"You sure you don't want me to stay?" Daryl asked his wife for the tenth time that morning. The hunting trip he'd planned with Merle a few days ago had seriously put a crimp in the huge new plans he and Rhiannon had just made for their future.

Rhiannon rolled her eyes playfully at his insistence. "I'll be fine. You go. I know you've been dying to get beyond those gates."

"Not if you don't want me to." He argued. "I can tell Merle to go alone."

"Look, as much as I want you to stay here so we can go at it all day, like we should be doing, I don't think you should be leaving your one-handed brother to do all the hunting. This community needs you."

Daryl blushed slightly at her comment. He pretended it was due to her suggestive innuendo about them 'going at it all day' and not her praise about his importance to the community.

"I don't want you goin' alone today." He said quietly and Rhiannon sighed, moving closer to take his hands in hers.

"I'll be fine. This is a pretty routine procedure." She reassured him. She'd had her implant replaced before and getting it taken out wasn't a big deal to her, contrary to how Daryl felt about it.

He acted like she was getting ready for invasive surgery.

"Rhi, this is huge, I don't like you goin' through this alone." He stressed.

"I'll find Carol and ask her to go with me. It's fine, Daryl, this is what we both want… right?"

He looked at her plainly, not liking that she was still having reservations about his opinion. Despite his previous denial, he was willing and ready for what came next. He was ready to start trying and he would do whatever it took to convince her he was all in.

He just wished he didn't have to leave with Merle and that he could've stayed and proved it to her all day long.

"I want this. I ain't changin' my mind, ever."

Rhiannon smiled, leaning up on her toes to press a quick kiss to his lips, which he eagerly responded to. His hands slithered around her waist, pulling her into his strong chest as he tilted his head, deepening the once innocent kiss.

Rhiannon's hands reached up to tangle through his hair, causing a shiver to run down his spine at the feeling. He pulled away, taking a deep breath to center himself and not give in to his desires.

"Ok, if you keep that shit up I ain't leavin'."

Rhiannon giggled in delight, putting on an innocent smile, though the mischief in her eyes were clear as day, a look he knew all too well.

Before she could retaliate and even begin to make her move to tease him more, a loud knock sounded at the door.

"You two better not be bangin'. We gotta go, Darleena." Merle's voice yelled from the other side.

Daryl sighed in annoyance and glared at the closed door. Rhiannon smiled and placed her hands on his cheeks, making him look down at her.

"Be safe out there and don't be late. I need you back here cause we have big plans for tonight."

Daryl's expression smoothed out, before he smirked bashfully, realizing the gravity of her words. It wasn't just the excitement he got everytime he thought about being intimate with his wife, his hunger for her never dissipated and it was a common feeling. But knowing just why they were doing what they were doing, knowing what would happen, it left him with a nervous excitement that made his heart race in the best way possible.

"I'll see you later." He told her, kissing her quickly, which was interrupted by another loud knock. "I'm comin'!" He yelled to his impatient brother.

"Fuck, this is gonna be a long day." He mumbled, kissing Rhiannon's forehead before finally tearing himself from her side.

"Be careful." She called out one last time as he began to make his way out. He turned and flashed her a smile, one that made her knees weak.

"Always am, Tink."

Rhiannon watched him go with a sad smile, huffing out a loud breath as the door closed behind him. She looked around the now empty kitchen, not used to the new found quiet and solitude. An involuntary smile grew as her eyes scanned her new house, their new house.

They had spent all of the night before getting their stuff moved into their new house, with the rest of their family practically gushing over them taking the next step.

The happy smiles that were sent both her and Daryl's way were never ending.

She made her way upstairs to their bedroom, a giddy smile on her face. The novelty hadn't worn off, knowing they had their own house still sent her reeling. She was happier than she ever thought was possible.

Things were moving forward and after such a long period where she felt that was impossible, she was almost overwhelmed by how happy it made her to be in a new house and preparing for her future with Daryl.

But now, it was time to get serious.

She had to admit, she was nervous. Talking about having a baby was one thing, but taking real steps towards it was another.

Reality was hitting her and it had her feeling anxious, but it wasn't an anxiety that made her fearful or reluctant, it was an anxiety that had her yearning for what came next.

She got dressed quickly and practically skipped down the stairs, leaving the house and making her way towards the family house. She walked in as if she was still living there and waved at Carl who sat on the couch with Judith in his arms.

"Morning." She smiled.

"Morning. Didn't think we'd see you today."

She frowned, giving him a questioning look and Carl shrugged.

"It was something my dad and Carol said."

Rhiannon's eyes widened and she pursed her lips, forcing herself not to say another word that would make Carl realize just what they had been insinuating with the comment. She wished she could've spent all day in bed with Daryl, christening every inch of their new home, but things didn't always work out the way she wanted.

Ignoring the questioning look on Carl's face, she walked into the kitchen, smiling at Michonne who greeted her.

"Have you seen Carol?"

"I think she's helping Olivia in the pantry. Why, what's up?" Michonne asked, looking at her friend curiously as she noticed her tense slightly.

