For Daryl, childhood memories had always been elusive creatures. At times, he'd struggle with a memory, trying his damnedest to bring it forward but nothing happened as if his subconscious was trying to protect him. He figured not much of his childhood was worth recalling. But he wanted to remember the memories Danni was talking about. About him being with her, coming to comfort her when they were kids. Sure she'd come to him, he'd nailed down those recollections but, a first kiss? That was digging at him.

Occasionally though, something would happen at random and a memory fixed in his mind in striking clarity. Some unknown visual cue, smell, or sound triggered a recollection so powerful he'd have to stop whatever he was doing. Today it was strawberries.

He followed Merle and Danni's tracks. They had gotten a head start but he was a fast walker and since he knew they were headed to Woodbury, he didn't have to spend time studying the ground before him.

The breeze picked up and he caught scents in the air almost like a dog. He cut through a section of woods to get to the high road when he noticed the light, sweet smell of strawberries, from a nearby patch.

She tasted like strawberries. Her lipgloss was sweet and slightly sticky on the feathery lips of a twelve-year-old girl. His first kiss in the playground. It happened the summer after his momma died. I remember Danni, I remember now. The summer he turned thirteen. His mind drifted back to that day.

On a new stretch of road, he felt a mild sense of exhilaration that his adolescent self didn't quite understand. The area was unfamiliar to him. He'd just moved to this side of the hollow with his daddy into a trailer. It wasn't all that different but instead of being surrounded by mountains and woods this side also had endless fields of cotton with a ruler-straight line dividing them in two. Something about exploring enlivened his senses, like hunting, did. It gave him a sense of hope and made his mind race and wander. Daryl Dixon lived for the sense of escapism, in one form or another. The house was gone, his momma was gone, Merle was gone off to the army. What else did he have?

Matter of fact, many people in town had already gotten into the habit of calling him 'not all there' ' not right in the head' or 'dumb mute'. He both resented and understood the nicknames and often times he wondered what it might mean for him in the future. His daddy called him dumb all the time. Merle warned him about always being off in his head. When she was alive his momma asked why he didn't talk to people more, why was he so shy? He didn't like being around others, never knew what to say. His reputation for being weird and quiet gave him a wide berth from other folks and the solitude that he preferred. He always walked to school since the buses tended to be full of rowdy hellions who'd always pick fights since he was the smallest, poorest and quietest. It made him a target for bullies. He never backed down from a fight, of course, he was scrappy, Merle had made sure of that but most days he just didn't want to deal. There were two ways to and from school. He always took the longer route, mostly because taking that route meant he would have to invest less time in avoiding the old man once he got home. Since his momma died a few months back and they'd moved to the run down trailer, he avoided 'home' as much as he could. Maybe momma was always drunk, but she was there and sometimes when he sat with her or cleaned her up after she got sick from the booze, she'd say she loved him. It was rare, but it happened. Once or twice. Now there was no chance of anyone ever caring about him again. As much as he had wanted momma to love him, he hated her for leaving him.

The long way home took him past the clearing in the woods where he'd go to lick his wounds and get peace after the old man's beatings. It was here she'd come to him. The girl who'd sing songs to him listen to him talk about how much he wanted to get out.

He was making a concerted effort to enjoy the trip home as much as he could, pacing himself so that he would arrive home just after dark. The old man would be in bed by then, and that was a driving force in his life. Avoid his daddy at all costs. Will was three times his size and quick with his fists, and his propensity to crawl inside of a bottle every chance he got only made it worse. Daryl had plenty of bruises and scars thanks to him, so he played a tactical game of avoiding the old drunk at every turn.

Later that year, in the middle of August, in fact, it was Daryl's birthday he was outside digging a ditch. About right, he thought. The heat was unforgiving and miserable. The old man put him to work with a narrow shovel toiling away at excavating a sewage line that ran from the back of the trailer to the end of the property. It had become congested with years of roots and debris, and the time to remove and replace them with modern plumbing had finally come around. Daryl had been making good progress, taking short breaks and working through the hottest part of the day. He guessed he was concentrating too hard on the job at hand, or maybe the heat was taking its toll on him because as wary as he usually was he didn't notice his father standing behind him. He didn't know how long he had been there watching him until he spoke.

