Thank you for the love after the last chapter, it's awesome to know that you guys are out there reading this, really encourages me to keep writing!

This has turned out to be a looong chapter (even after I cut the last third of it to save for the following chapter) - I have no idea where all these words are coming from, but it feels like they need to be there, so... settle in.

Also... this is only my 2nd time writing a smut scene, so I probably haven't done justice to something that I've made you wait 50 chapters for and am super nervous about posting this.

But, anyway, here it is.

(So yeah - smut warning for this chapter and from now on randomly through the story)

Chapter 51 - A car under the stars

Tahlia woke slowly and softly like she was floating up through a cool pool of water, her eyes drifting open as she reached the surface of wakefulness. Still tucked up against Daryl, she snuck a glance at him and saw that he was still asleep. Moving carefully so as not to wake him, she started to get up, but his arms instantly tightened around her.

"Naw." he said, eyes still closed.

She laughed a little. "Can't keep me here all day."

At that, he peeked one eye open. "Why not?"

She poked him in the side. "Because you said this bed was only for sleeping, and I'm awake now so it's gonna get pretty boring pretty quickly."

"You sayin' I'm borin'?" Both eyes open now, wearing a steely look.

"Yeah." smirked Tahlia.

And then she squealed as in one abrupt move, Daryl rolled on top of her, grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand, using the other to tickle her relentlessly as his mouth latched onto her neck, sucking and biting her.

"This borin'? Huh?" he murmured against her skin as she giggled and bucked her body beneath his, trying to wriggle free, but he was holding her fast. "This borin' to you, girl?!"

"Yes!" she gasped through her laughter. "I'd... I'd rather... watch paint... dry!"

Tahlia felt him chuckle against her, then his hand slowed and started lightly drawing lines up and down her side, and in contrast, his mouth moved to hers in a rough kiss, his tongue rolling over hers dominantly.

She bucked her body beneath his again, but for a different reason now.

On its next downward path, his hand kept going and slipped beneath the waistband of her leggings and carried on down her inner thigh tracing the edge of her panties.

He drew his head back to look at her. "How 'bout now?" he asked huskily. "This borin'?"

Through lust-lidded eyes, Tahlia managed a small shake of her head. "More."

So, Daryl moved his hand between her legs to rest right over top of the lace, cupping her lightly, so lightly he was only just touching her, and Tahlia let out a little desperate whimper as she pressed her hips up into his hand.

And she was warm and the lace was damp and his cloak of self-control was already threadbare as it was, so he could only manage a few seconds there without losing it completely, and he quickly dragged his hand out to rest on the safer territory of her side as he kissed her once more.

"Ain't ya meant to be gettin' up?" he asked with a smirk as he dropped his hips down onto hers, his erection straining for attention.

"You seem to have beaten me to it." she teased, rubbing against him. "What are you going to do with that?"

Daryl laughed and swung himself out of the bed, palming his dick into a more comfortable position. "Takin' it back to my cell."

"And then...?" asked Tahlia with an arched brow as she got to her feet.

"Ain't none of ya business." he replied loftily, then grinned and pressed a kiss on her lips. "Catch ya later."

Later turned out to be much later, as both of them were busy right up until the evening.

Dropping down next to Daryl on a sofa in the courtyard, Tahlia let out a happy sigh.

"Been looking forward to this all day."

"Missin' me bad, girl?" he teased.

"I was talking about sitting on this damn comfy couch!" she retorted, soon receiving an elbow in the side in response.

Daryl sank down a bit and leaned into her a little more, enjoying the warmth of her against him. "Ya smell different."

Tahlia glanced up at him. "Good or bad?"

"Y'always smell good. Just different tonight."

"Oh. Well, I'm clean. Scrubbed all the garden off me just before dinner. But it might be this." She held her forearm up to his nose. "Borrowed a little of Beth's coconut body lotion."

Daryl nodded. "Yep. S'that. Hey, was thinkin' we could-" He stopped midsentence as he suddenly realised that given his plan for the evening, he should probably clean himself up a bit as well.

"We could, what?" asked Tahlia, but Daryl was already on his feet.

"I'll come find ya in a bit. Just gotta go do somethin'."

Returning to the courtyard washed and wearing a fresh shirt, Daryl glanced around the group in the den. One person glaringly absent.

Crouching down next to Michonne, he asked quietly, "Where's Tahly?"

"Oh." Michonne said as she took a sip from her mug of tea. "Gone to do watch."

"Huh? She ain't on tonight!"

"Maggie wanted someone to switch with her, so Tahly offered."

"Goddammit!" Daryl cursed under his breath, then nudged Michonne. "Will you go take over from her?"

Michonne snorted at that. "No thanks. You go take over."

"Mich!" exclaimed Daryl in irritation. "I'll do two of your shifts for ya if ya do."

