A/N: Thank you all for the favs and reviews. You are so amazing and give me the best feedback. I want to apologize in advance for this chapter. Last Sunday gave me so little to work with. So when in doubt, or blocked, then write smut. So gratuitous smut and lovey-dovey alert. Fluffy filler!
"I really don't feel good about this. Rick still isn't himself completely and Carl is barely thirteen!" Lane protested to Daryl, which was pointless because she already knew he agreed with Rick.
"They'll be fine. Between Rick and Michonne, the kid's as safe as he could be," Daryl insisted as he walked side to side carrying Judith, periodically bouncing her as he watched Lane pace anxiously. The light was now streaming down through the dingy windows, creating soft rays across the perch which caught her cheek every time she turned.
"You think I'm being stupid don't you?" Lane stopped in front of him, her seafoam eyes full of worry.
"I just think ya see things differently," Daryl refused to get drawn into a lose-lose argument and instead smirked down at Judith who giggled at every word.
"Really? Answers like that while kissing a baby? Someone might think you're running for political office? That answer couldn't have been any more diplomatic?" Lane had to laugh at herself and him. Damn, did he look hot while holding Judith.
"Ain't something I ever been accused of before," Daryl still focused his attention down at Asskicker.
"Well it doesn't matter anymore. They've already left," Lane reached down to let Judith play with her pinkie which Judith immediately put in her mouth and started gumming on it.
"You and Rick seemed pretty intense last night," Lane looked up into Daryl's clear blue eyes. "Everything ok?"
"It's good. Rick just asked me ta watch over Asskicker for him while he's gone...ya know, if there's any trouble," Daryl averted his head as if just by saying it out loud it gave it more of a chance of happening. The thought of Rick not returning was far more upsetting than he ever would have imagined, being he wasn't kin.
Lane eye's widened as she stared at Daryl. He was obviously trying to minimize what a huge deal this was. What an honor it was.
"I guess that makes you Judith's godfather, doesn't it?" Lane smiled up at Daryl, lamenting the loss of such comforting rituals like the Christening.
Daryl tried to shrug it off but Lane saw just how affected he was by this and how seriously took the responsibility. In fact, Daryl had been holding Judith non-stop ever since Rick and Carl left this morning with Michonne.
"I guess it kinda does?" Daryl smiled into the baby's eyes that were still a dark blue. It was a sort of karmic relief that regardless of Judith's eventual eye color, the biological father would still be undetermined. Anything other than that would be just suspicion.
"I just keep picturing her at 16 trying to introduce her first boyfriend to her 'Uncle Daryl'. The poor boy will be so terrified," Lane never even entertained the possibility that Judith might not reach her teens.
"If he's that much of a pussy then he ain't right fer Asskicker anyway," Daryl's response was fierce and protective, as Judith squeezed his finger even tighter as if to prove his point.
"She's a lucky girl," Lane leaned over and softly kissed Daryl's cheek and Daryl couldn't stop the rush of heat to his face. He had learned to take the worst of abuses, but to take praise and compliments? Those he still struggled with.
"I gotta go. Got watch in a bit and Chinaman'll have my ass if I'm late. Take her?," Daryl passed the infant to Lane even though he knew he had to go or he'd get an earful from Glenn.
Lane immediately reached for Judith and held her snugly to her chest Only then did she smell it. She'd been set up.
"Oh, No Way!" Lane squinted her eyes at him. "You SO did this on purpose!" she accused.
"It's women's work anyway. I gotta go and do the man's work...keep us safe an' all," Daryl teased but paused a second, just a second before he bent down and dropped a quick kiss on her lips, confident that she couldn't punch him with Asskicker in her arms.
Lane tried to work up a mad, but to see Daryl swagger away...so confident and happy, it just made her smile. Well worth a poopy diaper!
"You'll pay for this, Daryl Dixon" Lane still pretended to be angry as she yelled at his back. All he did was raise his fingers in a backwards wave as he walked towards the exit.
"Close your eyes Asskicker," Lane then shot Daryl a bird which only made him laugh harder as he opened the gate.
"Come on stinky girl, let's go visit your Aunt Maggie," Lane patted her tiny bottom and headed over to the Cafeteria.
"Good lord! Ya shit yer pants?" Merle's face contorted in disgust then he just laughed as she walked into the cafeteria and sat down next to him, making sure Judith's diaper was the closest to him. Lane knew nobody else would sit with Merle, so she felt a strange obligation to do so...but she did so for Daryl.
"Merle if you keep giving me a hard time, I'm going to make you change her diaper," Lane refused to take Merle's shit, and it somehow seemed to ease things between them.
"Now ya know I cain't do that Lanie. I only got this one hand," Merle explained with such exaggerated sincerity, it actually made her laugh.