"You're throwing the dirt too far from the hole, pussy bitch." Will grunted.

Daryl heard his voice, and instantly his blood was boiling but was also shivering with fear. He looked behind at the long trench he'd dug, and then looked down at his raw, blistered hands. He supposed the old man could see the anger in his eyes. Before he could speak Will reached down and grabbed Daryl's left ear, turning it painfully and pulling his face close to his. He smelled of sweat and copper and his breath was heavy with the stench of rotgut.

"I said you're throwing the dirt too far from the hole!" He barked, and that was when Daryl's anger got the best of him.

He tore away from him, stinging pain erupting from his ear as he pulled back. He raised the shovel and struck his daddy across the knees as hard as he could. His legs buckled and then he fell face-first into the narrow ditch, almost comically. If Daryl weren't so scared at the moment it would have been funny, watching that big bastard squirm and flail in that narrow ditch, not knowing exactly what the hell had just happened. Daryl touched his torn ear and saw blood on his hand. He crawled out of the ditch and stood over his father as he fought to right himself.

"Who's the bitch now?" He spat at him, then threw the shovel in the ditch and walked away. He forgot how fast the old man was even drunk. He hadn't gotten far when suddenly pain bloomed in his right side and his breath was knocked out of him. As he fell to the ground, he felt more pain exploding on his left side. As he lay there on the ground, writhing and gasping for air, he could see a boot inches from his face. Will hooked a toe under Daryl's midsection and rolled him over onto his back. He lay there helpless, his kidneys screaming in pain. The setting sun was behind Will as he stood over Daryl, who could hear his voice but couldn't see his face for the blinding glare. "Next time I'll kill you boy." He hissed, and with that he walked away.

Daryl remembered feeling relieved that he walked away because he didn't want him to see him crying. He also knew that it wasn't over. There would be another episode between them, there was no way around it. The were more frequent and more violent since momma died no matter how good he was at avoiding the bastard. That night when Daryl lay in the clearing in the woods, looking at the stars his own tears long dried and his pain subsided, he heard the girl crying. When he stood, he saw her lying on the rusted red merry go round.

"Hey, you want a push?" He asked.

"No."

"How come? You always want a push?"

"I'm sick of going around and around and never getting anywhere. Never getting free. It's never gonna get better."

"Feels like it never does." He paused. "What about the swings? It's like flying, you could fly away somewhere."

He was proud she took his advice and walked over, settling herself on the wooden seat. He started pushing her, watching her long, unruly, raven hair flying out behind her as her feet nearly touched the treetops.

"You're still crying." He said as he stopped pushing and the swing came to a gentle halt.

"No-" She protested. She stood and turned.

She started to cry harder and he knew she was ashamed.

"Hey," he spoke gently, understanding her pained expression.

"Hey," She responded with difficulty. "I want to be alone right now."

She peeked up at him from under her dark bangs and he saw her huge eyes.

They were the mixture of a deep emerald mixed with a chocolate color surrounding the pupils. They mesmerized him and he could get lost staring into those eyes. Her face was very cute, still much like a baby's face, but it was starting to narrow a bit like faces do when they mature. So pale, so delicate. She had on denim cut off shorts and a Minnesota Twins T-shirt. Her Converse sneakers were worn and full of holes; he could tell they were the kind of shoes you'd loved so much you'd wear them till they were nothing more than tatters. He liked that.

He was confused as his body seemed to take over despite his mind. He moved closer behind her, hindering her ability to turn to face him. With a surge of protectiveness and bravery, he didn't know he had, Daryl ran his hand up and down her shoulder, not in a sexual way but as a reassuring gesture. She seemed okay with it so he tentatively reached his other hand up to her opposite shoulder and slowly massaged her neck. He wasn't afraid to touch her. He felt like he knew her. He wasn't shy, not with her.

"I couldn't not come. I know about the thing." He knew it was the worst thing you could do to a kid, violate her body that way. He didn't want to name it that's how mad it made him. But she didn't need him to be mad, just to be...there

"And you don't exist."