"I was just about to head over to the infirmary." Rhiannon answered slowly. She felt more comfortable asking Carol for company than Michonne. After what Michonne had revealed to her about losing her son after her miscarriage, Rhiannon knew pregnancy and baby talk was hard for Michonne.

Rhiannon knew that feeling well and she didn't want to force it on Michonne.

"Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." Rhiannon waved off her concern. "I just… wanted to… get my implant out."

Rhiannon watched with a wince as Michonne's eyes widened as realization washed over her and her jaw dropped in surprise.

"Holy shit, congratulations!" Michonne smiled widely, getting to her feet and bringing Rhiannon in for a tight hug. "Oh my god, this is huge!"

Rhiannon laughed slightly at her enthusiasm, wondering if she'd pegged the situation wrong. But when she pulled away from the hug, she saw the bleakness in Michonne's eyes, how her smile didn't light up her face as it usually did.

Andre was on her mind and she, once again, was feeling that agonizing longing that made her chest feel tight.

"Do you need someone to come with you?" she asked, after clearing the lump from her throat.

Rhiannon's face softened. "You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

"Mich-"

"Rhiannon, I'm fine. I wanna be there for you." Michonne insisted. "Honestly, all this baby talk with Maggie and now you, it makes me feel closer to Andre."

Rhiannon smiled and lunged forward to hug her again. She was so thankful for Michonne and how supportive she always was. She was relieved to know her friend was ok, that her loss didn't continue to bog her down like it had in the past.

"I still can't believe this." Michonne beamed as they walked to the infirmary. "I mean, I'm so happy for you guys, I just figured Daryl would be freaking out about this."

"Oh, he definitely was." Rhiannon laughed. "We were up practically all night talking about it, but we both agreed that this is what we want."

"Well, I'm happy for you two. You guys deserve this."

They soon made it to the infirmary, startling the nervous Denise who was still trying to adjust to her new role.

"Hey, sorry for just dropping in. Do you have some time?"

"Uhh, yeah, yes, of course." Denise rambled, gesturing for Rhiannon to take a seat. "Is everything ok?" She asked, her eyes flitting between Rhiannon and Michonne, two strong women that she was more than a little intimidated by.

"Yeah, everything's fine, I just…" Rhiannon trailed off, looking to Michonne for help as she suddenly became incredibly nervous. Michonne smiled softly, giving the encouragement she needed. "I was wondering if you could take my implant out." She said slowly, wringing her fingers together anxiously.

Denise's eyes widened as she looked at the woman with a growing smile, surprised by her request which was the last thing she had expected to hear.

"Oh wow, ok, yeah, of course I can help you with that."

Rhiannon let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The possibility that it hadn't been an option, that Denise wouldn't be able to do this for them, had sent her heart racing. But the relief that flowed through her like a tidal wave had her calming immediately.

Despite everything, despite the state of the world, she was able to get what she wanted, what she longed for. It seemed like a miracle.

"Thank you." She told the doctor genuinely, her voice holding every grateful emotion she was feeling.

Denise smiled bashfully at her praise. When she worked with Pete, she never got to do anything, she certainly never got thanked for anything, and it sent a rush of excitement to her that she could do something for the woman in front of her, someone she looked at as light years more capable than she thought she could ever be.

The women were silent as Denise got to work. Michonne sat next to Rhiannon, her hand in hers, a giddy smile on her face.

"You ok?" She asked when she saw the nervous expression on her friend's face.

Rhiannon looked up and nodded slowly. "Yeah, it's just… hitting me all of a sudden, what we're doing, what's gonna happen next."

"It's ok to be scared. It'd be strange if you weren't terrified, actually." Michonne laughed, squeezing tighter to Rhiannon's hand in assurance. "You two are ready for this, you know that."

"Yeah, we are." Rhiannon said quietly, as if to herself.

It was quiet again as Denise continued to work. Suddenly, Michonne and Rhiannon tensed as footsteps came from the other room. They knew Denise didn't live with anyone and they were immediately on edge.

Michonne got to her feet, her body tense in preparation.

"Is anyone he-"

Rhiannon didn't even finish her sentence as Tara stepped into the room, still in her sweats and her hair messy from sleep. She stopped in her tracks, her tired expression falling as her eyes widened in shock.

She wondered when she'd get caught.

"W-what are you doing here?" Michonne asked her, looking back at Rhiannon for a moment, as if to confirm she was seeing the same thing she was.

"Uhh, hi guys. What are you doing here?" Tara asked, trying to sound casual to hide her sudden nerves.

"No, no, I asked you first."

Tara sighed and looked at Michonne pleadingly. "We didn't really want to tell everyone yet." She muttered.

"Oh, oh." Rhiannon suddenly realized, looking at Tara and to Denise who was blushing fiercely. "Well, congratulations, you two." She smiled, which faded quickly when Tara placed her head in her hands in embarrassment. "We won't tell anyone, promise."

"You better not. I know where you live, Greene." Tara threatened playfully and Rhiannon rolled her eyes.

"It's Dixon now." She corrected smugly, making the women burst out laughing.

"What's going on here?" Tara asked, watching Denise curiously. Her eyes suddenly widened as she saw the implant being removed. "Holy shit." Tara breathed out, looking to Rhiannon in disbelief.