Swiveling a curious glance at him, Michonne arched a brow. "Why?"

"Just... just..." Then Daryl frowned. "'S'it matter? Ya gonna do it or not?"

"No." replied Michonne, deliberately being obstinate. "Not unless you tell me why."

"Naw."

"Well, you know she's going to tell me anyway, so you might as well."

Weighing this up for a moment, Daryl then said, "Only doin' one of your shifts if I tell ya."

Michonne gave him a satisfied smile. "Deal."

Daryl sighed. "Just... kinda set somethin' up."

"What kind of something?" pressed Michonne, intrigued.

"Nothin' much, just like a..." Daryl rubbed at the side of his jaw, shifting uncomfortably. "Like..." Then he stood up with a staunch fold of his arms. "Nah. Forget it." And then he whirled around and started out of the courtyard.

"Daryl!" Michonne called as she jumped up after him, going as fast as she was able without spilling her tea. "Wait!"

It was only once he was out of the courtyard walls that he finally stopped and turned to face her, wearing a guarded look.

"What?"

"Ok, I'll do it." conceded Michonne.

Daryl was still wary. "Ain't tellin' ya nothin'."

Grinning, Michonne nudged him. "That's ok, Tahlia will give me a way more detailed version than you ever would, anyway."

Looking a little horrified at that prospect, Daryl muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like, "Goddamn women." Then louder he said stubbornly, "Still only doin' one of your shifts."

Michonne laughed. "Fine. Come on, let's go to the tower."

With a lantern in hand to light the way, Daryl led Michonne down past the lower fences to the guard tower, and then waited anxiously outside while she went up to get Tahlia.

A few minutes later, Tahlia appeared looking a little bemused by the whole thing.

"Hi! What's going on?"

Daryl ignored her question and responded with one of his own. "What'd Mich say to ya?"

"Nothing." shrugged Tahlia. "Just told me to get out because she's taking over. And that she wants a full rundown tomorrow. What's she on about?"

"Ignore her. C'mon."

Tahlia followed after Daryl back up towards the prison. "But what-"

"Ya need to pee?" Daryl interrupted. "If ya do, do it now."

"Uh... no, I'm good. Went before I headed down to the tower, if you must know."

Then suddenly a thought struck him. "Don't got your period, do ya?"

Her eyebrows shot up and she let out a short laugh at that. "Also no. Why? You think I'm being all snappy or something?"

"Naw." he replied, then eyed her up for a moment, realising that she was probably the most level-mooded and least snappy person he'd ever met.

"What's with all the personal questions then, Dixon?"

"Nothin'. I just... c'mon, this way."

Catching her hand in his, he veered around to the side of the prison, the only light in the pitchy darkness bouncing from the lantern ahead of them and from the stars twinkling in the cloudless night.

Tahlia wanted to keep asking questions, but she knew that she'd get nowhere, so as hard as it was, she kept her mouth shut and let him lead her.

Peering through the gloom, she could make out the crumbling wall of the back courtyard, an area that Rick had originally wanted to clear and make into a usable space, but it was out of sight of the guard tower, and they had just never gotten around to it with other projects taking priority, so it remained unused. Her eyes alighted on the Land Rover that was parked a few yards in front of where they stood. Tahlia was confused. They didn't keep any of the vehicles around here. They didn't keep anything in this area at all.

"Are we going somewhere?" She searched Daryl's face for answers, but it was too dark to find any.

A sudden rush of nervous energy and doubt swept through Daryl. It wasn't too late to turn around and just take her back to the cellblock and forget this. He wouldn't even have to explain himself. But as he turned to Tahlia, patiently waiting at his side, her expression soft and trusting, he reminded himself why he was doing this – because it was her, and she made him want to get things right; made him want to be a better man.

Daryl took a deep breath. "We're already here."

Then he led her to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door, gesturing for her to get in. She shot him a quizzical look but climbed in as he shut the door behind her. Tahlia couldn't see much, only what the faint light of the stars allowed, and it wasn't until Daryl had entered the driver's side and shut his door that she realised she had been holding her breath.

The light from the lantern captured the nervous look on his face until abruptly, he switched it off, dropping them back into darkness. This only lasted for a moment, because in the next, they were bathed in a soft glow again, this time from a string of fairy lights attached around the inside of the cab.

She let out a delighted gasp as she gazed above her at the gently twinkling lights, and then back down at Daryl, astonished. "What is this?!"

He gave a casual shrug. "Needed some kinda lightin' in here. These are the ones from the party. Batteries still good. So."

"Lighting for...?" Only then did she notice that the backseats of the Land Rover had been folded flat, and the back of the vehicle had been turned into a cosy-looking makeshift bed with two mattresses side by side and bedding from the cells.