"You're scared, I know." He placed his hands on her shoulders and drew her towards him.

"You're teasing me by being here." She muttered. "If you really cared about me, then you wouldn't be here."

He breathed against her neck and rested his chin on her shoulder. Honeysuckle assaulted his senses. He felt her close her eyes and bite back more tears as if his touch was torture. He moved his lips to her ear and whispered gently, "Don't cry. I'm here. I always am."

She kept her face away from his soft lips. He caressed her cheek and held her chin gently, forcing her gaze to rest upon his face. He saw her deep wet eyes asking for something. She raised an arm around his neck and laid her forehead between his collarbones. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her close to him. When she tried to pull away, nervously, he gently took the side of her shirt and tugged her in closer to him. "You have no fucking idea what this world is about to do for you."

When the girl gasped for breath, he felt his heart begin to race with her thoughts.

Then it just happened. They both came together and kissed. Strawberries. She tastes like strawberries...lip gloss...whatever. More... tastes sweet...more...His brain was addled; had he said those words or thought them? He put everything he felt for her into that kiss, all of the protectiveness, fear, hope, and longing. They brought their souls to bear in this kiss. He loved her so much. He felt the familiar warmth in his chest; the feeling he got when she came and sang to him, except now it was so much stronger.

I can feel it all over my body. I realize that nothing else is as important to me as this girl. It's like everything else that binds me to this world has fallen away.

And he knew she felt the same thing he did. Because she was his soul mate. After a few more seconds, they broke apart. Now Daryl felt weird; his heart was beating real fast and he was sweating a little. Where had that forwardness come from? He felt his cheeks redden. He shook his head a bit to clear it. He opened his eyes to see her staring right back at him with a look in them he'd never seen before. Those eyes were very wide and she seemed happy, very happy. He nodded and felt responsible somehow.

Not sure what to do next, he just looked at her. Her deep hazel eyes welled with excitement, as she blinked away tears. Her wild black hair, a bit windblown, framed her face so beautifully, he wanted to touch it, but instead burrowed his hands deep in his pockets.

When she smiled, her face lit up in a way that made Daryl's knees weak. Nothing had ever made him feel that way before. But he knew this moment couldn't last. It never did. He needed to break the silence that was inspiring melancholy.

"Hey," He said. "What dog can jump higher that a building?"

"What? I don't know?"

"Any dog. Buildings can't jump."

"That's a terrible joke." She said.

"But you're laughing."

"Cause it's horrible." She shook her head then asked "What do I do?"

He heard her plea and simply said "Wait for me." But as the words left his lips she was gone and he was back in the clearing talking to the damn pine tree in front of him.

Had it been a dream? It sure hadn't felt that way, but he licked his lips and tasted strawberry. At least one good thing had happened on his birthday.

... .. .. .. .. .. .

*Present time

Jesus Christ y' all making me feel like I'm daddy driving my kid to the damn high school prom the two of you sitting back there like that."

"Shut up Merle!" They said in unison from the backseat.

Danni lay stretched out on the seat of the car Merle had hotwired to get them to Woodbury. The trip back to prison had been silent except for Merle's bellyaching. Her head was on Daryl's lap as Merle drove. He was stroking her hair softly. She was exhausted, sore, embarrassed and feeling guilty. What Daryl had said about loving her broke her heart and filled it at the same time. The guilt ravaged her and she tried to shake it from her head. She'd gotten herself kidnapped like a weak, stupid damsel in distress what she fought so hard not to be.

"I'm sorry, sorry for all of this. I screwed up. I'm sorry."

His soft caressing of her hair moved to her temples and he started massaging them, putting her into a relaxed state.

"Strawberry lip gloss."

"What?"

"Our first kiss. Told you I remember."

Danni's stomach flipped and her eyes widened. "Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker. Strawberry Creme."

"I told you to wait."

"What?

"You asked me what to do and I told you to wait for me. But I don't think you heard me."

"I didn't."

"But you found me again."

Soon she closed her eyes and the gravelled hum of the road under the tires, helped her to drift off.

"Well, Danni you made quite a holy show of things."

