[A/N: First and foremost, thanks for the amazing response to Part 4. Thank you doesn't seem adequate, but that's the best I can come up with right now. Welcome to the new readers and always a huge thanks to everyone for reading, following, favoriting, reviewing, and dropping kudos. Grad school and a mega dose of other responsibilities conflict with my fic writing and me being able to respond to individual comments, but please know that I read everything and I appreciate your feedback. Keep it coming. Hearing your thoughts is motivating in the best way. Anyway, here's the Dasha-centric chapter. Part 6 will be a mix of Richonne and Dasha. They're not crossing paths just yet, but know that it should happen eventually. Still not sure how Terminus will play. With only 2 weeks to go until the new season starts maybe inspiration will strike. As always, your feedback will be a treasured gift especially in regards to the later half of the chapter. Oh, and this is a long one—sorry!—the next one will probably be, too.]
Part 5: Scarred
The friendliness of the group seemed genuine enough, Daryl thought. Nik Cassidy and his family appeared eager to include Daryl and Sasha. Dinner around the campfire was filled with stories. Not just of survival but of what the Cassidy family valued. Daryl noticed how Nik often nodded toward Sasha when he directed his comments to Daryl. The assumption of their relationship had been easy. She stayed close and didn't seem in any hurry to correct the idea that she wasn't his or vice versa. Once or twice, Daryl caught Nash sizing them up. As if he wasn't convinced of their ruse. Then, Daryl dug deep to overcome his insecurities. He'd touch Sasha's arm or let his hand linger on her thigh. This familiarity with her body was odd, but he promised himself to do whatever to keep her safe. He aimed to keep his word no matter how uncomfortable the actions made him.
After they'd consumed as much of the roasted boar as their stomachs could tolerate, Lorenzo and Dominick took the remains off the spit. Nik gestured for Daryl to follow. Dawn and Sasha disappeared inside the RV. Clay and Nash headed into the woods to relieve themselves.
"Have you decided, yet?" Nik asked, leaning against the back of the Explorer.
"On what?" Daryl shouldered his crossbow. He glanced at the RV door. It was open. The voices of the women filtered out. They sounded pleasant.
"Staying or going," Nik answered. "You seemed unsure."
"Lorenzo told me 'bout Nash and Clay," Daryl said. "I ain't lookin' for trouble."
"Three against two aren't good odds," Nik said. "They won't bother your woman."
Daryl nodded. "She don't like me watchin' her or havin' to be protected from others in the camp."
"Dawn isn't thrilled with it either. The wife calls me a cave man," Nik confided with a faint smile. "The cousins are good on runs. Besides, leaving them doesn't seem right."
"Letting them hurt your wife ain't right either."
Nik's face grew tight. "They're not laying a hand on her."
Daryl nodded. Once again, his gaze was drawn to the RV. The waning sunlight and overhead clouds afforded him little advantage in seeing inside the vehicle. A few shadows, but that was all. Sasha seemed to get along well with Dawn. Like Lorenzo had said, the other woman appeared starved for female companionship. The Cassidy family would have been a good fit at the prison. He swallowed hard as the memories threatened to close in. The prison and everything it had been was gone. He had to let that go.
"They're okay in there," Nik said. "The only entrance is that door. Dawn's probably talking Sasha's ear off about the stuff I brought her."
The man's self-satisfied smirk made Daryl smile. With four of them in the RV, Daryl wondered when and where Nik planned to get his reward from his wife.
"Whatcha get?" Daryl asked.
"Hair stuff," Nik said, looking embarrassed. "And the usual." He pulled a box of condoms from his pocket. The box had seen better days and was torn on the corner. Nik handed the contraceptives to Daryl. "We have a stockpile, but I always grab more whenever I can find them. Let's get your digs set up before that rain comes in."
Daryl nodded to hide the flush he knew colored his face. Of course, condoms were a necessity. How many runs had he gone on with Glenn where that was the other man's only mission? Since the living went to war against the walkers, Daryl hadn't had a need for rubbers and couldn't truly recall the last time he needed them before then. He wasn't a ladies' man. Fucking was one thing, but the afters always made him feel weird and inadequate. The box of Trojans that he'd stuffed into his jacket pocket only reminded him of those feelings.