Biting back a smile, Tahlia feigned wide-eyed shock. "Oh. My. God. You wouldn't be trying to bed me now, would you, Mr. Dixon?"

Daryl groaned and rubbed his forehead. "Y'always gotta make it weird."

Then Tahlia looked at him hopefully. "Is this bed just for sleeping, or...?"

"Or... whatever ya want it to be for, girl."

She gave a cheeky waggle of her brows, but then caught sight of a bottle of wine and a small box resting in the centre console.

"Wait a minute... is this a date?" she asked, breaking into a huge grin.

"Ya gotta call it that?" frowned Daryl. "Just wanted to be somewhere with ya where we ain't got people all 'round us. Coulda found somewhere out in the woods or somethin' but didn't want to have to keep watch and all that shit. Needed somewhere safe."

"Somewhere safe with wine and-" Tahlia picked up the bottle and her mouth dropped open when she saw the label. "Oh my God, where did you get this?!"

It wasn't just any bottle of wine, it was specifically a shiraz from the Barossa Valley in Australia. One that she had mentioned in passing as her favourite that night in the hut on their gas station run, way back when they weren't even friends.

Daryl gazed at her shyly. "Wine cellar in that manor house in the woods. Checked some of the labels. Found this. Kept it for ya. Said ya liked it, right? Barossa Valley?"

Tahlia gave an incredulous huff. "You remembered that?"

Of course he remembered. He remembered everything she said. In fact, he could probably document in detail nearly every minute he had ever spent with her. But, she didn't need to know that. So, he just gave a diffident shrug.

"God, I can't believe it!" beamed Tahlia. "Thank you! This is amazing!" And she didn't mean the wine. The fact that he had filed away that tiny piece of information, held on to it all this time and then used it to surprise her, made her breathless.

Placing the bottle back down, she shifted her attention to the box. She recognised the plain white bandage box as one of the many from the medical supplies in the infirmary. Opening the lid, she found pieces of a cut up candy bar resting on a tissue inside and she let out a delighted laugh.

"This is the best! Wine, chocolate – all we need is flowers and it's a textbook perfect date!" she joked with a loud guffaw. "Top marks, Dixon!"

Daryl's cheeks flushed and he darted a sideways glance to the backseat. Following his glance, Tahlia pushed herself up to peek over her seat, and, lying on the bed was a small bunch of wildflowers, tied together at the stems with a strip of red rag.

The amusement faded from her face as she slowly turned back to stare at him, only just starting to comprehend how far he'd thrown himself out of his comfort zone, only just realising the gravity of what it had taken for him to set this up.

Chewing his lip in agitation, Daryl quickly ducked his head towards the window, his insides churning with hot embarrassment.

What the fuck had he been thinking?

When he'd planned this, it had seemed like it would be kind of light and funny – like her - but now it just felt cheesy and dumb, and even she wasn't laughing anymore, but staring at him with some mixture of shock and disbelief. He'd never done anything like this for anyone before and now he knew why – because it was fucking stupid. In his quest to try and get things right with her, it hadn't occurred to him until this second that maybe he didn't know what right looked like at all, and the only thing he was succeeding at was making a goddammed mess. There was no way that she -

His dark spiral was interrupted by a weight on his lap.

Tahlia had nimbly eased herself over to his seat and straddled him, her face inches from his.

"Daryl." she breathed as she ran her hands lightly up and down his arms and over his chest, feeling the tension coursing through his body. "Get out of your head."

Gently she tilted his chin up towards her, and reluctantly he let his gaze follow.

"I know what you're thinking. But have you thought about what I'm thinking? That this is the greatest date ever!" She grinned as her fingers slowly massaged along the base of his neck. "I was only doing this face -" She feigned open-mouthed shock before switching back to a warm smile, "-because I can't believe you would go to all this trouble for me!"

"Stupid." he muttered, but couldn't help relaxing into her touch and shifted his arms to encircle her.

"Yeah, I bet to you it probably is, but I'm loving every single detail – and the bit I love the most is that even though you think it's stupid, you would still put yourself out there and do this for me because you knew that this is exactly the kind of thing a giant pain in the ass would love."

A smile quivered on his lips at that and he pinched her butt for good measure. She was real good at grabbing hold of him when he started slipping into the blackness of his insecurities. Dragging him back to her. Refusing to let go.

"This is easily the most incredibly thoughtful thing that anyone has ever done for me. You just keep surprising me." Tahlia told him softly, all serious now. "And I still can't get my head around how I'm lucky enough to... to..." Her voice wavered a little and her green eyes were now shining with unspilled tears and sincerity. Why she got so goddamned emotional around him sometimes, she had no idea, but it was really annoying.

"Whoa, don't cry!" exclaimed Daryl, a teasing note in his tone. "I'm pretty sure cryin' is one of the signs of a textbook terrible date!"

