surrounding trees keep others from seeing the walled in paradise. It allows them to stay camouflaged from passing bystanders. The extra distance for seeing threats would be beneficial though. Nothing is set in stone one way or the other and as Jameson sees it, either option has its pros and cons they need to think about thoroughly before making the wrong decision.


Jameson is walking the walls for a few hours, the evening chugging along slowly but surely. She's tired but not exhausted, mainly because she's not used to working through the evening. A few weeks of not staying up all night for watches while doing runs and security duties is making her soft, in her eyes at least.

A muffled cry from the back of the gardens has her moving swiftly along the small greenhouse and into the long stretches of tomato plants. The sounds of feet scuffing across the ground and another muffled sob makes her feet speed up. When she turns a corner she sees the source of the noises and she is filled with rage. Moving forward quickly she yanks Derrick off the struggling Sam by his hair. Jameson drags him away painfully twist the locks in her hand until she can feel them almost pulling out. He's yelping and kicking his legs. Jameson lets go, throwing the man sideways and pulls out her knife. She has two guns on her but the scene she witnessed has awakened that rage filled monster and it decides a painful messy death is in order. Her vision is clouded red with fury.

"Sam are you ok?" Jameson says calmly despite her inner turmoil, her hand flexing around her blade hilt.

The girl lets out a sob and tries to scoot away further. Jameson keeps her eyes on Derrick who is zipping up his jeans while panting. His eyes are aflame and burning into Jameson.

"Sam?!" Jameson snaps, trying to get the girl moving away from danger.

"Y-yes." Sam whimpers, her hands shakily wiping her pale face.

"Go to Rick's." Jameson says loudly and firm. She tightens her grip on the hunting knife and prepares to attack Derrick if he so much as moves toward Sam. The girl stumbles to her feet and runs in the direction of the house. Derrick steps forward, his hands in tight white knuckled fists.

"Nosy fuckin' bitch." He sneers, his eyes angry and determined. Jameson steps back and out of the tangled aisles of soil bags and empty pots. She wants a clear fighting area because she is going to destroy this man if he comes near. If there is one type of person on earth that Jameson finds the most abhorrent, it is rapists.

"You're a sick fucker, you know that Derrick." She sneers. "Fuckin' coward rapist."

"Fuck you. She wanted it." He snarls and steps forward aggressively. Jameson taunts him, "Oh yeah? Her crying was consent huh? How 'bout you try that move with me you limpdick motherfucker."

Derrick lunges for the arm holding the blade but Jameson slashes him with the sharp blade. A thick cut gushes blood on his bicep as the man hisses in pain. Jameson smirks and says, "All you got you piece of shit?"

Derrick growls and lunges again surprising Jameson by diving into her, tackling her to the ground with a loud thump. The air is pushed out of Jameson's lungs and Derrick is holding her right wrist, the knife being pried out of her hand. She growls as he finally gets the blade but doesn't give up. Her left hand shoots up and claws into his face, her thumb digging into his eye causing him to scream out. Derrick's grip on the blade loosens, the knife falling to the side. He sits up holding his bloodied face while Jameson scrambles for the blade. Derrick feels her squirming away and fists her hair, the strands being painfully ripped out. Jameson claws at the ground, finally reaching the blade and swings around behind her. The flash of metal sinking deep into Derrick's right shoulder. He growls loudly, his hands wrapping around Jameson's throat. She twists the blade in his body while feeling her lungs burn without air.

Suddenly Derrick is yanked off of her. The blade sliding out of his shoulder, her hand and arm coated in deep red blood. Jameson sees Daryl punching the shit out of Derrick until Jack yanks him off the prone man. Daryl shakes Jack off and kneels in front of Jameson checking for injuries. She is still dazed while sucking in air. Daryl helps her sit up while she takes in jagged breaths, her hand rubbing her bruised throat.

"Ya ok?" Daryl keeps asking but Jameson only nods, her throat feeling too raw. After coughing several times she rasps, "Yeah I'm good."

Philip arrives and checks on Jameson but she waves him off. He starts to check out Derrick who is still unconscious from Daryl's heavy fists.