"Nash and I saw some signs on our way back to camp," Nik was saying as he and Daryl adjusted the rear seats of the SUV to lay flat. "'Those who arrive survive' or some shit like that."
"That sounds familiar," Daryl said.
"The place is called Terminus."
"What the hell kind of name is that?" Daryl asked. "Sounds like a fuckin' disease."
Nik laughed. "Yeah."
Lorenzo and Dominick arrived with the chopped remains of the boar divided into three large portions. They had wrapped the sections in plastic. Dominick handed one portion to Daryl.
"In case you and Sasha get hungry at night," the boy said. "It won't go to waste or attract gross ones."
"We call 'em walkers," Daryl said.
"Walkers?" Dominick asked.
"Walking dead," Daryl explained.
"That's a good one, huh Dad?" Dominick said to Nik.
"Yeah." Nik smiled at his son. "Take ours to your mom. Bring back some bedding. Hurry up. Those clouds are ready to pop."
As Dominick jogged off, Lorenzo asked, "What's up? You convince him to stay? You're the smooth talker in the family."
"I was working on it until you showed up," Nik said.
"What difference does it make if me and Sasha stick around or not?"
"Honestly?" Lorenzo asked.
Daryl frowned.
"Not that we would lie," Nik said with a jab to his brother's shoulder. "Look, it's simple. I haven't seen my wife this…this animated in a while. I didn't know how much she missed having another woman to talk to. Besides, it can't be easy out there with just the two of you."
"I don't like those guys," Daryl said.
By now, the cousins had returned. Clay went inside their RV, but Nash headed toward the Explorer. When he reached them, Lorenzo handed him the remaining leftovers.
"Y'all gabbing like a bunch of women," Nash said. "You tell 'em about that safe haven?"
"What safe haven?" Lorenzo asked.
"The sign said Terminus," Nash said.
"Sounds like a fatal disease," Lorenzo replied.
Nik chuckled. "That's what Daryl said."
"I told Clay about it," Nash confided. "He thinks it could be a good thing. Better than sitting out here waiting for the next herd to come tearing through."
Nik asked, "You taking off?"
"We ain't made a decision, yet," Nash said. "I'd think you'd jump at the chance to protect your family."
"My family's always protected," Nik said with an uncompromising edge.
"Yo, newcomer," Nash said, staring at Daryl. "You and your girl headed that way?"
Daryl's eyes narrowed as he regarded the other man. This was the first time they'd had a direct conversation and Daryl wasn't exactly thrilled with the way the man referred to Sasha. There was something in his tone. It didn't sit well with Daryl.
"Why?" Daryl asked.
"Y'all could ride with us," Nash offered. His mouth curved into a smile, but the sentiment didn't reach his eyes. "Our RV's got plenty of room."
Daryl shook his head. "We're good."
"Suit yourself." Nash turned and walked away.
The two brothers stared at each other, and Daryl found himself studying the Cassidy men. They appeared close in age, but if he had to guess, he'd say that Nik was older, but only by a year or two. Their relationship was friendly. Nothing like what he'd had with Merle. If he were a betting man, he'd wager that Lorenzo's feelings for his sister-in-law weren't one hundred percent brotherly, but the man was too honorable to act on them. Daryl doubted if Nik was aware of it. This family unit was tight even with that small issue.
Dominick returned with sleeping bags, comforters, pillows, and flashlights. His mother and Sasha joined him and helped carry some of the items. Nik and Daryl finished prepping while the others stood back and watched. A few times, Daryl caught Sasha's eye. Every time she grinned at him, he shook his head. The urge to mumble something about women's work hung on the tip of his tongue, but he kept the teasing in check. He and Nik finished as the thunder rolled in the distance.
"I was hoping to get a bath tonight," Dawn said, pouting.
"Me too," Sasha added. "If we hurry, we could do it before the rain comes. We're right by a lake. There's a grove of trees right over there."
"Dawn," Nik said with a frown.