"You're really going to sit there with a straight face and tell me that you can take down a herd of walkers but dealing with Asskicker's poopy diaper is too much?" Lane lightly shoved Merle with her free hand.
"You two stop arguing and hand me that poor baby! And stop calling her Asskicker!" Miriam stepped forward to take Judith. "You're confusing her!"
Lane left Merle and went with Miriam and Ethel in the kitchen, and decided it was also time for Judith to have a bath. Maggie had left them the diaper bag so Lane and Miriam soon had Judith bathed, freshly diapered and dressed.
"Merle? You keep eating like that, and you won't fit through the door," Miriam grabbed his third plate and took it away from him and headed back to the kitchen.
"Here," Lane passed the baby to Merle so she could grab a plate for herself and fix a bottle for Judith.
She returned and sat down across from Merle who actually had Judith awkwardly cradled in his right arm so his left was free. She handed the warm bottle to Merle while she drank her coffee and nibbled on what remained of the crumble cake.
"I cain't feed no baby!" Merle protested, turning grumpy and irritable. "Take her!"
"Sorry but everyone pitches in. Here," Lane reached over and put the bottle in Judith's mouth, forcing Merle to steady the bottle and take over the demeaning task.
"Don't let her suck it all down at once or she'll puke on you," Lane warned Merle as she sat back down to eat her own breakfast.
She smirked at Merle who was horribly uncomfortable with holding Judith, much less feeding her. But to his credit he was trying.
"So, who is Mariel?" Lane asked Merle outright, holding her coffee with both hands and stared at the burly man.
"She ain't nobody that matters," Merle stiffened which only made Judith start to fuss. "Not anymore," Merle's blue eyes darkened as he turned his head.
But the look of determination on her face told Merle he better give up more, or she wouldn't shut up or leave him be.
"So whatever. There's this woman back in Woodbury, a decent lady," Merle finally started talking but Lane had no intention of letting up, empowered by his semi-helpless state.
"How did you meet her?" Lane continued to press, swirling the remaining coffee in her cup.
"She's a nurse...she helped me out a few times...patched me up," Merle left out how she found him bleeding out and how Mariel had been the one that refused to go any further if The Governor refused to help him and bring him along. How she'd been the one to help him through the withdrawals and even transfused him with her own blood. How she helped fashion him with the prosthetic so he could be useful. She hadn't really liked the knife accessory, but was smart enough to know he needed it. But he never told her about his actions outside the walls of Woodbury.
Merle had been attracted to Mariel from the moment he saw her, which was the moment he regained consciousness, after he'd crashed the panel truck. And what wasn't to like? Her thick red hair that shone like fire and her light green eyes that made him think of Maureen O'hara. The actress that starred with John Wayne in those old movies he used to watch with his mama before she passed. But it was the kindness in her eyes that hooked him. Women had only ever been with him because they wanted something, usually for some quick cash or his drugs. Soon enough, he learned to accept and even encourage.
"Sounds like an impressive woman. It's a shame though. We could sure use someone like her ...here with us? In our group." Lane knew she was being a bit pushy but had no idea how else to find out about her...and Merle. More importantly how to smooth things over so that Merle was so invested in this group that he wouldn't even consider ruining things
"What about what Andrea said? That the people of Woodbury are good folks. Is that more of Andrea's delusion or is it really true?" Lane was fascinated by how Judith was so calmly nursing her bottle in Merle's arms.
"Most of 'em have no idea what's goin' on," Merle's eyes became guarded as he remembered. "They're just so afraid of what's beyond dem walls, that The Governor can do whatever he wants. He adds to the fear by holding the fights."
"Does Mariel know?" Lane asked. "Understand what's really going on, I mean?"
"No...she just helps folks," Merle sounded so emotionless. Like he was trying to purge any memory of Woodbury.
"Ya'd better burp her," Lane warned even though Judith was still sucking voraciously on that bottle like Maggie Simpson with her pacifier.
"But she ain't done yet," Merle protested, strangely unwilling to upset the infant...not if she was still hungry.
"I'm warning you," Lane told him, her eyes telling him she was completely serious.
"Fine!" Merle snapped, relieved to finally not have to talk about Mariel and Woodbury any longer. He reluctantly pulled the bottle away and Judith immediately began to fuss in protest.
"See! Told ya she was still hungry," Merle snapped at Lane.
"Just put her on your shoulder and pat her back," Lane kept nibbling at her cake, entertained by Merle's struggles with Judith. She was half tempted to let Judith puke on him, but then she would just have to feed her all over again and also likely end up having to wash Merle's clothes too.
Merle rolled his eyes but followed her instructions. It wasn't like he had much choice anymore anyway. He was little more than these folk's bitch right now, so he gave up and patted the runts back awhile. Now that she didn't smell like shit, Asskicker wasn't quite so awful. She actually smelled kinda nice. Kinda reminded him when his mama first brought Daryl home from the hospital.
