A/N- I am sad to see this installment of my series almost to a close. BUT I have things planned while we wait for Season 3. Let's jump in, shall we?
I slowly open my eyes, groaning a bit as my forehead presses against Daryl's bare chest. He was snoring slightly, arm laying over me holding me close to him. The sun was up, I could hear faint voices. I wanted to force myself back to sleep, not wanting to leave the warm embrace of my own personal "heater." My eyes were still red from the tears I shed for Dale; it seemed like every other day we lost someone. The more I thought, the more tears started pressing their way from my eyes. I choke a bit as I started sobbing. That's when I felt it, arms holding me tighter, lips pressed to my forehead. I tilt my head to meet blue eyes. His thumb wiping away my tears, voice softly reassuring me things would be ok; Dale didn't want us to cry for him. Telling me Dale would want us to push on, to survive. I nod softly as I take a deep breath. There I laid in silence, in the arms of my hunter for I don't know how long, until he broke the silence.
"You ok, Murph?" He asked.
"I will be as long I got my tough mean redneck around." I sigh, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yer crazy woman." He smirked softly.
"But I'm your crazy woman." I say softly.
"Always." He assured me.
He kissed me gently, running his hand through my hair. I felt like I could take anything on with him by my side. There was a knock at the door, Abby's voice asking if we were awake, then saying Shane was taking a group down to clear the parameter around the farm. Daryl tells her we'll be down in a minute. Abby says ok as unwillingly pull myself from Daryl's arms, to which he offers a grunt at the loss of contact. I slowly stand up; Daryl climbs to his feet as well.
My body was still sore, my eye still black and bruises still a deep purple. I stuff my feet into my boots as Daryl slips his shirt back on. He reaches for my gun holster, helping me slip it on before I holster my eagles to my side. He looks at me; I smile weakly as we exit the room. Rick wanted to have a small service first; we all agreed and helped dig a grave for Dale. There were tears, unbelief that he was really gone. I hold tight to Daryl's hand as Rick speaks, saying we will move on, we will make this group whole again. We all agree, we had to do this for Dale.
Afterwards, Shane, Andrea, Daryl, T-Dogg, Abby and I climb into the truck and head out. Abby between Shane and Andrea, I sit between Daryl's legs, still wanting contact with him. I was never really so clingy, but today I needed it and he obliged me. We jump from the truck; a group of walkers were huddled together. We were armed with shovels, pitchforks and axes. I held on to my katana and we went to work, dismembering the walkers. Honestly it was a bit more violent than normal, but they were the scape goats for our anger and frustration.
I swing my katana, taking the head clear off a walker. I move to stab the blade through its skull. I kept stabbing, I was finally pulled away by T-Dogg, there was just a bloody mushy pile of walker head now. I fling the excess blood off my blade before looking at the others. We look around, canvasing for other walkers, driving around the entire parameter of the farm, leaving no stone unturned.
When we arrive back everyone else was gathered, Hershel wanted us to move into the house, keep everyone safe. We all agreed we had to stay on our toes. Shane offers to help Abby as I follow Daryl to get our things. I was still weary of the tent as we approached. I bite my lip, even if everything was clean, his body gone; the memory hit me like a freight train. I silently try and will myself, taking baby steps as I did.
"You ok, O'Connor?" Daryl asked.
"I am, just, remembering." I say softly.
"It's ok, Murph, he can't hurt ya no more. We can make new memories." He said innocently.
I smile; Daryl had been the only guy to ever make me smile like a loon. I sigh softly nodding as I continued to walk. We packed everything up; Daryl made a trip to the house with most of our things as I stuffed clothing in to duffel bags. I look around, smiling as Shane passes in a car. The roar of Daryl's bike brings me outta my thoughts. He helps me load up and I climb onto his bike, heading back towards the house.
It was going to be a tight fit, 14 people in one house. We listen to Rick give out instructions; tell us what needed to be done. We all nod, he asked Abby and I to check over the weapons, clean them and make sure they were ready to be used. We nod, before helping load things into the house. Hershel was nice enough to offer Daryl and I one of the small bedrooms, saying we needed our privacy. I smile, thanking him for his hospitality.