With a small laugh, Tahlia tipped her head back, blinking rapidly. "Shut up." Then she expelled a long breath and gazed at him again. "Lucky enough to have found you."

Even though he could feel his heart fraying a little at the edges at her words, he managed an impish quirk of his lips.

"Doncha remember, girl? I was the one that found you."

"You did." she replied fondly, dropping her forehead to press gently against his. "You did."

Then, his uncertainty receding just as quickly as it had burgeoned, Daryl tipped his chin up to catch her mouth in a long, leisurely kiss before tapping her thigh.

"Alright, let's have some of this fancy ass wine then."

Tahlia nodded and climbed back to the passenger seat, surreptitiously dashing a hand across her eyes.

Opening the wine, he thrust her 'glass' into her hand. He'd cut the top third off a plastic water bottle and used the neck and cap on the bottle as the stem of the cup, so it looked a bit like a makeshift wineglass.

He shrugged. "Best I could come up with."

"Loving. Every. Detail." she beamed as he filled her cup.

"Cheers!" They tapped their plastic vessels together and took a long gulp. Tahlia shivered as memories of happy times washed over her, adding this night to the list of good memories in her arsenal.

"Damn, I'm glad I didn't pay for this! Tastes like shit!" declared Daryl wrinkling his nose, raising his glass and then downing the rest of his wine in one.

"What, you'd prefer a glass of that paint-stripping moonshine instead?!" retorted Tahlia.

"Gimme moonshine any day!" affirmed Daryl. "And I don't need no glass!"

Tahlia laughed and rolled her eyes. Then she finished her wine and climbed through the gap in the front seats, picking up the bunch of flowers and running a hand gently over the petals, breathing in their light floral perfume, before carefully placing them on the passenger seat.

Then she let out a low whistle as she brandished a box of 24 condoms that was shoved down the side of the bed.

"Twenty-four?! Someone's got high hopes!"

Daryl went wide-eyed and his cheeks flamed. "Ain't full! Just found 'em and put 'em there just in case, but we ain't gotta... ain't thinkin' that..." he stammered helplessly as he peered over the back of the seat at her.

Tipping her head back in mirth, Tahlia then beckoned to him. "Hush, I'm teasing. Now get your butt back here. We're gonna have to start now if we want to make a dent in that box by morning."

Raking his hands over his face Daryl shook his head, then shot her a lopsided grin before tumbling between the seats and launching himself at her, knocking her back on the bed, playfully biting along her shoulder as she squealed with laughter.

Stopping as abruptly as he had started, Daryl propped himself up on one elbow over her and gently threaded his fingers through her hair, drawing them through the silky strands. The moonlight spilled through the open shade of the sunroof, bathing her in an ethereal glow and Daryl's breath hitched in his chest as he gazed down at her.

Catching the glimmer of apprehension in his eyes, Tahlia lifted her hand to his cheek.

"Hey." she said softly, reassuringly. "It's me. It's just me."

Daryl nodded faintly into her hand. "That's just it, Tahly. It's you." he whispered reverently.

She smiled. "Still just a giant pain in the ass."

"Most beautiful one I ever seen." he said hoarsely, kissing her palm.

I love ya. He wanted to say. I fuckin' love ya.

But it was all too much and not enough, so instead he crashed his lips to hers and kissed her fervently, drawing her so deep into him that if she were to open her eyes, she would be able to read those words branded on his soul for herself.

They lost themselves for a while, and then he could feel Tahlia's fingers tugging at the top of his shirt.

"Shirt. Off." she commanded against his mouth.

With a half-smile, he sat up on his knees and unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it into the front seat.

"I'm never gonna get tired of looking at that." murmured Tahlia appreciatively, her gaze slowly raking over his muscled chest and abs, feeling a smoldering throb deep in her belly already.

Daryl smirked. "This ain't even the best bit. Just you wait to see what else I got."

"Really?!" laughed Tahlia. "Talking a big game, huh?"

"Yeah, girl. Real big game." grinned Daryl with mock-boastfulness, grateful that they fell into banter so effortlessly, keeping him from falling too far into himself, keeping him at ease.

Tahlia flicked her brows as she nudged him with her foot. "Show us the goods, then!"

"Naw." replied Daryl resolutely, propping his hands on his hips. "Ya gotta give me somethin' first."

Tahlia pushed herself up to kneel facing him and whipped her top off, so she was down to her black lace bra. "Nothing new here, though."

"Yeah, but I ain't never gonna get tired of lookin' at that neither." he said, moving closer to her and reaching out to run his calloused fingers lightly up her side, watching goosebumps rise under his touch. "Your damn lacy shit has been drivin' me crazy. Time to get rid of it."

Slipping one hand around her back to find the clasp, he attempted to flick it open, and a few fumbling moments later, it became clear that he wasn't having much luck.