"You're here to say I told you so aren't you Nan."

"Aye. Now get that puss off." Nan scolded her. "You aren't thick, you're just too much of a chancer love."

"I know I messed up, but now I'll do all I can to make him happy. I'll stay quiet, lay low, take the best care of him and the babies I can. I'll leave all the heroics to him. I'll never put him through anything like that again."

"Will you now? Just sit around like. Quiet and meek as a dormouse?"

"Nan, he wants me to be careful, I'll be careful. He wants me safe and not to take risks. That's what I'll do. I won't even go outside the gate to get plants. I'll have him do it. "

"Sounds like you're a bit resentful and angry and its gonna get you in trouble lass. Would you jump in a river if he told you to?"

"Look, if I have to change, I'll change. My god you heard what he said...those beautiful words….I can change and be what he wants."

"You are what he wants! It's not about changing, it's about being smart. Jaysus. Now a man wants to be the icing on your cake, not the whole cake itself! Too much pressure and too much cake. They can't handle it. What you're doing now? Giving that man way too much cake. He needs you to step up like."

"It's what I have to do,"

"Don't give me your guff now. You can't shut down and wallow in guilt. You don't have that luxury. You waited a long time for each other. What did I always say?"

"A watched pot never boils?"

"Aye, but What else?"

Danni looked blankly at her Nana.

"When you argued with me and said you'd never love any man, never find a fella."

"There is a lid for every pot." Danni murmured, remembering.

"Right. Have I told you about soulmates? Because that's what the two of you are."

"I know we are...I feel it. I recall things."

"Yes it's a wonderful thing but it's not all lemon cake and meade. It's a responsibility. The thing about soul mates is they are a mirror. One that reflects your true self, every horrid detail and beautiful dream. Now if both people are not ready to really look at themselves, they may attack and abandon a soulmate because they cannot step up. The cobra striking at its own reflection. Don't be leaving your fella to all this with a lick and promise like. Hear me? You two are a team. Danni find your way, it's in the middle. Don't get lost in the black and white."

Danni awoke with a start. Daryl was holding her shoulders.

"I am so sorry. So sorry." She whispered again, not knowing what else to say, looking up at his face in the shadows.

He was glad she'd said something. She'd been silent since he laid it all out. He hoped she wasn't pissed at him but if she was she was. Seemed he had nothing to worry about as she squeezed his hand and said she loved him.

.. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Danni was grateful to hear Ryder screaming his little lungs out when they the entered the prison. Not that she wanted anything to be wrong with him, but it gave her the excuse to race through the cell block and upstairs without having to talk to or face anyone. She didn't have to explain the cut on her cheek or the split lip, bruises and torn T-shirt. She didn't want to deal with any of it just now. She saw Rick looking concerned but ignored him. Tomorrow was soon enough for explanations. Her boy needed her.

"Hey. What's wrong little man, hey, hey, hey I'm here .." She took him from Beth and started walking him in long strides humming against his cheek. It's okay, it's okay momma is here."

He choked and hiccupped his face red and cheeks chapped. The sharp staccato cries continued mixed with wrenching wails.

"He's been crying for hours...I tried everything...is he okay?" Beth apologized, feeling helpless.

"It's okay Beth you did fine, he-"

"Just needed his momma." Daryl said loudly, firmly from behind them. "He missed her and needs her."

Danni looked back at him. She loved him, but somehow the way he just said it made he feel he was chastising her. Wait, if he was well, she deserved after what she'd just put him through….

"Beth sensed some tension and immediately left them.

"I'm here, I'm here…" she murmured to the hysterical infant. She began singing softly, Ye Auld Triangle. Her voice was rich and hoarse; sweet and soothing all at once, as always.

A hungry feeling came o'er me stealing

And the mice, were squealing in my prison cell

And that auld triangle went jingle-jangle

All along the banks of the Royal Canal

The screw was peeping and the lag was sleeping

As he lay weeping for his girl Sal

And that auld triangle, went jingle jangle

All along the banks of the Royal Canal...

Singing and walking finally settled her little man. She turned to Daryl.