Rick and Jack hold him in place in case he awakens while the doctor packs his stab wound. Rick turns to look at Jameson and asks, "Ya ok Jameson?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Is Sam ok?" she says hoarsely, Daryl helping her to her feet. "Carol 'n Michonne got 'er. Said ya got here just in time." He says while wiping blood off Jameson's face. Daryl's hands are stroking the red marks soon to be bruises on her neck. She feels his eyes burning into her, his fists are tight, the skin broken open from crushing Derrick's face. Daryl is staring at the bruises forming on her wife's neck while grinding his teeth. Turning he glares at the man still unconscious on the ground. When Daryl came around the corner to see the guy atop Jameson he snapped. If Jack hadn't pulled him off Daryl would've put his fist through the guy's head eventually.

Jameson stares at Derrick while shaking her head, "Fucking bastard."

Chewing her lip she begins to feel the emotions of the event. The adrenaline from seeing the scene and fighting him had filled her with nothing but anger. Now she feels the old memories of being assaulted, the terror. Thinking of what the girl has just experienced. It won't matter that the final act was prevented, the damage is been done.

"Shouldn't have fuckin happened. I should've done more. She…. This is fuckin bullshit." Jameson growls yanking away from Daryl and walking further away. She feels guilt crushing her from not protecting the girl. For not keeping her promise. Jameson stands with her hands gripping her hips, her head tilted to the sky as she clenches her jaw, taking shaky breathes through her nose.

Daryl is standing near her but not attempting to touch her again. "Ain't your fault."

"Fuck if it isn't. I fuckin promised her Daryl, promised her she wouldn't be hurt behind these fuckin' walls. And this?! THIS is the worst fucking hurt. The fucking worst." Jameson shouts but ends with a sob. Her face fracturing in pain as she digs her nails into her palms. The old pain flaring angrily in her chest. Taking in a few jagged breaths she tries to reel in the hurt, reel in the pain.

Daryl is staring at his wife shatter. The past events in her life are usually bottled up tight. She never speaks much about the assaults she experienced other than saying they happened. Jameson plays it off as a terrible occurrence that is in the past. Daryl knows the attack in the police station brought up old issues but Jameson is always adamant that she is over it. Now he sees his sweet wife filled with anguish.

"Jameson," he says his voice rough but impossibly soft. The emotions rolling off her making him feel hopeless. "Please darlin'. C'mere." He reaches a hand out but doesn't approach her.

Jameson sniffs loudly and wipes her nose with the back of her hand. Stepping toward him she rest her forehead against his chest. A move that always seems to calm her. Daryl gently cups the back of her head and holds her there. Jameson feels the steady beat of his strong heart and lets it time her breaths. After several minutes she pulls back and looks up at him. His turbulent blue eyes staring back down at her through his long bangs. Rough thumbs stroke her cheeks, the fallen moisture wiped away.

"Ya did everythin' ya could. Ya stopped it when ya could. Ya caught the fucker. Ain't nothin' else y'coulda done. She'll know that." He explains carefully his voice calm and measured. Daryl wants her to know she did the best she could. Took the appropriate steps to keep the girl safe.

"I could've done more. I could've taken him out long ago. I knew he was dangerous. I knew he was a predator." She hisses and clenches her fist.

"No." he states firmly, his hands gripping her face tightly. "Ya ain't doin' this. Got it. Y'gonna stop this bullshit blamin'. Y'gonna go see that girl, check on her and tell her that the stupid prick ain't never hurtin 'nother lil girl. Got it? Rick ain't lettin' this go, he ain't walkin away from this."

Jameson sniffs again and nods as best she can with Daryl holding her face. He watches her chin tremble and he feels his chest clench. Leaning in he kisses her gently and places his forehead against hers.

"You're gonna be ok darlin'. I promise." He rasps his lips grazing her sweaty forehead. Leaning back he watches her nods and wipe her face again. Jameson looks toward the garden and sees Rick standing with Jack speaking quietly.

"I got this. Go home 'n wash up, go see Sam." Daryl tells her before aiming her toward their house, a gently push to her lower back. Daryl watches her walk away and scrubs his face roughly as he tries to shake the dread that had filled him.


Jameson climbs the stairs of Rick's house once she's changes her clothing. She hadn't even realized how much blood she had on her until she stood in her bathroom. Carol answers the door, her eyes hard and red. She raises and eyebrow as if asking if the problem is taken care of. Jameson says quietly, "Rick and Jack got him at the clinic. She awake?"