Tahlia was doing her best to keep a straight face. "Just let me know if you need me to step in."

With a growl, Daryl brought his other hand around and finally undid the clasp.

"Damn." he said with a lopsided grin. "Thought that was gonna go a little smoother."

Tahlia laughed. "Practice, practice."

"Plannin' on it." he told her as he slipped the straps over her shoulders, a low guttural noise escaping from him as her full breasts bounced free of the material.

Then his hands shot out and he dragged her into his lap, expelling a forceful breath at the sudden sensation of her hard nipples surrounded by soft flesh pressing against his chest.

Tahlia looped her arms loosely around his neck, just holding still for a moment as she reveled in the feeling of being held by him. She always felt so small in his arms. Like she was one of the littlest in a set of Russian nesting dolls and the natural order was for her to be safely encased in him.

Bringing her mouth to his, she kissed him only for a breath before letting her tongue glide along his bottom lip and to the corner of his mouth. From there her lips worked a languorous path across his jaw and down his neck, and Daryl tipped his head back a little, grunting in encouragement as she meticulously sought out his sensitive spots and teased at each one.

Light-headed already just from this, Daryl's whole body was vibrating with need for her, so, splaying his hands wide on her back, he leaned forward, guiding her down to the bed.

"Girrrl..."

It came out as more of a gravelly noise than a word and Tahlia shivered as it washed over her. Gazing up into Daryl's desire-darkened eyes, a fizz of electric anticipation crackled right through her and her heart began stuttering wildly in her chest.

If he could hear it, he gave no indication, but focused only on kissing her with ardent intent. One hand moved to gently squeeze and stroke her breast, eliciting tiny whimpers from her with every touch. Then his mouth left hers to blaze a wet path down towards her other breast, pausing for a moment to lick the hollow at the base of her neck and drag his teeth along her collarbone before dipping lower, eventually alighting on her nipple, which he lazily laved and sucked as if he had all the time in the world.

By the time he made it across to lavish her other nipple with the same attention, Tahlia was already spinning somewhere above the stratosphere and was certain there'd be no descent for her any time soon, her body responding needily to him with an intensity she'd never felt with anyone else before.

Then he began moving south, his scruff scratching a delicious trail down towards her waistband. Sitting up to one side of her, Daryl began to undo her pants, his eyes on hers the whole time until he'd tugged them right off. Encircling her ankles with his large hands, he then inched them higher and higher up her bare legs until his thumbs met at the apex of her thighs and a ragged gasp ripped through Tahlia as she prepared to beg, plead, sell her soul for his touch.

Hooking his fingers into the top of her black panties, his gaze briefly dropped down to meet them, then back up to her face as if asking permission, and Tahlia lifted her hips in eager assent. Slowly he freed her from the scrap of lace, but resisted the urge to glance down and instead, kept his eyes locked on hers, watching her intently for any sign of discomfort, hyperaware that there was a possibility she could freeze up at any moment. He didn't yet know her boundaries; if there was anything triggering for her; and he intended to take everything slow this time, pay close attention and make sure he held her securely in a safe space.

Lying down next to her, he caressed her cheek for a moment before brushing his mouth against hers in soft deliberation.

"Daryl..." she breathed. "Let me..." She dropped a hand down to his belt and started to pull it open, but he caught her wrist and lightly moved it up to her chest.

"Naw, babygirl. This bit's all 'bout you." That, and the fact that he was already so wildly aroused he needed the extra barrier of the denim to keep him from spiraling out of control.

Drawing his head back just enough so he could see her face properly, his fingers roamed in lazy circles down her trembling body until they were resting at the top of one thigh.

"You lemme know if ya wanna stop. At any point." he told her in a grave tone.

Tahlia gave a desperate little nod, craving more, more. "I will. But I don't. Don't stop."

His fingers inched down her inner thigh, and she opened her legs wider, yearning painfully for his touch that was close, so close.

"And I might fucking kill you if you dare to stop now." she warned with an untamed look in her eye.

A slow smile spread across Daryl's face at that, and finally he appeased her by sliding his fingers along her lips, the smile quickly replaced by animalistic desire when he felt how wet she was.

"Fuck, baby..." he growled, although that was drowned out by her rolling moans, and he dropped his head to kiss her roughly, his fingers slipping through her silkiness a few more times, exploring, before alighting on her clit, falling into a gentle, circling rhythm as she cried out into his mouth.

One hand tangled in Daryl's hair and the other gripping his shoulder, Tahlia was already falling to pieces.

His fingers were a match, sparking with every touch, igniting her, setting her aflame, burning for him. Then, when her body was an inferno, his hand was gone and the stark contrast of the cold from his absence had her grunting in displeasure. But then he was gone too, moving down her body until he was kneeling between her legs, and, pressing her knees wide, he finally gazed down at her glistening folds, subconsciously running his tongue along his top lip at the sight.