"Instead of saying no…" She smiled at him and looped her finger through his belt loop. "We'll be so fast."
"Ain't no way you and Sasha going over there by yourselves," Daryl said.
"He's right about that," Nik said. "Get your stuff. Hurry up. Daryl and I will stand watch, but you better hurry up or there'll be hell to pay."
"Promises, promises." Dawn kissed his cheek.
Nik laughed. "Hurry up."
"Come on, Sasha. I have soap, towels, and something you can change into. But Mr. Cassidy has spoken. We gotta hurry!"
Daryl watched the two women race back to the RV like a couple of teenagers. He swore he'd never seen this side of Sasha before. This version was carefree. She giggled. Even with her ever-present scowl, she had a pretty face, but now, she looked softer. He remembered how her expression changed right before she hugged him on the tracks. The hardness had melted away and only a soft, beautiful woman remained. It made him wonder what she'd been like before all this shit happened. Tyrese had joked that he couldn't remember a time when his little sister didn't boss him, but Daryl was seeing that there was more to Sasha than tough taskmaster.
She and Dawn returned with their supplies, and like dutiful companions, he and Nik followed with their weapons at the ready. Unlike before, Nik seemed more content to remain quiet. Daryl noticed how the other man's gaze focused on his wife and a faint smile never left his face. Daryl had never been in love like that or been loved like that. Watching the couple, he knew that they were committed. They were different than Glenn and Maggie. Although Dawn and Nik were young, they had an old-timers feel to them.
"I'm getting in," Nik confided as they waited for the women to disrobe behind the bushes and slip into the water. "What did you call them…walkers? They can't swim. Lorenzo's keeping an eye on Clay and Nash. You oughta get in, too."
"I'm good."
Nik gave him a questioning look. "You're passing up a bath with your woman? C'mon. Look at them. They can't have all the fun."
Daryl hated to admit the merit to Nik's argument. The women were neck deep in the water. Suds bubbled around them. Both sported grins wide enough to combat the clouds overhead. While Daryl worked out the pros and cons and enjoyed the beauty of Sasha's smile, Nik had undressed down to his underwear save for a few strategically strapped weapons and was knee-deep in the lake.
"C'mon, Daryl!" Dawn said, waving at him.
Daryl gripped his crossbow. He looked around but the landscape was clear. Free of walkers and free of assholes. Then his gaze drifted back to the people in the water. Nik and Dawn were engaged in a private conversation, and Sasha's focus was solely on Daryl. She simply nodded and beckoned with her hand.
"Come on."
$%^&
Sasha hadn't realized she was holding her breath until Dawn flicked water at her. The other woman, wrapped securely within her husband's embrace, treaded water and frolicked almost as if this was a typical outing with friends. In the short while since Sasha and Daryl had joined the group, Sasha had felt her misgivings give way. Sure, she kept an eye out on the cousins. Daryl was right. The guys had a way of looking at her and Dawn that made Sasha's skin crawl, but otherwise, the Cassidy family seemed like good people.
She ran the bar of soap along her arms again as she watched for Daryl. After the invitation to join them, he ducked into the bushes. Nik had thrown caution to the wind and dropped down to his undies in front of them, but Daryl wasn't one for exhibition. When he stepped out in his boxers and crossbow strapped to his back, Sasha had to remind herself not to stare. She'd done her private share of ogling his well-toned arms. She didn't know any woman at the prison who hadn't sighed at the sight of him in the sleeveless shirts. But to see him shirtless and in only a pair of boxers, too?
"Damn," Sasha murmured.
"You don't look at me like that anymore," Nik said in a loud grumble to Dawn. His wife nudged him and he kissed her.
Daryl hesitated at the water's edge. He stood near a large rock where Nik had tossed his clothes and shoes. "Might be better if I kept watch here."
"Those dead ones aren't coming in," Nik said. "Besides, I'm ready if they get too close." He pointed to his shoulder holster and the knife strapped to his waist with a band.
Daryl nodded. Although he'd removed most of his clothes, his crossbow was on his back and he still held his knife.