Carol nods and whispers, "She's in the office with Michonne. She told us she was taking a walk. That she couldn't sleep and that he surprised her while she walked past the gardens." Jameson growls and shakes her head angrily before walking toward the office door. Knocking softly Michonne pulls it open and gives her the same questioning look Carol gave her. "Rick's got him." Jameson tells her then enters the room to see Sam folded up in an armchair, her arms wrapped tightly around her long limbs. When Sam sees Jameson she flings herself out of the chair and hugs her. Jameson is slightly taken aback from the reaction but wraps her arms around the girl just the same. She can feel the trembling sobs as the girl clings to her and soaks her new shirt. Jameson makes eye contact with Michonne who looks just as surprised. She gives Jameson a small smile and backs out of the room to give them privacy. Jameson holds the girl until the cries become sniffles.

"Is he still here? What will happen?" Sam whispers, her voice shaking. Jameson pushes the girls bangs off her forehead and says, "He is at the medical clinic. Rick has him and we are going to talk in the morning. He won't be a problem though. Rick will take care of him."

Sam's eyes widen slightly and says whispers, "You mean like kill him?"

Jameson cuts her eyes away before saying, "Most likely. Yes."

Sam says in a strong voice, "Good." Jameson looks back at the girl and nods before motioning for her to sit down. Jameson sits across from her on the footstool. She watches Sam wipe her face and settle into the armchair.

"Are you hurt?" Jameson asks looking at the bruise on the girl's cheek for the first time. She can make out a small cut on Sam's bottom lip and red marks on her wrists. Sam shakes her head and says, "He slapped me a couple times and grabbed my arms hard. H-he was just… just getting' m-my pants down when you got there."

Jameson swallows the lump in her throat as guilt floods her. Blinking her eyes several times to clear the blurry vision she whispers, "I'm sorry."

Sam shakes her head and says, "You saved me."

"I should have prevented it," Jameson says hoarsely, choking back guilt.

"You did what you could," Sam states and twisting the fabric of her shirt. "You stopped him."

Jameson rubs her face and says, "Do you wanna talk about it? About what he did?"

Sam chews her lip and says, "I know about sex James… I just.. I've never done it…"

Jameson grinds her teeth and says, "What he was doin' wasn't sex." Sam looks at her confused and unsure. Jameson chews her lip before she continues, "When someone does that… forces you.. its not what sex is or should be. Its violence, its assault. Sex isn't like that ok? Not when it's consensual with someone you care for."

Sam nods and whispers, "Has that happened… to you?"

Jameson bites her lip and looks away for a moment and then back to the girl. Jameson nods and says, "It has."

"No one saved you huh?" Sam asks almost innocently. Jameson can see that despite the girl being experienced out in the violent world, she is still a kid, still innocent in many ways. She smiles sadly and feels her eyes fill while she shakes her head. "No… no one did."

Sam asks, "When?" Jameson chews her cheek and says, "Near the beginning of the change. I was by myself and I ran into a group of men. The worst kind of men. Men like Derrick."

Sam looks at her wide-eyed and asks, "What happen?"

Jameson feels torn about telling this girl what happened or keeping in vague. She is guessing that telling her may help the girl open up about her feelings, help her heal from the trauma. Jameson worries though it will just scare the girl. Always one to opt for the truth Jameson tells her, "They grabbed me and I was put in a tent. One of the men… he came in and beat me, cut up my face." She motions to the old scar around her temple. Sam's eyes widen at the admission.

"He got my clothes off and he raped me. It was.. violent." Jameson says. Sam nods and swallows nervously and says, "Did the others?"

Jameson shakes her head and says, "He was in charge and wanted the night with me. He… it wasn't once. It was… a lot. And then he fell asleep. I got to his knife and I killed him. I killed all of them."

Sam wrings her hands and says, "Did it make it go away?"

"What go away?" Jameson asks leaning forward, her elbows on her knees, chewing her lip anxiously.

"T-the fear." Sam stammers. Jameson feels her heart clench and she shakes her head. "No it didn't. It helps to know they weren't following me but it still hurt and I was still scared. It gets better and you start to forget the hurt, forget the scared feeling."

Sam nods and whispers, "Was that the only time?"

Jameson smiles sadly and shakes her head, "No. The next time I stopped it like I did for you, before it happened. It almost did though and the fear and hurt still happens."

Sam asks, "When was it?"