"Fuuck. Every inch of ya's goddamn beautiful, ain't it, Tahly?"

Tahlia wasn't normally self-conscious about her body, but there was something about the way that Daryl was staring at her with a darkly intense predatory look that almost made her want to cover herself up. But then he slipped his hands under her thighs and elevated her hips a little as he bent his head down and licked her purposefully from back to front, and all her thoughts went up in a cloud of smoke.

"Taste so good." he groaned as he lapped at her, moving higher until he settled on her clit, one hand wrapped around her thigh to hold her open so he could flick and circle his tongue over her. "This ok?"

The vibration of his voice against her caused Tahlia to let out a strangled gasp.

"'Ok' doesn't even begin to cover it." she choked out, her words hurried and jumbling together as she gasped again and bucked her hips into him.

Unsure which one of them was enjoying this more, Daryl settled in to work his mouth on her, and all the while, he was still staring at her face.

At first it had mostly been to check that she was all right, but now it was solely because he was fucking mesmerised by the way her mouth looked when she moaned, the way her eyes shone with hazy delirium when she gazed down at him, the way she reacted so viscerally to his every touch.

He would never get tired of seeing her like this.

Of being the one to reduce her to this primal state of need and want and pleasure.

Slowing down a little, he hesitantly pressed one finger inside her, and when she let out an impassioned cry, he added another, sliding them in and out as she pushed down towards him. Crooking his fingers now, he moved them until he found the spot he was looking for, stroking there as he increased the intensity of his mouth against her clit.

Tahlia couldn't help but rock her hips against his face as her hands scrambled to find anything to anchor her to the earth, and fistfuls of sheet were the best she could manage. She was vaguely aware of sounds and swear words emanating from her, but they were no longer within her control. Daryl was at the wheel.

With varied pace he was lifting her up before letting her sink again; pushing her to the edge for a glimpse of the tantalising drop before pulling her back. The world around her ebbed away, even him, and everything tunneled inwards until she was only focused internally on her desperate desire to fall. Then, without warning, he threw her over the edge, keeping her hovering for an impossibly long, agonisingly euphoric moment before she burst into beautiful bright pieces and floated slowly to the ground.

When her world eventually came back into focus, Tahlia realised her hands were over her face, and she gradually drew them away to see Daryl lying on his side next to her propped up on one elbow, his other hand stroking her belly as he gazed down at her.

"Hey." he murmured, a smile quirking his lips. "Back with me now?"

Tahlia just stared up at him, stunned and breathless, her body still humming. "Holy. Fuck."

Glowing with pride, Daryl chuckled at that as he laid his head down next to hers, kissing her shoulder.

"Probably a good thing we didn't do that in your cell."

Tahlia glanced at him wide-eyed. "Oh my God. Was I loud?"

"Lil' bit." he grinned. "I liked it."

She gave him a sheepish look, then it turned into curiosity. "How the hell did you get so good at..." She quickly stopped herself. "Actually, don't tell me, I don't want to know, I'm just eternally grateful for it."

Rolling onto her side to face him, her legs pressing together and making her jump from the still raw sensitivity, she raised her eyebrows for a contemplative moment. "The wine and all that was amazing, but that is officially my favourite part of the night."

"Night ain't over yet." he murmured with a wicked little smile.

Tahlia let out a shaky, lust-laden breath at that, then ran her fingers down his chest until they landed on his belt. "Your turn."

Placing a hand on hers, he stopped her again. "We don't gotta do nothin' else right now, babygirl. Don't want ya to feel like we gotta-"

"Get your pants off." she ordered, a playful glint in her eye. "I would get up and do it for you, but I don't think I can move my legs just yet."

That was all the convincing Daryl needed, and he quickly undid his jeans, kicking them off, then did the same with his boxers, his erection springing free and slapping against his lower abdomen.

"Holy shit." murmured Tahlia as she gazed down at his size in admiration. "You weren't kidding about that."

Daryl shot her a small smile, but that quickly faded as his brow furrowed.

"We don't gotta." he repeated, concern lacing his tone. "We don't gotta do nothin' if-"

"Shh." Tahlia hushed him as her lips met his and she reached down to take him in her hand, squeezing lightly, loving the feeling of velvet over steel. "You're not holding out on me any longer."

He let out a low moan at her words and the sensation of her soft hand working its way up and down his hard length, twisting a little on each upstroke, pausing at the top for her thumb to lightly circle his tip.

"Tahly..." he breathed after a few moments, a slightly pained expression on his face. "Ain't gonna last if ya keep... been too long..."

"Ok..." drawled Tahlia, sliding her hand all the way back up over his body until she caught his chin firmly with her thumb and index finger. "Tell me what you want."