Judith then let one rip, her burp reverberating through her entire teeny body and even making her little legs shake. Then a big smile erupted on her face.
"Damn Gerl! Ain't that one fer the books?" Merle lifted her up as best he could and grinned.
"Merle, I'm in love yer brother," Lane suddenly admitted for no apparent reason. It was so out of the blue it freaked her out a bit. "Shit, I shouldn't have said that. I haven't even told Daryl."
"So! Tell me somethin' I don't already know," Merle laughed and was rewarded by Judith's giggle...or was it gas?
"Yeah, I guess I haven't exactly been subtle. Is it too much? Too pushy? I know he doesn't like that sort of thing'." Lane began to fiddle with the crumbs on her plate again, squeezing them together into little dough balls.
"He never wanted to leave ya. He moped like a lost puppy the entire time," Merle's voice sounded different, like it was heavy with emotion. "He's different now than when we got separated." Merle admitted, now actively bouncing Judith in his arms and actually smiling at the baby when she giggled.
"But he'll probably think yer too good fer him. He was always soft. I ain't saying it in a bad way. Just, no matter what out daddy did, he still tried. He ever tell ya about the scars?" Merle's eyes were again guarded but he still brought it up. Lane glanced over in surprise that Merle was actually engaging her. She shook her head No.
"I figured he'd tell me when he was ready," Lane admitted, but every time her fingertips had caressed his welts it broke her heart, more so that he wouldn't tell her where they came from.
"It was our no-good drunken excuse fer a daddy. I told Daryl I'd protect him! But I didn't," Merle turned away as guilt ate through his soul.
"But you took the beatings first didn't you?" Lane realized her heart was also aching for a younger Merle. He wouldn't answer but that was her answer.
"Merle, you must have done something right. Look at the man your brother is," Lane wasn't sure what else she could say. "Sounds like that had more to do with you than your mom and dad."
"He's a good man. Better dan me, no doubt. But that's in spite of me, ain't because of me," Merle stood up abruptly and shoved Judith into her arms, storming out of the cafeteria.
"Hey Merle! You're wrong! I know you told Daryl about the attack! Because you knew he'd insist on coming back!" she yelled at his back, which stormed through the double doors. PWhat's with yelling at Dixons as they walk away from her, she mulled as she bounced Judith in her arms.
"Asskicker? You are the only girl I know that can fart, burp, shit her pants and barf and still be a dude magnet. You are going to be 'Hell on Heels' one day, Baby Girl," Lane spoke to Judith who cooed incoherently right back at her.
"You are such a vixen," Lane kissed her teenie toes."Uncle Daryl and Uncle Merle are nuts about you?" Lane teased her little toes. "Merle just doesn't know it yet."
"I can take watch," Lane argued with Daryl and Hershel. Daryl had finished his shift but Rick wasn't back yet.
"Lane? We're all worried about Rick, Carl and Michonne. But we need you here to keep things running smoothly. Everyone here listens to you. Hell, even Merle listens to you," Hershel worked to cajole her into standing aside.
"Anything from the Woodbury folks yet?" Daryl placed his palm on the small of her back, fresh from a shower after watch duty. Carol and Tyreese had the 11:00 - 7:00 shift.
"So far, nothing. I've fashioned a basic radio signal. With the computer we found, I can keep a looped message playing but we still need a person to stand by and listen if there's a response. I think we outta move it to either our cells or the cafeteria," Alan joined the conversation, pleased to finally be able to help contribute to the survival of this group.
"That's amazing Alan! We might even find survivors that aren't in Woodbury," Lane encouraged the newcomer who stood by proudly.
"Where's Asskicker?" Daryl felt a strange eagerness to hold the baby again.
"If you mean Judith, she's right here," Ethel emerged from the kitchen to place the infant into his eager, waiting arms. She'd been fussy all afternoon but as soon as Daryl started swinging her she settled right down.
"Ya gonna be a little redneck gerl? Let me teach ya to shoot when yer older?" Daryl cooed at the baby while Lane looked on. He could be so hot, and he had no idea. Lane had to silently yell at her ovaries to settle down.
"Say 'Hell yeah and Yee Haw'?" Lane teased him by joining in, singing along with the song.
OOOOOOOO
"Did you see Merle? Is he ok?" Mariel waited impatiently until she was sure Andrea was alone. They still walked back behind the clinic and skulked further behind in the bushes just to be safe.
"He's ok. They keep him locked up, because he beat up and nearly killed my friend Glenn. But don't worry, his brother will protect him." Andrea reassured her.
"But Merle wouldn't beat someone up, not without good cause..." Mariel shook her head, trying to understand what was happening. But the look in Andrea's eyes told Mariel that Merle really done what she'd said. But not what the Governor had accused.
