Die For You

Previously...

"There it is," Negan smirked. "I knew Rick played into this one way or another. Looked too upset when I whisked you away." His eyes danced with amusement.

I bit my lip. Rick and I were close, more l like siblings than lovers. He'd kissed me once, but we'd both laughed it off, vowing to never tell another soul. I intended to keep that vow. "Rick's just over protective of all of us. He's the leader, so he feels responsible." I shrugged, shifting in my seat. "He's like an older brother to me."

"Really?" Negan scoffed, eyebrows raised. "Okay," He thought for a moment, crossing his arms over his chest. "I guess I can see that."

"Good." I confirmed. "I guess I can handle another glass if you want to hear the conclusion of our run."

Negan smirked. "Sure, sweet cheeks." He drawled. He stood up and grabbed another bottle, twisting it open. He took my glass and refilled it. "Please," He handed it back to me and settled back down on the couch. "Do continue."

Chapter 5

Hunting Cabin located West of West Georgia Correctional Facility

"You're not jealous, are ya Ace?" I teased, "That why you brought me out here, alone?"

Daryl didn't look at me, or answer. He set the bottle down on the side table and stood up from the couch. He took a piece of firewood from the pile I'd made in the corner and tossed it in the fireplace. I found myself following him, and when he turned away from putting the wood on the fire I stopped him from sitting back down.

"What's going on, Dixon?" I asked, my hands on his shoulders."You don't usually bring up something unless it's bothering you." I sighed, "Rick and I being close bother you?"

Daryl's eyes finally met mine and my breath caught. The depth of emotion was overwhelming. He chewed his bottom lip. "Don't bother me," He drawled softly, "if it's what ya want."

I bit my lip to keep from smiling like an idiot. Daryl was always looking out for everyone else. "It's not." I murmured, fingers gripping his leather vest. "I do want something, well," I smirked as my voice dropped, "someone else." I giggled on soft breath, my right hand coming up to smooth his hair out of his eyes, settling at the base of his neck. Daryl's brow furrowed, jaw clenching. Before I could talk myself out of it, I leaned up on my toes and closed the distance between us, lips softly meeting his.

After a few moments, he didn't react. Fuck. I rocked back on my heels, breaking the kiss. I didn't meet his eyes. I was afraid of the rejection I'd find dwelling there. Maybe he didn't have any feelings for me beyond friendship. We were such a good team, now I'd gone and fucked up whatever relationship we did have.

I turned away. "I'll take first watch if you want to get some sleep." I murmured, shuffling towards the front window. I checked outside, didn't see or hear any walkers, then again with the storm raging outside it was hard to hear or see anything. I turned back to make sure I hadn't given Daryl a heart attack or something. I took in a face full of plaid, barely registering he was in front of me before he gripped my biceps and shoved me up against the door so my feet came off the ground a little. Uh oh. Looked like he was angry with me. "Daryl, I-"

Suddenly his lips hungrily met mine. Oh sweet Jesus. That was better. I melted into him, my arms snaking around his neck, fingers curling into his hair, nails scraping his scalp. He growled, pressing me harder into the door. I gasped, and he deepened the kiss, drawing a moan from my chest. He let go of my mouth and I gasped for air, chest heaving. I opened my eyes to find him still very close to me, our noses just brushing. The rush of his nearness had my body buzzing with arousal. I sensed he was waiting for me to either slap him or kiss him. I opted for the latter, my right leg popping up to wrap around his hip so we could fit even closer together. His hands left my biceps, one slid down my hip to cup my ass, the other tangled itself into my hair, pulling my braid loose.

He released my mouth again, this time he trailed kisses down to my throat. "Daryl." I groaned as he bit down on my collarbone, feeling the room spin a little. As much as I was enjoying this, I was also shitfaced drunk. "Room. Spinning." I choked out, my stomach lurching. That got his attention. He pulled back and I settled back on my own two feet. I buried my face in his chest for a few moments, willing the world to right itself again.

I wanted to say something, to clear the air that was crackling between us. Instead, Daryl stepped back, keeping his hand on my waist for support. He peered out the windows to make sure all was still quiet. Then he carefully guided me over to the bed, pulling back the covers before letting me sit down. "Still stormin' pretty good." He mused, voice thicker than usual.

"That's good." I murmured, watching him toe off his boots and shrug off his leather vest. That meant we might actually get some sleep. I was losing the battle of consciousness again, damn liquor. "You gonna keep watch?" I asked softly, hoping he would join me in bed instead. I'd recovered fairly quickly from the assault and after a few nights was able to sleep on my own. We hadn't shared a bed since.

"For 'while." He drawled, "Ya okay?"

I opened my eyes to find him kneeling before me. I bit my lip and nodded, "Just peachy, Ace."

He grunted and straightened up, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. I slowly laid back and he pulled the covers up over me. It wasn't long before I drifted off to dreamland.