Rhiannon just nodded in affirmation to her silent question. She was sure she'd be having a lot of similar conversations in the coming future. They made the decision quickly and she was sure a lot of people would be surprised.

"Alright, you're all set." Denise soon announced as she patched up the mark on Rhiannon's arm.

"Thanks again, Denise. I can't tell you how thankful I am for this."

Denise just shrugged bashfully. "Don't mention it, just doing my job."

Rhiannon looked down at the implant that sat on the medical tray next to her. She let out a deep breath, a rush of excited nerves coursing through her. She wished Daryl would get his ass back here.

"So, how long is it gonna take for the hormones to be out of my system and I can get pregnant?"

"Well, it's different for everyone. It could be right away, could be a few weeks or a few months. But, I mean, you should still, you know… try in the meantime." Denise answered, becoming slightly awkward at the mention of her having sex with Daryl.

"Right." Rhiannon laughed.

"Don't think they'll have a problem with that." Michonne muttered under her breath, but loud enough for Rhiannon to hear and she sent a playful scowl her way.

"Ok, like you and Rick aren't seconds from going at it."

Michonne's eyes widened and she sputtered for a few moments as she tried to gather her whirlwind of thoughts.

"Oh come on, don't act surprised. We all see how you two are together. It's only a matter of time before you two jump each other's bones."

Michonne rolled her eyes, finally over her initial shock. "You're ridiculous. Tara, tell her she's crazy."

"Well…" Tara dragged out with a smile and Michonne looked at her in surprise. "It's not that crazy. You two are close. You'd be good with each other."

"See?" Rhiannon goaded triumphantly.

"You know what, you can walk home alone, missy." Michonne teased, wanting to get out of the room as quickly as possible so no one would see her blush. She didn't want them to know just how much her heart raced at the notion of her and Rick together.

She rolled her eyes halfheartedly, smiling softly as she heard the laughter behind her as she closed the door.

"Alright, well I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." Rhiannon teased the blushing couple in front of her as she hopped down from the examination table. "Seriously, though, I'm happy for you two."

"You too. I can't wait to see you and Daryl attempt to handle a child." Tara mused sarcastically, making Rhiannon bark out a laugh.

"Shady bitch." Rhiannon muttered with a laugh.

"Love you!" Tara called out exaggeratedly as Rhiannon walked out the door. Rhiannon threw up her middle finger and smiled at her affectionately before closing the door behind her.

Rhiannon was practically itching with impatience as she began to walk back towards her new shared house with Daryl. She was cursing herself for convincing Daryl to go hunting that morning.

Now that her implant was out, there was nothing stopping them from moving forward. Even with the sadness of all their losses weighing her down, she knew it wouldn't stop her from going for what she truly wanted.

Of course, she was still mourning her dad and Beth, of course Alex being in Alexandria made her face a lot of things she didn't want to face, but they only made her want to have a baby all the more.

The fear over her endometriosis was still there, it made her nervous and fearful of failure, but it wouldn't stop her from trying.

Her downfalls made her want to prove that she could do this, that she could be a good mom and that she was capable of giving all her love to a new life.

She couldn't wait.

Suddenly a voice from across the street called out to her. Rhiannon tensed, instinctively reaching for her sword, before remembering that she didn't have it with her. She turned on her heel and watched with a narrowed gaze as a familiar redhead jogged towards her.

Rhiannon suddenly felt dread settle on her chest. She had no idea why Alex's new girlfriend was seeking her out and she didn't think she wanted to know.

"Hey." The woman smiled sweetly, slightly out of breath.

"Hi... Cassie, right?"

"Yeah, hi, we didn't really get a chance to meet properly." She stuck her hand out and Rhiannon hesitated slightly before shaking her hand cordially.

"Is there something you need?"

Cassie's bright smile faded quickly and she lowered her gaze. "Can I… can we maybe talk?"

Rhiannon's face twisted in confusion. She tried, but there was no way to hide her facial expressions and just how much she didn't want to speak to her.

"Please, I have questions and you're the only one that can answer them." She pleaded and Rhiannon sighed heavily in frustration.

"So this is about Alex." Rhiannon noted.

"I tried to ask Rob but he wouldn't tell me anything. I know you two dated and I just… the way you are with him, the way he looks at you… I need to know what happened. I deserve to know."

"Have you asked him what happened?"

Cassie nodded, a look of sadness flashing across her face. "He won't say anything."

Rhiannon watched her carefully and as much as she didn't want to feel anything, she felt bad for the woman. She had no idea just who she was with, who she was letting into her bed and into her life.

She was right, she deserved to know.

"Come on." Rhiannon muttered and motioned for Cassie to follow her and they both started towards her house.

It was awkward between the two women as Cassie hesitantly stepped inside. Rhiannon was regretting her decision immediately as she closed the door behind her, leaving her alone with her ex's new lover.

"This is a nice place. You and your husband just moved in recently, right?" Cassie asked politely, trying to break the ice from the uncomfortable tension between them, one she didn't understand.

Rhiannon clenched her jaw, finding herself unable to be polite and respectable.

"So, what do you want to know?" She asked abruptly, ignoring Cassie's question.

