Chapter 51

Hannah sighed and stretched against the warm body underneath her. She yawned. She could feel rough hair under the palm of her hand and she curled her fingers into it before stroking her hand softly across it. So nice, she thought, still half-asleep. She nuzzled her face into his throat and pressed her mouth against the warm skin before opening her lips and tasting the saltiness of his skin with the tip of her tongue. The heart beneath her palm began to beat with a rapid, thudding fierceness and the hand around her ribcage squeezed almost painfully. Her roaming fingers brushed against his nipple and there was a sharp inhale and a choked whisper of "Hannah, stop." before a sudden bump nearly knocked her off Rick's lap and woke her up completely. He held on to her with a strong hand around her ribcage and she sat up, blinking owl-like at the bright afternoon sun. She glanced at Rick, realized with horror that she was still caressing his chest inside his shirt, and pulled her hand free.

"Sorry." She muttered in embarrassment. He just nodded and stared out the passenger window. Apparently in her sleep she had straddled him. She could see both Daryl and Amelia looking at her over Rick's shoulder. Amelia stared at her thoughtfully, biting at her lower lip, and Hannah was positive she had seen what just happened. Her face reddening, she shifted and wiggled around, smacking the top of her head on the ceiling of truck and poking Rick in the chest with her elbow, until she was facing forward.

She cleared her throat and asked in a low voice, "How much further is it?"

When Rick didn't answer, T-Dog glanced over at her, "About 20 minutes." He frowned, "Hannah, are you okay?"

She was staring at him, eyes wide and her face pink. She licked her lips, "I'm fine."

He nodded and looked back at the road ahead of him.

Hannah stared straight ahead and tried to stay perfectly still. It had taken her a few minutes to recognize exactly what that hardness under her ass was but now it was impossible to ignore. She glanced down to her right to see Rick gripping the arm rest of the truck door so hard the knuckles of his hand were white.

As T-Dog turned off the highway, down the nearly hidden dirt road, she wondered if she should slide forward a bit. Before she could move, the truck hit a pothole and she bounced on Rick's lap, hitting her head on the ceiling of the truck again. She could hear Rick hissing beneath her as the truck jolted and groaned its way down the dirt road. She tried to stop herself from moving by bracing her hands on the ceiling but she was too light and she bounced helplessly on his lap. Finally, with a muttered curse, Rick clamped his arm around her hips and held her tightly against him. It pressed his erection more firmly against her ass and despite herself she could feel her body responding. She gritted her teeth and willed herself not to give in to the temptation to rub her ass against him.

Hannah glanced behind her; Isaac had woken and he and Julie were peering interestedly out the front window of the truck and Daryl had his arm wrapped around Amelia, holding her from sliding off his lap. Amelia was still looking at her in that same thoughtful way, "Hannah, you're flushed. Is your side okay?"

She nodded and tried to smile, "It's a little tender."

Melissa, who had woken when the truck had started down the dirt road, patted her arm sympathetically, "It's not too much further now. Do you want to try and slip back onto the seat again? I can move over, you may not be jerked around as much."

Rick's arm immediately tightened around her, his hand squeezing into her flesh, and she knew exactly what he was trying to communicate.

"Thank you." She said, "But if Rick's okay with it, I'll just stay here; we're almost there right?"

"It's fine." Rick replied, "We're almost to the campsite."

Nearly 15 minutes later, T-Dog pulled into the clearing, Merle stopping the car behind him, and shut the truck off.

"Home sweet home." T-Dog smiled at Melissa and she squeezed his big knee.

"I'm so glad to be back." She smiled as he opened the door and jumped out of the truck, turning to lift her down from the seat. Behind them, Daryl slid out of the truck, followed closely by Amelia, Julie and Isaac. Only then did Hannah move off of Rick's lap. She slid to the far end of the seat and without looking at Rick, swung her legs over the edge to jump down. Before she could jump, T-Dog stuck his hands under her armpits and lifted her out like she was a small child. He set her on the ground and gave her a wink before turning back to Melissa. Behind her she could hear the truck door slam as Rick climbed out from his side.

Hannah stood next to Julie and Isaac as Ethan, carrying Jacob in one arm and Sara leaning on the other, joined them. Jeremy and Scott followed more slowly; Scott once again having to lead his younger brother by the hand. Only Merle stood apart, leaning on the car and chewing thoughtfully on a toothpick, as the others filed out of the main lodge.

"Dad!" Carl smiled happily and ran across the clearing to hug his father. Lori followed more slowly, her arms wrapped around herself like usual, a small frown of uncertainty on her face. Rick nodded to her but made no effort to touch her. Carl stared curiously at the newcomers, before waving at Hannah. She waved back and gave him a brief smile.