When I awoke it was still dark and I wasn't alone in the bed anymore. Daryl must've decided things were quiet enough because he was tucked up behind me, face buried in my neck. I tried to shift unto my back, but Daryl's leg was thrown over mine, preventing me from rolling over without waking him. I twisted to look at his face. In the dim light, he looked so peaceful, probably the most relaxed I'd ever seen him. I pressed a soft kiss to his jaw, marveling at how we'd gotten to this point. I never thought our relationship would take this turn. When we first met I was forced to depend on him so much. He never acted like I was a burden, or even complained about me. He gave me a hard time of course, but he never made me feel weak.

"Can't sleep?" He murmured, eyes opening just a smidge, his voice rough with sleep.

"Something like that." I answered, shifting fully to face him now that he was awake. I took a deep breath, "You okay with this?" I bit my lip, holding my breath.

Daryl sighed, his hand palming the back of my head, bringing me in close. " 's different." He drawled, mouth a few inches from mine.

"Different?" I echoed. "How?"

He scoffed. "Jus' different." He smirked, teeth flashing in the darkness.

"Hmmm." I smirked, enjoying watching him squirm. I imagined he wasn't usually friends with the women found himself in bed with.

His fingers tucked my hair behind my ear. "Never been this close." He confessed. My suspicions were confirmed. I knew a relationship with Daryl Dixon, on whatever level would be a challenge. I'd prepared myself that we were navigating into uncharted territory.

I locked eyes with him for a moment. "Me either." I divulged nervously. I hoped he believed me. This whole being friends, depending on each other thing with a guy who I was attracted to was new for me. I'd been in relationships, but not as close as I was with Daryl. I trusted him with my life, he always had my back. Joining the group at the prison gave me a new sense of purpose and Daryl was a big part of that. "You still jealous of our fearless leader?"

Daryl grunted, eyes opening a little wider this time. He sniffed, "Nah."

"You sure?" I sighed, moving closer into his arms.

"Gotcha here with me." He drawled, placing a soft kiss on my collarbone, before sinking his teeth into my flesh. I clutched at his waist, arching my back while my chest heaved. I was definitely going to have a nice hickie for everyone's viewing pleasure when we returned to the prison.

I suddenly realized the storm had subsided. "Storm's done?" I yawned, stretching a little as Daryl pulled back to listen to our surroundings.

"Seems like it." He murmured, his eyes raking down my chest as I arched my back.

"See something ya like?" I teased, biting my lip.

Daryl grunted, pulling me closer. He suddenly claimed my mouth in a hard kiss, biting my lower lip causing me to gasp. He deepened the kiss, rolling over so he loomed above me.

A walker groan reached my ears before the creature began pounding on the door-

Sanctuary

"Son of a bitch!" Negan exclaimed. "You've got to be shittin' me, Roz."

I laughed. "Now, would I do that?" I teased, taking a sip from my glass.

Negan chuckled. "I'd hope not, sweet cheeks." He pursed his lips, glancing at the darkened windows. "I think that's enough for tonight." He smiled warmly, "I think we'll have to continue reminiscing tomorrow evening."

I grinned. Oh good, I had him hooked. "Sure, I'd like that."

"It's gettin' late." He sighed. "Probably should get some shut eye." He yawned.

I found myself yawning too. Evidently the little nap I'd caught wasn't enough. "Sounds like a plan."

"Speaking of plan." Negan drawled. "What did you do before this shitstorm?"

"I was a naval aviator, turned corrections officer." I answered, feeling my cheeks heat. I didn't like telling people I was a fighter pilot. Once I told them, they usually started treated me like I was a goddamn hero or something, which I wasn't. I told Negan because I figured he had a soft spot for military heroes.

"Really?" Negan smirked, "A goddamn fighter pilot?!"

I nodded. "Yeah, but I was originally a medic." I shrugged, "Still, I always wanted to fly."

"A medic," Negan repeated. "Hmmm." He thought for a moment. "How about you help out Dr. Carson tomorrow, he's been on my ass about getting an assistant."

Oh good. I wasn't going to just follow Negan around during my stay here. Being integrated into the Sanctuary gave me a chance to figure out an escape plan. I don't know if Negan really thought that angle through, but I wasn't going to protest. "Sure, that sounds lovely." I smiled, polishing off my glass.

He led the way back to my room, pausing at the door. "The Sanctuary has round the clock guards, so you're safe here." He assured me. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "Sweet dreams, Roz." He purred, bowing slightly.

"You too," I murmured back, biting my lip, trying to look coy. I went inside my room and swiftly locked the door behind me, didn't want any unwanted visitors popping in overnight. I sat down on the edge of the bed, and held my head in my hands for a moment, trying to get myself to calm down. All I wanted to do was to make sure Daryl was safe. I knew I couldn't sleep until I knew he was okay.