Cassie blanched slightly at Rhiannon's tone and averted her gaze uncomfortably. She was quickly regretting her rash decision to approach the scorned woman.

"I know something happened between you and Alex. I know you two dated before and it's clear it ended badly." She started and Rhiannon scoffed lightly at her words.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." Rhiannon said bitterly, sarcasm laced in her voice.

"Look, the man I've chosen to be with has talked non-stop about you, he looks at you everytime you're around, your husband beat the shit out of him and you clearly hate him. I just want to know why." Cassie said straightforwardly, finally letting her reservations go as her desperation became too much to bear.

Rhiannon chewed on her bottom lip nervously, her fingers tapping against the kitchen counter she was leaned against nervously.

"I need to know what I've gotten myself into." Cassie said, trying for an answer when Rhiannon remained silent.

Rhiannon sighed heavily and steeled herself for the memories she buried that she would have to face yet again.

"When Alex and I dated he got addicted to drugs. Not petty ones like coke, bad shit, like crystal and heroin." Rhiannon started and was surprised to see Cassie nod slowly, her expression not changing. She already knew.

Rhiannon suddenly felt the urge to roll her eyes. So Alex could be truthful enough about his addiction but not his domestic violence?

"It affected him, in the worst way possible. He became mean, jealous, degrading. He was a completely different person."

Rhiannon paused, taking in a deep breath in an effort to force herself to stay calm and not let her emotions take over and run rampant.

"He hurt me. He came home completely out of his mind and we got into a fight. He hit me, bent me over a table and put his cigarette out on my skin, carved his initial in my back with a knife."

Rhiannon watched carefully as Cassie's face slowly changed into one of deeper and deeper horror. As if to twist the knife, she turned and lifted her shirt, showing the woman what her new boyfriend had done to her all those years ago.

She heard a soft sniffle and turned back around, letting out a ragged breath as she let her shirt fall, covering her scar and allowing her to breathe once again.

The silence between them was stifling.

Rhiannon couldn't help but feel bad for the woman as she watched her tears fall, the horror on her face as the harsh reality was realized. Cassie knew Alex had to have done something horrible to the woman, but she figured he'd cheated or had been neglectful, she never could have guessed he had been so violent and coldhearted.

It made her suddenly afraid to go home and face him.

Seeing the resignation on her face, like she had already made a decision based on her story, Rhiannon sighed. She didn't want this responsibility on her hands.

"Look, Alex is sober now, has been for a long time and I'm sure he's different."

"But.." Cassie urged her and Rhiannon looked at her questioningly. "You're voice, I know there's a 'but' coming."

"But… he's instigated a lot of fights with me, with my husband. He's called me a slut, he won't leave me alone after I've told him to countless times, and… he hasn't even apologized for what he did to me." Rhiannon continued, giving the woman the full truth. "So if that changes things for you, if that makes you believe the kind of man he is, then do something about it."

Cassie looked at Rhiannon intently, her face shadowed with sorrow. She wanted to say sorry, the common phrase for someone who had gone through what Rhiannon went through, even if they hadn't been the one to hurt them, it was just because people usually didn't know what to say in that kind of situation.

But she didn't say it.

And Rhiannon was grateful for it.

"Thank you for telling me. I know that couldn't have been easy, but… I really appreciate it." Cassie told her quietly.

Rhiannon nodded. "I'm just glad you know the truth now. Do what you want with it."

Cassie wrung her hands together anxiously. She knew what she had to do.


Rhiannon was getting more impatient as each minute passed. It was already dark out and Daryl was still out with Merle.

She felt like there were so many things rattling inside her mind, things that made her heart race and her stomach fill with nervous butterflies, and Daryl wasn't there to help.

Her rock was nowhere to be found and she felt stuck.

She knew she could've gone to see Maggie, Carol, or anyone else really. But she didn't. She stayed at home, alone, stewing in her thoughts anxiously.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at her door. She jumped slightly, but calmed herself when she realized it was probably Maggie. This was the first day Rhiannon wasn't completely hovering like a protective mother bear and she was probably worried by her sudden absence.

Rhiannon opened the door and her face dropped, taking an instinctive step backwards as she saw Alex slumped against the door frame, a sickly sweet smile on her face that she saw right through. She could see the derision and anger in his eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just wanna talk. Is that ok?"

"No, it's not. Go." She insisted harshly.

"C'mon baby, I miss you-"

"Don't call me that." Rhiannon hissed angrily. "You're drunk, just go home." She moved to close the door, but he stuck his foot out, stopping it from closing and forced himself inside, making Rhiannon take a large step back to avoid his close proximity.

"I'm mad at you." He slurred drunkenly, slamming the door closed behind him and taking a menacing step towards her.

Rhiannon watched with dismay as he had to hold onto the wall beside him to keep him standing straight. It was already hard to reason with him, but with his drunken state, it would be near impossible.

"Alex, please just-"

"Cassie broke up with me today." He blurted out.

Rhiannon held back the urge to roll her eyes and she crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. "That's not my problem. Get out."

Alex laughed darkly, shaking his head and pointed a threatening finger at her as he began to walk towards her slowly, making her back up into the living room.

"No, no, that's where you're lying. You talked to her today. You told her all of your bullshit and she got scared and she dumped me."