His mouth was slack with desire and he stared at her for a long moment, then in a voice husky and needful uttered, "Wanna feel that sweet pussy, girl."

A satisfied smile spread on Tahlia's face. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Finding a condom and putting it on in record speed, Daryl pushed Tahlia down onto her back once again, still wanting to be the one setting the pace, and held himself over her on his forearms, gazing at her for a slow second before descending into an unhurried kiss, tongues swirling lazily together. Moving one hand down, he slid his tip through her wet folds a few times, bumping it against her still sensitive clit, smiling into her mouth as she jolted against him, even more so when she bit his lip in desperate frustration.

Finally, he eased into her, feeling her tight warmth adjust as it enveloped him, a guttural groan rolling from him with every incredible inch, almost ready to come just from how fucking sensational she felt. Tahlia let out a sharp gasp as he pushed the rest of the way in, but only because of the blissful heavy fullness of having him there.

"Good... so good..." she moaned deliriously as he started to move in her, his own words a frantic, unintelligible garble in her ear.

Pushing up onto his forearms, Daryl gazed down between them to take in the sight of him sliding in and out of her, sucking in a ragged breath at the sheer perfection of it, then he bent his head to pay her breasts a little more attention and drag more pleasured cries from deep within her before lowering down onto her, starting a slow, hard grind with his hips.

"You're holding back." Tahlia breathed as she gazed up at him imploringly. "Don't hold back. I want it."

A low, primal rumble emanated from deep in his chest, but he bit his lip hard and shook his head. Not many words were available to him in this moment, but he managed a choked, "Naw, girl. Slow."

The last word was barely a whisper, but she caught it and understood what he was doing. The same thing he'd been doing all night, doing always - treating her reverently, carefully, forever making sure that she was ok, letting her know that she was eternally safe with him. No one had ever been so attuned to her before, no one had ever made her feel as considered as he did, and the resulting absolute trust she had in him overshadowed everything that had ever happened to her.

There was only him. Nothing before, nothing after. Only him.

Fired up by the sudden intensity of emotion from this, she clung tightly to him as she buried her face in his neck, nipping and sucking, his sweat salty on her tongue. Then she wrapped her legs around him and he let out a savage grunt at the deeper angle as he continued to rock his hips against hers.

Tahlia still hadn't fully landed after her last orgasm, so soon found herself being propelled sky-high again. Scraping her nails down his back, she intoned his name over and over and her belly tightened with aching anticipation as she was sent hurtling to the edge, then happily, she flung herself into that intoxicating abyss once more.

Daryl could feel her walls starting to flutter and then with a feverish cry by his ear, she climaxed hard and fast, clenching his cock tightly. Eyes squeezed shut with the effort of control, which was fast slipping from his grasp, Daryl finally let go and allowed himself to fuck her harder towards his own release as she continued to pulse around him. Then his body tensed, and time suspended as everything went blank, then he came with fierce intensity and a loud curse and shattered around her.

His movements slowing as he hazily came back to his senses, Daryl collapsed heavily onto her, dropping his head by her ear.

"Fuck, Tahly." he panted, reeling from how unbelievably amazing that felt. "Fuck."

Only just catching her own breath, still soaring, Tahlia was holding him now, gently stroking lines along his back, bumping over his ropy scars. "Yep. Think that's the only word for it."

Eventually he eased himself out of her and discarded the condom before gathering her in his arms once more, loathe to be anywhere but pressed up against her.

"Y'ok?" he asked, worry shadowing his blue gaze.

Tahlia let out a husky laugh. "So much more than that. I'm on cloud fucking nine. You are..." She gave a happy hum. "Definitely worth the wait." Then her brow creased. "Except..."

"What?" he asked quickly, concern growing.

"Can you reach the chocolate?"

With a relieved grin, Daryl nodded and reached over into the centre console, producing the bottle of wine, the box of chocolate and a bottle of water, then he propped some pillows up behind him so he was sitting half reclined, and pulled Tahlia up to lean against his chest as he slung his arm around her.

"Wine?" he asked, lightly stamping the cold bottle down onto her stomach.

With a gasp she jerked upright and tried to wrestle the bottle from him, but he held it firm against her skin.

"Daryl!" she squealed, trying to shove him away.

Then he loosened up on her and chuckled. "Shit, we steamed up all the windows! Hold this."

Pressing the bottle into her hands, he opened the sunroof window, letting in some cold night air, then settled back against the pillows, throwing a couple of bits of chocolate into his mouth.

"So," asked Tahlia, pulling the sheet over her cooling body, "This why you were asking about my period?"

Daryl gave her a sheepish grin. "Yeah. I mean, it don't bother me, but I know some girls don't like to... you know, so..." he trailed off as he took a drink of water.

"Well, I guess it's kind of your business now... I don't really get mine."