I crept from my room, down the same way Sherry had led me before. This time the guardpost was occupied. Thankfully, the guard had dozed off, probably due to the late hour. I slinked along the hall in the shadows and around the corner to where Daryl was being held. I knelt down and pressed my ear to the cold metal door.

"Daryl?" I whispered, pressing my ear harder against the door, trying to hear any moment. "Daryl," I tried again, "It's Red." I heard shuffling and a soft grunt. I stuck my fingers through the crack under the door. "I'm here." I sniffed, not realizing my eyes had welled up. I wiped the tears away with the back of my free hand.

My eyes flitted closed as his fingers encased mine. He squeezed them gently and I squeezed back, unable to help the sigh of relief that escaped my lips. I was a fucking mess. As much as I wanted to have hope, I knew getting out of here was going to take everything I had within me and a hefty dose of luck. "I'm gonna get us outta here." I murmured, squeezing his fingers again. "Daryl, I-" my voice broke, "I'm okay. Negan is having me tell him stories of how we've made it this far." I sighed. "He hasn't threatened me." I assured him.

He squeezed my fingers. "I'm helping Dr. Carson in the infirmary tomorrow, looks like I'll be earning my keep after all." I bit my lip. I was going to get us out of here. He didn't have to break. He couldn't break. Not after everything we'd been through. I wasn't sure if he'd come back from it. "Don't you dare give in to this asshole, Daryl Dixon." I whispered. "I will get us out of here." Saying it outloud helped me believe it.

He squeezed my fingers again. He understood. "Don't be stupid." He rasped through the door. I snorted softly, earning another squeeze from his fingers for emphasis. Voices down the hall made the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention. If I didn't get lost, I was going to get caught. "Gotta scram, Ace." I murmured, giving his fingers one last squeeze before letting go. I pushed off the cold cement floor and headed back to my room the long way around. I went up one level, then across, past the infirmary and dorms before finally heading upstairs.

I slept fitfully, and found myself eternally grateful for the steaming cup of coffee Sherry pressed into my hands at breakfast the next morning. When I arrived at the Infirmary, Negan was there, telling Dr. Carson I would be assisting him.

"Ah, here she is." Negan smirked. "Good morning, sweetheart." His lips twitched. "Enjoying the coffee?"

I felt my cheeks heat, "You caught me." I chuckled, polishing off my mug.

"Sleep well?" He asked, totally ignoring the glare the good doctor was giving him.

"For the most part." I murmured, giving him a soft smile. I stepped forward and offered my hand to the doctor. "Hello, I'm Roz."

He shook my hand warmly. "Great to meet you, I'm Dr. Carson."

"Likewise." I grinned. "How can I help?" I asked, glancing around the well stocked room.

Negan's lips twitched as he watched us. "I guess I'll leave you two, to it then." He smirked. "See you tonight, Roz." Then he was gone.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Dr. Carson noticed. "You okay?" He murmured, his hand gripping my forearm for support. We exchanged a knowing look. I guess the good doctor wasn't exactly on board with the Saviors either. Another ally, perhaps?

I gave him a tight smile. "Just peachy." I motioned to the screen. "Do we have a patient?"

"Yes, you do." Sherry answered, emerging from behind the screen. She held in her hand a pregnancy test. Oh shit. Was Negan trying to repopulate the earth too?

"Roz, would you check Sherry's vitals? You can record them in this chart." He handed me a clipboard.

"Sure." I agreed, motioning for Sherry to sit on the exam table. I grabbed a thermometer and blood pressure cuff. "Under your tongue please," I handed her the thermometer. I slid the cuff on her arm and began pumping.

I'd just finished taking her blood pressure when the door swung open and my breath caught. Dwight entered shoving Daryl in front of him. "Carson!" He called. They'd at least given him clothes. Grungy sweats, but at least he wasn't naked anymore in that dirty cell. They'd hosed him down too, probably a cold shower, the bastards.

I made quick notes of her temperature and blood pressure. "All normal, Sherry." I murmured, giving her a tight smile.

"We were just finishing up." Dr. Carson explained to Dwight.

He looked annoyed, "Chop, chop." He barked.

"Thanks." Sherry sighed, pushing off the table. "H-hi, D."

"Hey." Dwight answered back, malice gone.

"Daryl, right?" She spoke boldly to the obvious prisoner.

"Don't." Dwight stepped in. "Don't talk to him, Sherry." He warned.

Sherry just shrugged, "It's negative." She said seeing Dwight catch sight of the pregnancy test as I was throwing it away.

Dwight looked stricken. "Well, maybe next time." He tried to sound encouraging, jealous was more like it.

Sherry gave him a sad smile. Then she turned to Daryl again, "Whatever they say, just do it-"

"I said, don't talk to him." Dwight insisted, growing impatient.