She watched as the little girl Ellie, peeked out from behind Carol's leg. Her face broke into a wide grin at the sight of Daryl and Amelia and she let go of Carol's hand and skipped across the wide space between them. "Hi Amelia! Hi Daryl!" she sang happily and wrapped her arms around Amelia's legs.

"Pick me up!" she demanded, holding her arms up to Amelia.

"I can't right now Ellie baby. My shoulder is pretty sore." Amelia smiled at her. "I sure am glad to see you though."

Ellie pouted and then turned to Daryl. She held her arms up wordlessly. Daryl cracked his knuckles nervously and looked to Amelia for help. She grinned at him and sighing, he leaned down and gingerly picked Ellie up.

"Hi Daryl." She kissed his cheek, making him flinch a little, and then leaned out towards Amelia. She kissed Amelia on the mouth with a loud smacking noise. "Where have you been Amelia? Did you miss me?"

"I sure did Ellie." Amelia smiled at her as she settled back against Daryl and wrapped her small arm around his neck. Daryl cleared his throat and began to set her down but she scowled and tightened her arm around him.

"Nu-uh Daryl - I want to be held."

Amelia, taking pity on Daryl, looked around the clearing, "Where's Michael honey? He'll hold you."

Ellie shrugged, "He's in the eye with Frank."

Amelia frowned, "The eye with Frank?"

Carol had joined them and she laughed a little, "She means the blind with Frank." She held Amelia's hand and then squeezed Daryl's arm for a moment. "Welcome home you two."

Amelia stared towards the trees where the blind was located. The sun was too strong for her to see it so she settled for waving in its general direction, knowing Michael would see her.

"Who's that?" Ellie asked suddenly. She pointed at Hannah's small group clustered together in front of the truck.

"New friends." Amelia replied. "Would you like to meet Jacob?" She motioned for the group to join them and everyone, with the exception of Hannah, started over. Hannah stayed in front of the truck, her hand on her side, and her face pale. She kept darting quick glances at Rick as he stood silently next to Lori, Carl chattering quietly to him. Amelia sighed. She recognized too well, the look on Hannah's face.

Hannah rubbed gently at her side and tried to stop herself from looking at Rick and his family. Despite her nap in the truck she was exhausted and her side was burning and throbbing. The thought of having to have it cleaned and sewn up again was enough to make her want to cry. Her emotions were all over the place and although she knew it was a combination of stress, pain and probably blood loss as well, she had to bite her tongue fiercely to keep herself from crying.

She sighed when a familiar voice spoke into her ear. "Never did get an answer to my question girl." Merle had moved away from the car and was now standing directly behind her.

"What question was that Mere?" she replied politely.

"Whether or not you been missin' Merle?" he smiled down at her, his eyes lingered on her lips and then her small breasts.

"Now why would I miss you?"

"Everyone needs someone to keep 'em warm at night. You know my offer still stands to keep you warm." He gave her another grin, this one decidedly more lecherous, and stroked her arm with the stump of his missing hand.

She smiled coolly at him and motioned for him to move closer. He bent down until his face was only a few inches from hers and she forced herself not to step away.

"I'd rather sleep with a Walker than let you touch me with any part of your ignorant, racist body Merle Dixon. Do I make myself clear?" she said quietly.

He bared his teeth at her before straightening, "That can be arranged ya know." He gave her a thin, cruel smile. "Accidents have been known to happen – especially to uppity bitches like you."

"You shouldn't threaten me Merle. I don't play nice." She stared coldly at him.

He stared at her. His eyes darkened with a combination of anger and, Hannah shuddered inside, desire and he deliberately stroked her arm again. "I keep hopin' you won't play nice with me girl."

"Is there a problem here?" Rick's low voice spoke from behind her left shoulder. Hannah didn't allow the relief she felt to show on her face.

"No problem officer." Merle smiled widely at him. "Hannah and I were just discussin' how much she's been missin' me."

"Is that - Merle?" Glen's voice rang out across the clearing and Hannah looked up to see every one staring at them.

Merle grinned and waved his stump at them merrily, "Surprise!" as the others stared in shocked silence. Hannah caught a glimpse of Lori's white, shocked face before she turned and fled back to their cabin.

Rick sighed behind her, "Carl, can you go to the main lodge with everyone else? I want to speak to your mom for a minute." He ran a weary hand through his hair as Carl nodded and started towards Amelia and the others.

Rick walked towards his cabin as Merle called out mockingly, "Uh oh – hope ol' Merle ain't gonna be trouble in paradise for ya officer."

"Do everyone a favour and shut the fuck up Merle." Hannah glared at him before walking away.