"Before you got here. Daryl, Aaron and I were on a run. We were attacked and… they had to watch this man try to hurt me. It didn't happen but it was too close." Jameson says while rubbing her eyes as if trying to erase the memories of Daryl's terror filled face behind the wire fencing. His fists bleeding from gripping the metal gate so tightly. His screams for them to stop.

"You killed them too?" she asks while tilting her head slightly. Jameson nods and looks away feeling almost guilty for her ability to kill others. Sam says, "You don't have to be ashamed of that. Killing to save yourself or others."

"I know but I do. No matter how much they deserve it, it still changes you." Jameson says sadly and shrugs a shoulder. They sit silently for a few minutes, both each lost in the own heads. Sam sighs and says, "Is everyone gonna know?"

Jameson shakes her head and says, "We'll figure out how to deal with it but you don't have to tell people what happened if you don't want to." Sam nods and says, "I just don't want… I just don't want to talk about it to everyone."

Jameson reaches out a squeezes her hand and says, "You don't have to. Don't hold it in. Talk to me or Michonne or anyone else you feel comfortable with but you don't have to talk to anyone if you don't wanna. Just know that this wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong."

Sam nodded and chewed her lip a while before yawning. Jameson tells her she should get some sleep and asks her where she would like to sleep. Sam decides to go back to Aaron and Eric's house. Jameson walks with her and speaks to Aaron while Eric gets her settled upstairs. Aaron is in shock and Jameson can see the man flashing back to the assault he witnessed. He clenches his fists and glares at the ground.

"I fuckin' failed her too." He mutters so quietly Jameson isn't sure he meant to say it out loud. She steps forward and cups his face. He looks at her surprised. Jameson says, "You didn't fail either of us."

Aaron squeezes his eyes shut and Jameson sees tears escape as he drops his chin to his chest. Jameson wraps her arms around his waist and hugs him tightly. He sniffs loudly before stepping back, his hands on Jameson's shoulders. "Thank you for being there for her. Shes… shes like a daughter to us now. Just.. thank you."

Jameson shakes her head and tries to swallow the lump in her throat. Clearing her throat she whispers roughly, "I wish I was faster but I'm glad I got there when I did."

Aaron pulls her in tight again before they part ways for the evening. Jameson heads home having been relieved of her patrol duties. She climbs the stairs tiredly and finds Daryl sitting on the porch smoking a cigarette. Jameson smiles sadly and sits down heavily next to him, snagging the smoke out of his lips. He exhales to the side and then kisses her temple.

"She ok?" he rasps, his arm curling around Jameson's back, his hand gripping her hip. Jameson nods while taking a deep drag. She blows the smoke up and sighs, "She'll be ok… talked about old stuff with her. Thought maybe if I shared…. hopefully it gets her to talk about it, if she needs. Didn't know if I should tell her or whatever."

Daryl squeezes her closer and says, "Sure it'll help, she knows she ain't alone."

Jameson nods and lays her head against his shoulder while finishing his smoke. She feels him kiss the top of her head and nuzzles into her hair. She smiles at how sweet the gruff redneck can be.

"Did ya wanna talk 'bout it?" he asks quietly as if not to spook her. Jameson shrugs and says, "It… when I came around the corner and saw that. Felt like, Jesus, it felt like I could tear the fuckers head off with my bare hands. I wanted too. Wanted to have an excuse."

Daryl rubs his hand up and down her arm and drawls, "Ya already had an excuse. What he did to that lil girl… coulda stabbed him in the back for all I care."

Jameson whispers, "If I tell you something will you keep it to yourself?"

"That's a stupid question darlin'. 'course I will." Daryl says his voice gravelly. Jameson sits up and looks at him before saying quietly, "I wanted to watch him die… I wanted him to know I came through on my promise to kill him for hurting my family. I taunted him to get him to come at me. If you guys hadn't shown up I woulda… I woulda slaughtered him. He may have been chokin' me but… I would've murdered him."

Daryl nods and pushes hair off her forehead, tucking it behind her ear. "I woulda wanted the same thing. Ain't sure if its right or good but ya ain't alone darlin'. If I came across that I don't think he'd be in one piece when ya found me. Rick will take care of it now though."

Jameson smiles wearily and looks at her lap, her fingers picking at the hole in her jeans. Daryl tilts her head up to see her eyes. He can't stand seeing her upset. It physically hurts him to see her in pain. "Le's get in bed darlin'."


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