Sasha held up her stick. She'd left her rifle, leaning on the rock where Nik's clothes rested. "We'll protect you."
Daryl grunted. "Yeah right."
She laughed. "Come on already. You'll have a shower from the rain before too long."
"Stop ya fussing, woman," he muttered.
Sasha bit back a retort as he took tentative steps into the water. She had to admit that she'd seen Daryl dirty more than she'd ever seen him clean. Still she knew he bathed. They'd been on enough runs for her to know if B.O. was a serious problem, and it never had been. Despite the dirt, Daryl usually smelled fairly descent given the circumstances. To be honest, she'd gotten used to his scent and she kinda liked it. Sorta.
"Here." Dawn pushed her floating basket of shampoo and conditioner toward Sasha. "Use whatever you want. Nikky hooked me up on this last run. Everything is sulfate-free. I was this close to either shaving my head or figuring out how to do locs—"
"No," Nik said as he lathered a few feet away, "and no. No to both. I like your hair the way it is. I'll always find whatever you need. No shaving. No locs."
Dawn rolled her eyes, and Sasha laughed.
"What's so funny?" Daryl said from a short distance. He had waded in to chest high, but he was a short, respectful distance from Sasha.
"You men are hilarious," Dawn said. "Are you as opinionated as that one over there?"
"This one can hear you quite well," Nik said in a singsong voice.
The women laughed. Daryl's eyes narrowed as he asked, "Opinionated about what?"
"Hair," Dawn said.
"What about it?" He ran a hand through his and got his hair wet. This made the ends stick up. He frowned as he smoothed the hair back. "What's wrong with it?"
"Not yours," Sasha said. "Yours is fine."
"Ain't nothing wrong with yours," Daryl said.
"Good grief," Dawn said, "watch out, Sasha. That's how it starts."
Sasha chuckled.
"I don't know what y'all talkin' 'bout."
"They're trash talking their men," Nik said. "That's what they're doing. Actually, that's what mine is doing and she's trying to get you and Sasha in on it. Just cause I like her hair just the way it is."
"That's not it," Dawn said. "Don't simplify it."
At the confused expression on Daryl's face, Sasha said, "Dawn was talking about either shaving her head or get locs…kinda like Michonne."
"Michonne's hair is cool," Daryl said.
"You think so?" Sasha asked, surprised.
Daryl shrugged. "Sure."
"See!" Dawn said, splashing soundly toward her husband. "You're all caveman, but Daryl's a renaissance man."
"Wait," Nik said, "he hasn't said if he'd like for Sasha to shave her head or get locs. They're talking about someone else, so don't get so cute so fast."
"But you always say I'm cute," Dawn said, giggling.
"You are." Nik grabbed her and pulled her to him. "Even when you're being a smart ass. Help me, Daryl. Truth, you'd be cool if Sasha shaved her head or loc'ed her hair?"
Sasha waited for Daryl to figure out a way out of this conversation. She had seen his unease at the adulation of the newcomers to the prison, but this was another level of discomfort. He bit his bottom lip and studied the landscape as various shades of red colored his chest and crept toward his face.
To interrupt the moment, she retrieved the shampoo from the basket. The cap refused to untwist, and then there was Daryl. Their fingers brushed as he took the bottle from her and twisted the cap loose. This close, he kept his gaze locked on hers. Her heart raced from the way he studied her face.
"I like her hair just fine the way it is," Daryl said, "but I reckon she'd be beautiful no matter how she wore it."
"Damn," Dawn murmured.
"I feel the same way about you," Nik said.
"Hush."
The couple swam a few feet away to make up. Sasha looked in their direction without seeing them. Daryl's words had stunned her. With his close proximity, she couldn't discount the honesty in his eyes. He'd meant every word. Just knowing that took her off center. She wanted to say something, but everything that came to mind made her feel exposed. She wasn't quite ready for that.
"You changed your mind about washing your hair?" he asked.
"No…" She looked at the bottle he still held. His compliment had made her forget all about the small task.
"You'd better hurry. That rain's but minutes away," he said.
"You can use some," Sasha said. "I'm sure Dawn wouldn't mind."