I slowly carry stuff up the stairs, Daryl following close behind me. I sit stuff by the door, we didn't have much. We threw out the bloody sheets; there were fresh ones on the bed. I watch Daryl carry in the last bit of stuff we had as I look around, I was relaxed a bit, maybe because we had a game plan. Daryl says he is going to go talk to Rick; I nod softly, saying I was going down to help Abby get started on cleaning the weapons. He nods, kissing me on the forehead before we walk out of the room.
Daryl heads towards Rick, I head towards the kitchen. Abby was already there and had the bag of guns out, but at the moment was taking apart her eagles to clean and inspect. I sit down across from her, siting my eagles down on the table. She smiles at me as she looks up.
"Good thing we're quick at this." She joked.
"John taught us well." I say with a smile.
"He did. He would be proud." She says.
"He would." I say softly.
"Know you're weapon like you know yourself." She says.
"Or it will come back to bite you in the ass." I answer.
We laugh a bit, that was John's little speech and we followed it to the tee. We go about cleaning and inspecting when we are joined by Shane. He looks at us, turning a chair around and sitting in it backwards.
"What can we do for ya, Shane?" I ask softly.
"I, uh, I owe ya both an apology, for the way I been actin'." He said softly.
Abby and I both look at each other and then at Shane. We were a bit shocked, he never really seemed to be one for apologies. Abby glances at him as she cleans the shotgun she had as I take apart a handgun.
"Whatcha apologizing for, Shane?" I ask softly.
"Bein' an ass." Looking at Abby. "For hurting people who have done nothing but be kind to me, even when everyone else wanted to beat me to the ground." He said softly.
"Shane, it's ok." Abby said taking his hand. "I understand, it hurt, yeah, but I know you are still a good man. Nothin' says we can't be friends." She says.
"I'd like that." He said before looking at me. "Can ya forgive me too?" He asked.
"I can if Abby does, but you hurt her again and I'll put a bullet in your ass." I say with a look.
"Yes Ma'am." He smiled at us both.
"You're a good man Shane, just this life is changed us all no one can blame you, it's not been an easy time." I say, kissing his cheek.
He smiles a bit, watching Abby and I work before handing over his own gun to Abby. She smiles, taking it apart and cleaning it as we talked,
"Thanks ladies. I do appreciate it. Glad someone still seems ta care." He said softly.
"You're family Shane. You have a special place in our hearts, just for you. You're like the big brother I never had." I smile as I work on the handgun I held.
"She's right; I forgive you for your mistakes. I just wanna move forward, darlin'." Abby says leaning over to kiss his cheek.
"Me too, sounds like a plan." Shane says.
"Good." Abby said.
Abby smiles as she hands Shane his gun, he nods, kissing her head and then mine, thanking us again before walking away. Abby and I continue working, ensuring every weapon was up to par.
"He really is a good guy, I'm proud of him for admitting his flaws." I say softly.
"Me too, I told him I would never give up on him." She smiled.
"Good, I'm glad everything worked out." I say softly.
"Me too." Abby said softly.
We work in silence. Maggie smiled as she entered about an hour later as we finished up. It was lunch time, she was going to make everyone egg salad. Abby and I offer to her, but Maggie declined, saying she had it. We nod; Abby heads out with the bag of guns as I slide mine back into the holsters on my side. My body was aching like no other, I sigh as walk towards the front door to see Rick walking in.
"Abby should be back outside." I say softly.
"Yeah, just passed her, you ok?" Rick asks.
"Still just sore." I say with my hand on my back.
"You need to rest." He says placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Can't, work to do." I say softly.
"We'll manage head upstairs and rest." He said.
"But…" I start.
"Go Murph, we'll need ya later." He said, gently pushing me towards the stairs.
I laugh, knowing I wasn't going to win this argument. I nod, walking up the stairs to the bedroom I was going to be sharing with Daryl. I lay my holster over the back of the chair in the room. I kick my boots off before plopping down in the bed. I lay, back to the door, trying to find a comfortable position. My whole body hurt. I close my eyes, taking long deep breaths, trying to calm myself.