"My bullshit?" Rhiannon echoed in disbelief and shook her head with a scoff. "You're so fucking delusional." She muttered.

"I don't get why you gotta stick your nose where you don't belong. You always do this, you always ruin everything. You think you have all the answers and that you're some perfect-"

"You know what you did to me, Alex. That's not bullshit, that's not an exaggeration, that's not anything but the truth. And the truth is that you're a piece of shit. Cassie deserved better and she figured that out. You have no one to blame but yourself."

Alex stared at her for a while, each second that passed only putting her on edge more and more. His gaze made her shift uncomfortably, wanting nothing more than to tear her own skin off.

It made her sick to think that he had once touched her the way she allowed Daryl to touch her.

"Alex, I'm not gonna ask again, leave."

Alex's face twisted with anger once again and he shook his head.

"Why, your redneck's gonna come home soon? You gonna fuck him and think of me?"

Rhiannon's face fell and she clenched her jaw, forcing herself not to fall into his trap, not to get angry, which was exactly what he wanted from her.

"I know you think of me. That mark on your back, how can you not think of me? I'm always gonna be there, every time he touches you, every time he fucks you, it won't matter, it won't change anything. It's my mark on your skin, not his."

"You're a psychopath." Rhiannon muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose as soon as she felt her eyes stinging with the need to cry.

"It kills you, doesn't it, knowing that he wasn't the first man you loved. It drives him crazy too, doesn't it? I will always be the first man you loved, the first man you trusted. You can't take that back." He goaded her darkly.

He took small, slow steps towards her as he spoke, making her back up everytime he inched closer, until her back hit the wall behind her, leaving her unable to move away.

"Alex-"

"Shut up." He snapped at her. "I don't get what you see in him. You know he can't be there for you like I can, he can't fuck you like I can."

Rhiannon's expression twisted into one of anger and she stared up at him defiantly. "You're right. He doesn't fuck me like you can, because he can fuck me better than you ever could."

Alex's face darkened even further, pure rage flashing in his eyes and he took the final step forward, pressing himself completely against her, his hands holding onto her arms tightly, making her go rigid and turn her head to the side to avoid his piercing gaze.

"You little-"

The front door opened and heavy footsteps entered the house and stopped immediately.

Daryl's eyes widened in horror for a moment before they narrowed and darkened with fury at the sight in front of him. He raised his crossbow, aiming it at Alex without a second of hesitation.

"Get your hands off her." He spat out angrily.

Alex took a step back, stumbling slightly on the carpet below him. "Hey, man, it's cool. We were just talking."

"You better get the fuck out of this house 'fore it's too late." Daryl threatened, keeping his weapon trained on the man.

"C'mon, you really gonna shoot-"

"You got five seconds, asshole!" Daryl yelled.

Alex grit his teeth, looking back at Rhiannon who was practically cowering in the corner, her wide eyes flitting between Daryl and Alex nervously.

"Alright." Alex mumbled and began to make his way towards the door. He stopped, looking back at Rhiannon again. "Hey, think about what I said." He told her and smiled widely as her face fell and her eyes moved away from his.

Daryl lowered his bow, his deadly glare following Alex as he made his way out of the room. Alex looked at Daryl intently as he passed, before he smiled again and shook his head, like he knew a secret the hunter didn't.

"Have a good night." Alex called out and slammed the door closed behind him.

Rhiannon let out a harsh breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and felt herself slide down the wall until she met the floor below her, her trembling legs unable to keep herself up.

Over the buzzing in her ears, she could faintly hear rushed footsteps and soon Daryl was kneeling in front of her, his worried gaze on hers.

"You ok? He touch you?"

Rhiannon shook her head, but Daryl looked unconvinced. The way she was practically shaking had him reluctant to believe her.

"He was just talking shit, saying… a lot of things." She said, keeping her words vague so she didn't have to tell Daryl what he'd said, what he'd taunted her with.

"Rhi-"

"I'm ok." She interrupted and moved to get back to her feet.

Daryl reached out, taking her hands in his tightly and helped her stand. He kept his hands in hers, pulling her into his strong chest and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Rhiannon let out a shaking breath and hugged him back just as tightly, letting the steady thump of his heart, which was slightly faster than usual, lull her back into calmness.

"You sure you're ok?" He asked again and she nodded.

"I'm ok now." She assured him.

He pulled away from the hug, but kept his arms around her. "I'm gonna talk to Rick, tell him to make sure that asshole keeps-"

"No, please, don't." She pleaded and he looked down at her in disbelief. "Not now Just… stay here, with me."

Daryl sighed and he guided her into his arms again, holding her just like she needed.

"I ain't goin' anywhere." He whispered and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.


Rhiannon had been off all night. She'd been unusually silent through dinner, the conversation relying solely on Daryl, which had him baffled and slightly out of his element.

Alex's drunken visit had shaken her deeply.

Dary felt helpless about what to do, how to help her. He was willing to put a bolt in the man and be done with it, but leaving Rhiannon's side was out of the question.

Once they had finished eating, Rhiannon stood to clear the plates, but Daryl stopped her.

"I got this. You sit, relax."