"I'm still kind of pissed at you." He said leaning back against the railing, his eyes holding her still. He wanted to be honest. She'd scared him to death.

"I know." She paused "But you love me." Then, with a hint of a mischievous smile she added in a parody of his deep rasp "You fucking love me."

He shook his head and looked down, his cheeks flushing a little at the memory of the extreme emotion he'd shown earlier and at her silly impression of his voice.

"You're gonna pay for that." He said squinting up at her.

"Good, when?"

"When they're asleep."

She smiled, then pursed her lips. 'What you said...back there. I...it was the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to me. The most important. I wish I could make you feel what I felt inside when you said those words. Like you broke my heart but fixed it at the same time. Doesn't make sense, huh?"

Daryl looked at Danni standing a few feet away holding their son in her arms hardly able to believe how far they'd come. He saw her face that night in his tent, the first time they'd made love. He remembered how frightened he'd been of how sure he was that she would be his forever. That's why he left her that night. He was so far from frightened now, he accepted it, all of it.

"It does. To me."

"What you said ...you make me feel like a heroine from one of my books. Like a Jane Austen novel or something." She looked down. "You asked me to stop, I'll stop. I can't live without you either. Daryl, you are right about me about not showing you I love you enough."

"I was pissed I didn't mean-"

"Yes you did and you were right to say it. Things only work when we are a team. It was stupid of me to go off without you. I know that now. My responsibility Is to you and to them. To be here for us. It's not about me. It's about us, the four of us.

"All I was trying to say. I live for you and for them. Everything I do, think about, it's to make our life work." He paused, " My kids ain't never gonna be afraid of me."

"There you go again, I'm gonna cry. Daryl, it's gonna be better now, I mean it."

"He sleeping yet?" Daryl asked in that low, slow voice, eyes heavy-lidded.

"Yeah." She couldn't wait for him to hold and heal her again. She put Ryder in his little bin and looked over at Kiera still asleep. Danni asked her silently to stay asleep for at least another half hour. Please, little girl.

Danni lowered herself to the mattress where Daryl sat waiting. She pushed him down, immediately ripping open his shirt. Her hands moved over his chest, feeling every solid muscle under his hot, smooth, slightly sweaty skin. His pecs were as well defined as the muscles of his shoulders. As her hands passed over them, kneading slightly, she found herself focusing on the texture and feel of his skin and the tone of his muscles. They got more defined all the time it seemed. All the while, her face held a hungry countenance. She buried her nose into his hot chest, smelling his sweet musky scent. She was practically groping him, loving the satisfied noises he was making as her hands slid down over the taut muscles of his abdomen. She licked the sweat as it travelled from his neck slowly down his broad chest to his tight stomach then disappeared under his waistband. She could see the bulge in his pants waiting to be set free.

She had to erase the picture of her day. "Inside me now, I-"

"Hey-"

She felt frustration and desire curling in the bottom of her stomach. "I'll say please."

"Shit…" he breathed into her neck. He was lost in her hands. God she felt so good stroking him running her hands over his skin.

He looked at her eyes. Behind the glazed lust, he could see something else...sadness. It occurred to him that she might not have told him everything. He pushed her away and sat up.

"Danni, he didn't? Did he? Did that prick do-" fearing the worst of the Governor.

"No. No. But he would have. If Merle hadn't come in when he did. It makes me feel so sick, so dirty. It makes me feel so …."

He knew it was his duty to ease her pain as always. "Hey, you're mine. I know that. You know that. C'mere. No one's ever gonna fuck you but me."

She looked at him, biting her lip. She quickly wriggled out of her skirt and had her shirt off in the next second exposing her black bra and panties. She deftly unhooked the bra and threw it at him.

"Slow down." Daryl murmured, amused. She laid down on her back and waited as he pulled off his pants. After tossing them aside, he leaned forward resting over her on his elbows. He kissed her softly and took her tongue deeply into his mouth.

There was a burning need in between her legs so she raised them up to cross behind his back, bringing her pelvis up to his. Daryl groaned as she rolled her hips against his, sending an even stronger tingling through her body. Suddenly he broke away, sitting and pulling her up with him. "Hey, we can go slow."