I pursed my lips to muffle the territorial growl that ripped from my throat. Who was she to tell him what to do? I took a deep breath to get myself back together and turned my attention to our new patient. My hands shook as I reached out for him, gently removing his shirt. It felt oddly intimate, even with Dwight and Dr. Carson watching.

Dr. Carson stepped up and removed Daryl's bandage, inspecting the wound. "It will heal, if you let it." He informed Daryl. "Negan will take care of you."

I scoffed, but bit my lip to keep from cursing aloud. Dwight focused on me for a moment. "Wait a minute, you're Rosalind." He concluded. "You're Daryl's girl, right?" He laughed, "This has got to be gut wrenching for you."

"He's family." I murmured, handing Dr. Carson a bottle of peroxide to clean Daryl's wound.

"Ah, but he's more than that from what I hear." Dwight smirked. "Why else would you surrender?"

I shrugged, "We don't leave family behind."

Dwight barked a laugh. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that's why you're here."

"Isn't that why you're here?" I snapped back, "Family?"

Dwight just shook his head like he couldn't believe my denial. Daryl had the beginnings of a smirk on his lips.

"All set." Dr. Carson announced after securing Daryl's wound with a clean bandage.

I helped Daryl slip back on his shirt, dropping a quick kiss to his neck as I brought the material down. His hand shot out to grip my wrist. He gave it a squeeze before he slid off the table and followed Dwight to the door.

"See ya around, Roz." Dwight smirked, grabbing Daryl by the collar and shoving him out the door.

My hands balled into fists at my sides, but I kept my face neutral. I was going to kill Negan. Then I was going to kill Dwight.

"Would you mind wiping down the table before our next patient, please?" Dr. Carson asked, busying himself with making notes in Daryl's chart.

"Sure." I said with a warm smile. I didn't want the good doctor to think I was incapable of doing my job. Wouldn't want to give Negan anything further to hold over my head.

The day moved pretty quickly, Dr. Carson saw twelve more patients between our small lunch break and the evening. He sent me away telling me I'd done a good job and to come back tomorrow. So I wandered. I ended up outside on a stairway landing, overlooking a side yard where some motorcycles were parked. I looked to my right and my blood ran cold.

Daryl stood in the middle of a circle of Saviors with Negan.

"Who are you?" Negan asked the whole group.

"Negan!" They replied obediently.

"You see that?" Negan smirked, "I am everywhere. And this was your shot to prove that one fundamental fact was sinking in and you failed." He frowned, "Which sucks, because your life was about to get so much cooler." He sighed. "Am I right?"

"Damn right," Fat Joey replied.

"Now, Dwight gave you some options. I don't think you get it yet, so I'm going to break it down for you." He held up three fingers. "You get three choices. One. You wind up on the spike and you work for me as a dead man." He took a breath, "Two. You get out of your cell, you work for points, but you're going to wish you were dead." He nodded, "Or three. You work for me. You get yourself a brand new pair of shoes and you live like a KING!" He exclaimed. "The choice seems pretty obvious. You should know, there is no door number four." He smirked. "This is it. This is the only way." He waited a moment, giving Daryl a chance to say something. When he didn't, Negan lost his patience. "Screw it." He scoffed, winding up to swing Lucille at Daryl.

"Daryl!" I screamed, launching myself down the steps and towards the group. To my relief, Daryl was still standing when I reached the bottom. My hands clenched into fists as I watched Negan get up in Daryl's face.

Instead of bashing in Daryl's skull, Negan stopped just short. Even with my outburst, Daryl didn't flinch. "Wow!" Negan exclaimed, "You don't scare easy." He chuckled darkly, "I love that." He took a step back, "Now Lucille, well, it kinda pisses her off. She finds it to be disrespectful." He held the bat up near Daryl's face. "Lucky for you, she's not feeling too thirsty today." Then he whispered,"But I am." with a sneer. "So," He sighed, "I'm gonna go comfort your probably very traumatized girlfriend over there and get me a drink!" He chuckled cheerfully, giving Daryl a knowing wink. He turned away from Daryl, leaving the circle of men with a flourish. He came straight for me.

"All done with the good doctor, sweet cheeks?" He asked, "Why don't you join me for that drink." He put his arm around me, shouldered Lucille, and let out a signature Savior whistle.

Dearest Readers

This was a painful chapter to write, especially the end! I hope you don't mind the use of dialogue from the show, I try not to stray too far from cannon. I really like the challenge of dropping my OC in the established environment and see where it goes.

On to the next flashback we go! I'm thinking it's time to take a look at what happened when the Prison was abandoned and our beloved Survivors arrived at Terminus. I'm hoping to explore the relationship that Roz has with Carol and not take away Carol's one woman army badassery in the process. Wish me luck!

xoxo

Lumora The White