Rhiannon hesitated for a few seconds before giving in. "I'm gonna take a shower." She spoke quietly and was out the room and making her way up the stairs before he could say another word.

Daryl sighed, leaning on the counter, bowing his head between his arms in defeat. He didn't know what to do. He tried to ask her, not wanting to pry too hard, but wanting to know exactly what it was he had said to her that had her so upset so he could help, but she wasn't budging.

He wanted Alex gone, but he didn't know what the repercussions of killing someone she used to care about would be.

It didn't matter that Rhiannon hated him so vehemently now, he was still a part of her past, he was her ex. That would affect her in ways he didn't want to face, so he held back every instinct that told him to kill the man.

He worked with a mind full of thoughts he couldn't truly decipher, until the kitchen was sparkling clean.

He made his way up the stairs slowly, noting that the shower was no longer running. He stepped into the dimly lit room quietly, his eyes searching for her. He saw the light from the bathroom and walked until he was leaning against the door.

She hadn't noticed his presence yet as she looked at herself in the mirror as she applied her moisturizer. He watched her carefully as her expression shifted just the slightest as her fingers ran over the faded scar on her cheek.

The mark from the Governor that had killed her father, the mark that was almost gone, as if that glaring reminder of that day hadn't been there in the first place.

Daryl watched as her eyes searched her own expression in the mirror, before her expression shifted again, falling into something darker and more contemplative as her hand fell from her cheek and slowly moved to her back.

Rhiannon gently brushed her fingers over the raised skin on her back, making her breath hitch at the feeling.

Alex's words wouldn't leave her mind.

She hated that he was right. She did think of him in moments with Daryl when she shouldn't. She realized that, despite the fact that she found doggy style to be one of her favourite positions in bed, it was never something she had done with Daryl or anyone since Alex, after he had scarred her.

Her scar had kept her from it.

She admitted to herself that there had been moments of hesitation and fear with Daryl when they were getting intimate. There was sometimes worry that he would turn her over and take her that way, where her scar would be on display. That was when Alex would creep into her mind and she hated it.

Daryl had never once pushed to have her that way, he never even questioned her about it. She wondered if he had even noticed that it wasn't something they had done.

She wondered if he knew just how much Alex still lingered in her mind even when she hadn't even realized.

"Hey." Daryl's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she dropped her hand from her back, turning her head to look at him as he eyed her like he could hear her thoughts.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough." He shrugged as he stepped into the bathroom to stand next to her. "Now, I'm gonna ask you again and I want you to be honest this time. Are you ok?"

Rhiannon sighed heavily and bit her lip as her eyes slowly raised to meet his.

"No, not really." She answered quietly.

"What are you thinkin' about?"

Rhiannon paused, trying to put all her feelings into intelligible words, which was harder than she thought it would be.

"I thought, for a long time, that I'd never have to think of him again, let alone see him and talk to him. I thought, since I left him, that I was over it, that I had moved on from that night. But he kept saying that he knew I thought of him, that he would always be on my mind, and-" She stopped, taking a shudder breath. "-And he was right."

Daryl looked down at her questioningly, his heart beginning to race inside his chest. She thought of him? The possibility that Alex was still in her mind made his insecurities raise their ugly heads and he was suddenly feeling panicked.

"I'm so secretive about the scar. It took me a long time to tell you about it, I tense every time you even graze it." She explained slowly, making him calm, only slightly, at the knowledge that his initial insecurities were wrong.

"You don't gotta be ashamed of that. Scars ain't exactly somethin' you wanna announce to the world."

"But it's you." She whispered. "You let me touch yours, you told me you feel like I can heal them when I touch them. I don't know why I can't let myself feel that."

"People are different. Mine happened a long time ago and I don't gotta face the man that gave me mine." He told her, reaching up to cradle her cheek softly. "Do you know how strong you are bein' able to even face that son of a bitch? That's somethin' I don't think I could do."

Rhiannon looked up at him and the genuine and pure love she saw in his gaze had her tense body relaxing, her heart rate slowing, her mind easing.

"You don't gotta be comfortable with it if you don't want to. Don't force it."

Rhiannon nodded thoughtfully, before taking his arm and winding it around her waist, making sure his hand was right over her deepest secret. She didn't want any reservations, not with him. She didn't want to give Alex any power anymore.

Daryl let out a deep breath and looked at her intently, smiling softly at her silent show of growth and acceptance.

"You trust me?"

"Always." She whispered and was left breathless the second his lips touched hers. He kissed her so delicately, like he was afraid of breaking her. He moved his body so he stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist like an anchor, keeping her steady and balanced.

He pulled away slowly, their eyes locked and it felt like there was a connection that had never been there before, one even more solidified and strong and filled with love and desire and need.

Daryl's fingers caught on the hem of his shirt that she wore. He looked at her questioningly and she nodded, slowly raising his arms, allowing him to pull it up and over her head, leaving her bare to him.

As soon as it was off, he unbuttoned his own, shrugging it off his shoulders, leaving their scars equally exposed.

Daryl leaned down, moving her hair over one shoulder, exposing her expanse of perfectly bare skin and began to press soft and light kisses on her neck, moving down to her shoulder and back up to her neck.