I hear the door open; judging by the heavy footsteps I knew it was Daryl. I hear the door click closed and soon feel his hand on my hip. I relax a bit under his touch. I roll over on my back to meet blue eyes. I smile softly as he kisses my forehead.
"How ya feelin'?" He asks softly.
"Sore and tired." I answer
"Jus rest then, Murph." He said.
"Stay with me? Please? Just for a bit?" I ask.
He nods, kicking off his boots and climbing into bed. He wraps an arm around my stomach, gently pulling my back against his chest and burying his face in the crook of my neck, kissing it as he did. I cuddle back into his embrace, craving the warmth he was emitting. I close my eyes, listening to his breath match mine. He nuzzles my neck with his nose causing me to tilt my head to give him more access.
He kisses his way up my neck, I whisper his name. Slowly I turn in his arms, lips meeting his. I kiss him long and slow, fingers running through his hair. He holds me to him, fingers running along my back. He goes to pull away, but I moan I needed him into his mouth as I kissed him. He obliged and deepened the kiss. I move my hand down, slowly unbuttoning his shirt and raking my nails down his bare chest.
He props himself above me as I slide his shirt over his shoulders. He tosses it aside as I kiss his neck, running my nails along his back. He growls softly at me. I hold him to me, kissing down his neck and across his shoulder. My eyes meet his again as he pulls me up gently while he sits back on his knees. He pulls my shirt over my head before unclasping my bra revealing my still badly bruised body. Some were still deep purple while others were fading. He growls possessively as he lays me back on the bed. He looked over my body, fingers trailing lightly down my body. He leans down and kisses my neck, his lips gently soothing the fading finger prints bruised into my skin. I tilt my head as he kisses my throat. My body was so sore, but Daryl was setting my nerves on fire, pleasure was slowly over taking the pain.
I sigh under his lips as they trail over my collarbone. I feel his fingers trailing down my side as my head falls back. I lick my lips, asking for more as I feel his lips travel over my breast, this was slow torture. He had me in the palm of his hand and all I could do was whimper his name as his tongue darts out from behind his lips and circles over my breasts. I arch my back into him, begging for more as he gently teases by breast, licking and kissing the bruises that covered them. He slowly makes his way down my body, leaving no bruise un-kissed, no area of skin un-tasted. I run my fingers through his hair as I lift my head to watch him. Slowly he slides my shorts down my hips, kissing down my stomach as he did. I bite down on my lip, lifting my hips as I let him finish sliding my shorts off. He places a trail of kisses across my bruised hips, then moves down one of my thighs. Any bad thought was replaced by the thoughts of how good Daryl's lips felt against my skin.
I lay my head back, my breath hitches when his lips brush against me. I grip his hair, bucking my hips up gently as he teases me. I whimper his name, wanting him to claim me, mark me as his and never let me go. I needed him more than I needed anything else in this life. He was my soul mate; he gave me hope in this hell. He was my blue eyed hunter, my demon chaser, my lover, my friend, my everything. Never would I have thought the man I saw as just a redneck could mean so much to me. I moan softly as he breaks contact with me long enough to stand up and toss his pants aside. He lies back down, positioning himself between my legs as he kisses me. The kiss was long and slow, his tongue exploring my mouth as I feel him thrust inside me, burying himself to the hilt causing me to moan into his mouth. He held me against him, not moving until he knew I was ready. It was funny, he was rough around the edges, rough voice, even rougher hands, but in this moment his hands felt like velvet as the traced my skin. His voice like warm, sweet honey as he whispered his love for me into my ear.
We move in a slow rhythm, he made long, deep thrusts as he kisses my neck. I wrap my arms around him, holding him to me. I move my hips, staying in sync with him. I tilt my head as he licks a trail from the crook of my neck to my ear, then gently bites my earlobe. I rake my nails down his back as we move. He bites my neck, I will him to bite harder, mark me as his. He looks down at me, I nod my head, tell him this is what I want, ask him please, don't deny me this. I rocking my hips with him, loving every time I can feel him move deep inside me.