She kissed him briefly and turned around pressing her back against his chest. "Or fast." Danni countered bending down on all fours, arching her back, and peeking seductively over her shoulder.

She closed her eyes shivering as Daryl slid his hands over her waist, gripping her hips firmly. One of them came up and gathered a fistful of her hair for a split second before sliding back down to finger the elastic on her panties.

"This is what you want?" Daryl rasped softly, grinding his pelvis into her ass.

"Mmm hmm." She arched her back even higher like a cat and purred.

"A gentle little fuck?" he asked, grinding a little harder. His voice made her shudder and answer, "It doesn't need to be gentle."

With that Daryl quickly flipped her over so they were face-to-face again. "Naw, it does, its gonna be like this, so I can see my girl's beautiful face." He kissed her throat entwining his fingers in her hair. She didn't know what to say, so she closed her eyes and tipped her head back, opening her neck for him. "Look at me Danni." Daryl whispered hoarsely.

She opened her eyes. And he put his fingers on her lips then moved them to trace the knife wound that trailed across her cheek, making her feel a little flustered, but she fingered the one across his neck. What had she said to him? 'You won another battle.' Maybe hers was more of a lesson.

"C'mon," Danni pulled is face closer.

"Slow down girl." He ordered again.

She shrugged. "What does it matter? It's just us." She drew him down to kiss, but he stayed put and said "It matters cause you're beautiful and you're mine and I'm gonna show you how much I love you. Real slow." His words made her gasp.

She expelled another harsh breath as Daryl tugged her panties gently down her legs, tossing them on the floor. A whine escaped her as his hands slid to her knees, gently pulling them wider apart to position himself between her thighs. They made eye contact, and though her eyes flickered his remained constant as he slowly slid himself inside her. She winced at first as always adjusting to him filling her then the warmth and her wetness overtook her and she opened her mouth in a silent gasp. She was actually lost for words when Daryl growled and pulled her up, gripping her lower back.

"Feel so good...you feel so fucking good" she moaned when she could finally speak again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her face into his smooth solid bicep as he ran his fingers through her hair, tugging and pulling the ends a little, just between her shoulder blades.

Danni turned her head and closed her mouth over his lower lip, sucking gently. He moved his hips in a subtle way that somehow sent lightning bolts through her center. The aching sensation grew, and she lost herself, pushing Daryl back onto the bed, moving her waist in circles. Her fingers trailed down his chest and he found them entwined in his. They moved like that for some time, but it only felt like seconds.

Daryl sat up sliding his arms around her, pressing them together laying her beneath him, moving his hips to hers, kissing her everywhere. His hands gripped the edge of the mattress behind her head, and he buried his face into her neck, pushing into her. She moaned in rhythm with each thrust. The pleasure was amplified by their love as it always was. It was never lost on either of them. Danni savored the feeling she'd never been with anyone who made her feel like she belonged as much as Daryl did.

"Faster. Please." She whispered, feeling her body go over the edge. Daryl pulsed into her and holding himself there she felt his warmth as he let go. She writhed against him several times climaxing. Then finally, they fell into each other, breathing hard.

A tear slid down from the outer corner of her eye, and she laughed, embarrassed. Daryl lifted his head and kissed it away, and she closed her eyes, overwhelmed with feelings. She teased her fingers through Daryl's shaggy hair, and between breaths, he whispered "You deserve this every time." She kissed him, another tear fell.

"Sleep, baby." She said softly. "Get some rest because we're doing that again as soon as we wake up. I love you..." Then the wails in unison started from the babies.

She sighed. "I was waiting for my little Scout to start up. She was way too good tonight. Ready daddy?" Danni asked over the screaming infants, pulling on her clothes.

He nodded. "Ready momma?"

He kissed her before they got up.

"Shit, we forgot the condom again!" She said as she picked up Scout.

"I know. I hate them things though." Daryl answered. "Can't feel you enough. Sides we're married."

"Then why do I feel like an irresponsible teenager? You just do that to me."

"Any dreams about.."

"No."

"We're good."

She shook her head amused at how sure he was and settled the babies to her for their feeding.