His hands roamed over her waist and hips and up to her breasts. Rhiannon's breath hitched at the gentle touch, involuntary tensing at the pleasure until his hands moved again. His fingers gently trailed down the length of her spine, making her shiver, goosebumps rising on her skin from his light touch.

But she began to tense as he got closer to her lower back, close to her scar.

"It's ok." Daryl whispered. "Tell me to stop and I will."

Rhiannon shook her head, not wanting this to continue to burden her. She needed to take this step.

Daryl's hand continued it's path until he lay his palm flat against her scar. Rhiannon let out a shaking breath, her hands clenching on the counter top in front of her, her eyes screwing shut as she forced thoughts of Alex and that violent night out of her mind.

Now, it was only Daryl. She knew she would never have a night like that again.

"Open your eyes." Daryl urged her softly. Rhiannon's eyes opened slowly, meeting his gaze in the mirror from over her shoulder. "It's just me."

Rhiannon seemed to relax all at once as they watched each other. His hand on her scar no longer felt taboo or a step too far. It felt right. He was her husband, the man who helped her through this entire journey.

She didn't have to hide anything from him.

It felt like a release.

"Please." She breathed out, her body suddenly alight with desire.

"Please what?"

"I need you."

Daryl's breath hitched at the sound of voice laced with so much want, he found it hard to believe it was directed at him.

Without any hesitation, he shed himself of the rest of his clothes, pressing his body into hers, his own body thrumming with desire at the sound of her keening moan at his slightest touch.

But he hesitated. This was a far cry from what he had planned with this little exercise. He didn't want her judgement to be clouded, this was still a big step for her.

"You sure?" He asked her, needing her confirmation.

Rhiannon leaned her head back against his shoulder, her eyes boring into his own.

"Make me yours." She purred and Daryl was sure there was no one in the entire world that would be able to resist her in that moment.

He groaned and leaned down, crashing his lips to hers fiercely. Their lips and tongues met in a fiery fight of passion and need, leaving them both breathless and aching for more.

His arm wound around her waist, holding her body against his as his other hand slithered up past her chest and the length of her neck as he held onto her jaw, holding her in place as he kissed her with abandon, making her head spin at the hold he had over her.

Rhiannon's arm reached out around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair.

Their lips parted, her voice cracking on a surprised moan as his fingers met her wet heat. She grinded her hip, willing him to do more, to touch her, to do anything. He pushed two fingers inside her, making her rise on her tiptoes, her head falling back against his shoulder again as a shaking breath escaped her parted lips.

"Daryl, please." She whined as his fingers worked her slowly. She felt him smirk against her, his lips attaching to her neck, sucking and biting in ways that left her trembling against him.

With a huffed breath at his teasing, she reached behind her, finding his hard length. He jerked at her first touch and pulled away from her neck, letting out panting breaths as she began to stroke him firmly.

She was driving him just as crazy as he was driving her. Neither could wait any longer.

"You sure?" He asked again, his voice shaking slightly as her hand still worked him slowly.

"Yes."

Nodding in relief, he removed his fingers, reaching up to take them into his mouth and get a taste of the most divine thing he'd ever had the pleasure of tasting, but she stopped him, grabbing his wrist and taking his fingers in her own mouth.

Daryl's jaw dropped as he watched her taste herself and he growled, a rumbling in his chest that she felt at her back, making her smile delightedly.

"Fuck." He muttered and grabbed her wrist, stopping her movements on his cock. He was just about ready to explode and he'd be damned if he let this end too soon.

Rhiannon tensed slightly as he looked down as he aligned himself with her. Through her haze of lust, that moment of panic returned at the realization of how new this was, of what she was putting on display.

Daryl, feeling her tense, placed his hand on her back, his fingers rubbing gently in a soothing rhythm and stopped before he could enter her.

"We don't have to do it like this." He assured her, moving to pull away, but she pushed her hips back, grinding against his hard cock, making his eyes squeeze shut as he hissed in pleasure through gritted teeth.

"I want you to take me like this." She told him, pushing past her fears she so desperately wanted to get over.

Daryl breathed deeply, hoping he wouldn't mess this up and blow his load straight away. He pushed into her slowly, his eyes falling closed at the feeling so indescribably amazing it left him clear of all thoughts.

Rhiannon's lips parted, a quick breath escaping her at the feeling of him inside her. She didn't think she'd ever get used to how good he felt. Daryl was slow, moving just inch by inch, the most pleasurable torture she'd ever experienced.

Once he was seated all the way inside her, he let out a ragged breath, his eyes still firmly shut as he forced himself to relax and calm his racing heart.

"Daryl, please." Rhiannon whined, her hips circling in an effort to coax him to move. Daryl groaned loudly, his hands gripping her hips tightly as he slowly began to pull out before pushing back in firmly.

Rhiannon yelped, bracing herself against the counter for stability. He felt even deeper in this position and it made her see stars.

"You ok?" He asked worriedly, his voice breathless and strained.

"Don't stop." She begged, pushing her hips back again to meet his. Daryl felt his vision blur and he grit his teeth as she moved.

"Fuck." He muttered and began to thrust into her steadily.