I bite my lip, willing myself not to scream his name when I feel his teeth bite into my skin just hard enough to leave his mark. He grinds my skin between his teeth, the pain was pleasurable. He releases me, kissing the mark before he looked down at me. I cup his face, kissing his forehead as I wrapped my legs around him, want to him as close as possible. He kisses me, rolling us over as he did.
I look down at him as I keep the deep, slow rhythm we had. Daryl runs his hands up my sides as I rocked my hips into his. I run my hands up through my hair as Daryl leans up to kiss my stomach. I let my head fall back as he licks a trail from my navel, up the valley between my breasts and over my collar bone. I speed up the rhythm as he teases my breasts. I moan his name as I look down and running my fingers through his hair. He looked up at me; I saw love in his eyes as he kissed me long and slow. He had my body on fire; it was like I couldn't get enough of him. I push him down on the bed, licking and biting my way up his chest, claiming him by placing my own bite mark on his right peck. He groans, gripping my hips as I lick my mark.
He rolls us back over, lacing our fingers together as he pinned my hands to the bed above my head. I squirm a bit as he kisses my neck while wrapping my legs around him, wanting to feel as much of him as possible. He growled into my neck, I growled back, it was almost primal and I loved it. I felt him speed up out rhythm, long hard strokes; I tensed under him, feeling him pulling me to the edge with him. He kissed me hard, his right hand gripping my hip as our tongues glided over each other in perfect harmony.
He releases my hands as I lift my hips, running my hand up the back of his neck, gripping his hair as he pressed his lips harder into my. I rake the nails on my free hand down his back. I felt so close, I moaned into the kiss and when Daryl called me his it sent me toppling over the edge at the same time he did. I trembled under him, wave after wave of pleasure coursing through my body.
Daryl slowed his pace as I held him, his forehead resting on my chest. Both breathless, skin glistening. When he lifted his head I saw the love in his eyes. I cup his face, kissing him gently.
"I love you, Dixon." I whisper.
"I love ya too, O'Connor." He said.
"Thank you for saving me." I say, looking into his eyes.
"I didn't do nothing." He said softly.
"Yes you did, you make me whole, make me feel like I'm worthy of love." I say kissing his face.
"'Cause ya are." He said, closing his eyes.
"So are you, Dixon." I say.
"I'll take yer word for it." He said softly.
"Good." I say, kissing him again.
I don't know how long we laid there, wrapped up in each other, but soon Daryl pushed himself up. He looked at me and smiled. I kiss his forehead as I climb to my feet, slowly getting dressed as he does the same. I smile when he helps me slide my gun holster back over my shoulders. He kisses my shoulders, then the back of my head. This moment was perfect, I didn't want it to end, but knew it had to.
Daryl does to speak, but I heard yelling. Daryl looks at me and we bolt from the room, outside to see everyone running to the barn. Daryl and I hurry towards the group as we hear T-Dogg say Randall escaped. "Fuck" I thought to myself, this could spell disaster. Everyone was throwing questions as we searched around wondering how he could have escaped. Daryl and Rick checked the barn, Hershel checked the door. This was too odd.
"RICK….RICK!" We all turned hearing Shane yell.
"What happened?" Lori asked.
"HE'S ARMED, HE'S GOT MY GUN!" Shane yelled.
"You ok?' Carl asked.
Abby ran to Shane to check him over, I step back a bit. I was shocked, but scared at the same time.
"I'm fine; the lil bastard just snuck up on me and caught me in the face!" Shane growled.
Abby checked him over, as Rick told us to get in the house. Shane told Abby he was fine, urging her to follow us in the house. I caught the look in Shane's eyes; it sent a chill up my spine. Rick told everyone to o in the house, asked Daryl and Glenn to come with him and Shane. Daryl nods, I tell him to be careful, he promises.
"Here.." I say handing him one of my eagles.
"No, keep it, you and Abby may both need 'em." He says kissing my forehead.
I nod, leading Abby back to the house. I felt her tremble a bit, hell I think I was trembling too. We gather in the house, Abby and I sit on the floor, pulling our knees to out chests and lacings out fingers together. We silently prayed as everyone's tensions ran high. Something told me the night wasn't going to end well.
A/N- Shane *sobs* I loved him…he was done wrong.