He sniffed it. "Smells like coconuts."
"So?"
"I don't know if I wanna smell like no tropical island and shit."
"You're man enough to pull it off," she said.
A half smile tugged at his mouth. "Fine."
He poured a small amount into his palm, gave her the bottle, and rubbed the shampoo in. She admired his ability to work a lather with one hand while still holding the knife with the other.
"Your turn," he said.
Sasha tugged the tie from her hair and dropped it into the basket. Daryl's avid interest made her somewhat self-conscious, but she pretended not to care. With the water to her neck, she held her breath and ducked underneath the surface to fully wet her hair. When she stood again, she lathered the shampoo and massaged it, one-handed, into her scalp.
"You're moaning like you've found heaven," Daryl said.
"Washing my hair with soap doesn't feel half as good as using shampoo," she said. "I don't know why. There's conditioner, too, if you want some."
"You're using that, too?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"You missing some in the back," he said. "Turn around."
Sasha waded around until her back was to him.
"Hold this." He gave her his knife. "Using one hand just slows it down."
A moment later, she felt both his hands in her hair, molding her scalp and kneading her flesh. Layers of wet hair and shampoo lather did little to block the warmth and insistent pressure of his hands on her. She'd had good shampoos before, but this was by far, the best. An unbidden moan passed from her and she didn't have the strength to feel shame.
"You like that?" he murmured against her ear.
"Oh, yeah," she said with a slight nod. "That's good, Daryl. That's real good."
He massaged a bit more, and then said, "Dunk down again."
She followed his request. When she resurfaced, he tapped her shoulder with the bottle of conditioner.
"This goes on the same way?"
"Yeah," she whispered. "Same way."
She closed her eyes and waited. Daryl didn't disappoint. He massaged the conditioner into her hair with the same precision as he'd shampooed her only a moment ago. A comfortable silence settled between them. Only the occasional giggle from Dawn or heavier laugh from Nik interrupted the quiet. Sasha noted that Daryl took longer to apply the conditioner and he was slower and more pronounced with his massage of her scalp. She hated to think that the rain would come or they'd have to leave the lake.
"It ain't doing what the shampoo done," he murmured.
"It won't lather like soap," she said. "It stays thick like lotion."
"What's it for?" he asked.
"You never used conditioner?"
"I mostly wash my hair with soap," he said. "I don't see how it matters."
"It matters for my type of hair," she said. "Conditioner helps keep it soft and makes it easier to comb."
"You got a comb?"
She laughed. "No. Dawn may have one, but my fingers work just as good."
"Like this?"
Sasha's knees trembled as Daryl slid his fingers through her conditioner-drenched hair. There were a few tugs and snarls, but he worked them out gently. She doubted if he missed a strand.
"Feels good," she murmured again. "You're so gentle. My mama used to say I was tender-headed."
"That means you're a crybaby?" he asked with a smile in his voice.
"Something like that," Sasha confided. "I once cut my hair real short just to avoid letting anyone mess with it."
"I bet it looked good on ya."
"Thanks, Daryl."
"Dunk again."
When she came back up, a thunderclap came with the first sprinkles of rain. Daryl turned and started working the lather from his hair. With his back to her, she saw the scars that crossed his back. Questions plagued her, but she didn't dare voice them. A calm, mellow vibe hung between her and Daryl now. She knew that drawing attention to his past pain would erase the good memories they'd created with a shampoo and conditioner. After everything they'd lost, they needed to create good memories. Something to look back on with a smile.
"It's coming," Daryl said to no one in particular. He started to wade toward the big rock where Nik had left his clothes. "Y'all, c'mon!"
Sasha took Dawn's basket and followed Daryl. By now, he'd disappeared into the bushes to dry off and dress. She grabbed her towel from the rocks and moved into bushes that were a few feet away. Nik and Dawn pulled up the rear. As the sprinkles increased to a downpour, Sasha hurried to grab stuff and race Daryl to the Explorer, but her mind was moving on instinct. Memories of the lake had already begun to form and she couldn't stop thinking about them. She knew this brief respite from walkers was one she'd remember for many days to come.