They were both panting heavily, Daryl grunting at each inward stroke, Rhiannon whining every time he moved. Her previous reservations were nowhere to be found as he took her slowly and intimately.

Her mind spun as he fucked her in the perfect way.

"Daryl, yes! Just like that!" She moaned as he hit that perfect spot inside her each time that made her legs tremble.

Daryl groaned, his eyes squeezing shut again. The image of her in front of them, her backside pressed against him, every one of her blissed out expressions reflecting in the mirror, it was all too much and not enough all at once.

He would lose it too soon if he kept watching her face twist with pleasure and her body writhe against him.

His hand that held to her waist moved and her gently grazed his thumb against her scar, making her shudder, but this time in pleasure rather than fear. She raised her head the same moment he dared to open his eyes, their gazes meeting in the mirror.

It was electric between them as he moved inside of her, their eyes locked onto each other as they made love so passionately and fervently. Nothing would stop them, nothing ever would and it left them both shaking in pleasure.

Rhiannon, remembering something from her past encounters, decided it was time to up the ante. She hiked her leg upwards, bending her knee on the counter, allowing Daryl to reach even deeper at an angle they'd never felt before.

Daryl swore loudly, his head falling back and his jaw dropping at the feeling.

"God, Rhi, you- fuck! So good, so good." He rambled breathlessly, his moments becoming slightly jerky and erratic as he felt closer to losing the shred of control he held on to.

It was taking a monumental amount of effort to not just pound into her like he was so used to doing. But now wasn't the time for that. He wanted to be gentle, take it slower than usual, show her just how much he cared for her, how much he loved every inch of her body.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." He panted, his mind hazy.

Rhiannon leaned down on her elbows, her brows furrowing her and lips parting with a choked moan. She felt stretched in the most delightful way possible.

"Oh god, Daryl, please." She pleaded, not knowing exactly what for. All she knew was it was becoming too much to handle and she never wanted it to end.

"Look at me." He panted, his voice low and raspy. Rhiannon whined, raising her head and as soon as her eyes met his, he thrusted hard, jolting her body forward and making her eyes fall closed in bliss.

"Look at me." He demanded again.

Rhiannon forced her eyes open, moaning his name desperately as they looked at each other. He shifted his hips slightly and on his next inward thrust, she screamed, him having found exactly where she needed him to be.

He watched with rapt attention as her eyes rolled back, her mouth hung open as he took her so well. He knew he would never see anything as perfect as what he was seeing now.

"Oh god, oh god, please, right there." She babbled almost incoherently.

Daryl grit his teeth, moving steadily. He reached down, his hands tangling in her hair, pulling it into a makeshift ponytail and he pulled, hard. Rhiannon let out another scream of pleasure and pushed her hips back against his.

He grunted loudly, a whispered curse following swiftly as he began to feel the end nearing.

"Faster." She pleaded and he met her eyes in the mirror again. She nodded at his silent question of assurance and he just about lost his mind.

He pulled her hair again as he began to thrust into her faster, making her hips smack against the counter in front of them. She whined each time and scrambled for purchase, one hand gripping the counter and the other falling back to hold onto his thigh.

His one hand left the tight grip on her hair to reach for her raised knee, pushing it even further on the counter, spreading her even wider for him. She squealed at the feeling, clenching around his hard length.

She felt all control surrendering to him and she was not complaining in the slightest.

"Fuck, 'm gonna cum." He warned breathlessly, moving faster in desperation for release.

"Oh god, yes, yes, yes." She moaned breathlessly, feeling herself on the cusp of her climax. "Daryl, Daryl!" She screamed and her body hurdled into blinding ecstasy.

Her hand slapped against the mirror, needing something to hold onto as her body shuddered and writhed as she came hard.

Daryl's body tensed, her non-stop moaning and whining his name pushing him over the edge. He eagerly grabbed her waist, hauling her up against his chest as he frantically thrusted into her in his final moments.

He grunted loudly, his arm laid over her chest to hold her to him. A harsh moan of her name escaped him before he let out a ragged cry of pleasure as he came. He squeezed his eyes shut, letting his forehead fall to her shoulder as he thrusted shallowly, riding them both through the aftershocks as waves of pleasure continued to roll through them until they were both spent and shaking.

They were both panting heavily, grabbing onto each other tightly. Daryl slowly leaned down, letting her slowly move her leg back down. She was tentative, not trusting her legs to keep her standing.

"Fuck." She whispered, leaning back against his strong chest. Her fingers lightly trailed up and down his arm that was still wrapped around her tightly and she marveled at the way the hair on his arm stood up at her touch.

Daryl just nodded in agreement, unable to find words. He had a look of awe in his eyes that made her stomach twist in triumph that she had done that to him.

She smiled widely, leaning her head back on his shoulder and he looked down at her.

"It's... " She paused, still trying to catch her breath. "It's never been like that with anyone before." She admitted quietly.

Daryl blushed slightly and his eyes bashfully left hers.

"You have no idea what you do to me, do you?" She whispered in amazement. Daryl slowly met her gaze again, his cheeks and neck still flushed with her words.

"Think I got an idea." He said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It's the same damn thing you do to me."


This took forever and I'm sorry. Please accept this filthy smut as my apology xx