"What?" he asked, instantly concerned. "Why not?"

Tahlia had a long drink of wine then passed the bottle to him. "I have a contraceptive implant in my arm. One side effect is that it can stop your periods. I randomly get a little sometimes, but for the most part, none." She snickered as she reached for some chocolate. "I bet this is the longest conversation you've ever had about periods."

It was, but it didn't faze Daryl. He loved everything about female bodies. From the way they looked to the fact that they could grow an entire human being, and periods were just a natural function of those incredible bodies.

But that aside, he was still too focused on the other bit she'd said. "Huh? Implant?"

"Yeah." Tahlia held out her right arm and gently pinched the soft flesh just under her inner bicep. "You can feel it if you press here."

Daryl did, and then gazed at her incredulously. "And what the fuck does that do?"

"Birth control. Stops me from getting pregnant. They say it lasts 3 years, but I've heard it's more like 5, and I got it maybe... a year before all this shit started? So, it's still good for a little while."

He was staring at her like she'd just performed some kind of black magic. "Ya can't get pregnant?"

"Well, nothing's 100%, but basically, yeah." she told him lightly as she took the wine again.

"You sayin' y'ain't got no use for my 24-box over there?"

She shrugged. "We don't have to use them if you don't want to. I just didn't have the heart to tell you earlier. It was cute to see that you'd thought ahead and were being all responsible."

"I ain't cute!" he replied indignantly.

Tahlia gave an exaggerated dreamy sigh. "So cute; so sweet."

She was expecting the torrent of tickles and pinches that came her way after that, but that didn't make them any easier to bear and she shrieked and gasped, begging for mercy as she desperately tried to hold the wine bottle upright.

"I'm gonna fucking spill it, Daryl, stop!" she cried out through her laughter, and finally he let up, his hands softening to gentle, circling caress on her midriff.

Then, drifting up, he ran his fingers lightly over the implant area again.

"That good for ya, Tahly?" he asked, frowning a little. "Havin' that thing in ya? Fuckin' with your body?"

"It's probably not good, but it's useful." replied Tahlia. "Life expectancy is pretty short in this world, so, who cares?"

"I care." Daryl told her firmly. "This body belongs to me, so I gotta take care of it."

"Of course." Tahlia said drily. "Property of Daryl Dixon, right?"

"That's right, and doncha forget it!" he declared with a smug grin.

"Well, as long as you keep taking care of it like you did tonight, then it is all yours!" she laughed.

Daryl's expression changed to one of soft solemnity. "Gonna take good care of ya, baby. Real good care."

"You always have." breathed Tahlia, floored once again by how fucking amazing he was and by how far she'd fallen for him and the weight of all that hurt, physically hurt, but she wasn't quite ready to embrace the beautiful pain yet, so she pushed away from those depths, back to the surface, back to lightness.

Passing the wine back to him she said, "Don't let me drink any more or I might try to kiss you."

Daryl gave a wry chuckle. "I know now I gotta have my guard up around ya when you're drinkin'. Case ya try to take advantage of me."

Placing the bottle back in the console, he gazed down at her. "Tired?"

"Little bit." admitted Tahlia, stifling a yawn. "You wore me out."

He smiled. "'Kay. Lemme shut that roof and put these lights out."

"I love the lights."

"I know, but y'ain't gonna sleep much with them things twinklin' away."

He shut the car down so that they could sleep, then snuggled down into the bed, pulling Tahlia close and dragging the blanket up over them, a shiny feeling of unadulterated happiness spreading to his every corner.

Tahlia gave a contented, sleepy sigh. "Maybe this is my favourite part of the night."

"Yeah?" murmured Daryl.

"No! I'm kidding! Hands down still the other bit."

He chuckled and slapped her butt for that, then stretched out a little more, tucking one hand behind his head.

"So much better than your tiny cell-bed." he muttered.

"Ugh, I know! Look at all this space! I could sleep all the way over this side and you wouldn't even-"

"Naw." Daryl caught hold of Tahlia who had started to roll away from him, and positioned her against his chest once again. "Stay here."

Laughing a little, Tahlia then turned her face up to his.

"Hey." she said softly. "You know how you wanted to get it right? Well, you did. You are. You're getting everything right. I mean, anything with you would feel right to me, but this is just so perfect. Thank you."

Daryl's chest tightened at that, in a good, full-to-bursting way, and not for the first time, he wished he were better with words so he could let out some of the things he'd like to say to her, relieve some of that pressure inside.

But instead, he hugged her closer, pressed a kiss on the top of her head and said, "Sleep, girl."

And soon, she did.

And it was here with her in the back of this car under the endless night sky that he felt like they were at the centre of something; in a haven away from the savage, blood-coloured world outside and its merciless, whipping winds of death and violence.

They were untouched.

Safe here in the eye of the storm.