The town was quickly erupting into chaos and she was so afraid. Could she survive out there on her own? And now she was finding out the man she'd started to care about might not be who she thought. It was all too much!
"They said Phillip attacked them first! Shot their people and ran a van full of walkers into their secure area," Andrea ran her fingers through her blonde curls, herself tormented by this new information.
"The only reason they even attacked us in the first place was because Merle kidnapped two of his old group in an attempt to find his brother. When they refused to talk, Phillip got involved. Had Merle nearly kill my friend, Glenn.
"Not Merle," Mariel sighed as she started to massage her temples. She never thought of herself as stupid or even naive. But maybe she was. She knew Merle had likely done the horrible things Andrea said. But that wasn't the whole story! It couldn't be!
"Everyone's terrified and Phillip has everyone preparing for battle. Even has the kids carrying guns. And for what?" Mariel rattled off all that had happened today. With a deep breath, she turned to face Andrea. "We have to stop this!"
"I know! That's why I came back. To get the truth out to everyone. They made these," Andrea showed her the flyer. Along with a brief message about what happened and assurances of peace there was a picture of Beth holding Judith.
"But I can't disseminate them. There's too many eyes on me," Andrea hoped Mariel was up to the task.
"There's a baby?" Mariel couldn't pull her eyes away from the infant in the photo. They still had a few children left in Woodbury, but all older than ten. No pregnancies...it was smart and made complete sense. But was terribly sad.
"Yes, but they desperately need formula and supplies. Her mom, Lori, didn't survive childbirth." Andrea explained. "Can you help me get the message out to everyone. Convince them not to fight so we can stop all this?"
"Of course I will," Mariel had to do something to help. "I just can't believe that after all we've already overcome... fighting the biters and securing this town, we are actually fighting with the few living human beings left."
Andrea nodded her agreement, then just leaned against the other woman and wrapped her arm around Mariel's slim shoulders. It made Andrea miss Michonne and her friendship all the more.
But there was nobody better for this task. Everyone in town loved Mariel. Moreover, they respected her and cared about her. And, they would listen to her.
"We can't be obvious about it or let Phillip find out," Andrea handed her the stack of papers, trying not to shudder at what could happen to Mariel if she was caught.
"Then I won't get caught," Mariel took the papers and tucked them into her coat and headed back to her house worrying. What had she just gotten herself into?
"Beth and Carl wouldn't let ya take Asskicker fer da night, huh?" Daryl teased her when she walked into the RV empty handed, even though it was well past midnight.
"I'm being clingy, I know it." Lane plopped onto the sofa beside him and leaned into him. "I am, I know I am. But I can't seem to help it. She's just so beautiful! Like she's the hope!"
"Naw, yer the perfect amounta clingy," Daryl pulled her even closer until her head finally rested on his shoulder and he nestled his nose into her neck, breathing in the clean scent of citrus soap and her shampoo. In the back of his mind, he fantasized about what it would have been like to come home to her after work.
"Rick and Michonne seemed more... sympatico or something after they got back, don't you think?" Lane sipped more of the wine Daryl had poured her. With their imminent demise, it seemed pointless to be saving the wine. And she'd be damned if the Governor was going to enjoy one damned drop.
"Hmmm," Daryl just pretended to listen and stroked her hair, threading his fingers in the silkiness of it. He liked the sound of her voice. And he really liked unwinding before bed like this. The two nights with Merle made him appreciate all the good in his life.
"Did you ever meet this Morgan, Rick ran into again today?" Lane asked Daryl as she began to feel even more relaxed.
"Nah. Rick had already left him when he headed to Atlanta to look for Lori and Carl. The first day I met Rick was when he told me how he cuffed Merle to the roof," Daryl explained to her. It felt like that had all happened two lifetimes ago.
"Oh my God! I can't imagine what that must have done to you," Lane was visibly horrified, spinning around to face him, hands caressing both sides of his face.
"I wasn't exactly calm," Daryl could kind of laugh about it now, even though it wasn't really funny. But as Lane met Daryl's eyes, all the old hurt of Daryl leaving resurfaced for some reason.
"Daryl? I would have gone with you. If you had asked? ," Lane hated how pathetic she sounded, and the way Daryl's eyes began to dart back and forth as if panicked, told her she'd gone too far...pushed him too much.
"Nevermind, I shouldn't have said anything," Lane pushed herself up off the RV sofa and headed to the kitchenette, setting her empty glass on the counter. And then she stilled.
Fuck this! The Governor is not getting a drop of my wine. She swiftly poured herself another overly full glass and sucked it down so fast, it made her head spin. Then she poured another and repeated.
Daryl sat there paralyzed and watched as she walked away from him, then watched her suck down an entire glass of wine ...and then another. This couldn't be happening. Things had been so perfect just a few moments ago...and now this.
There were so many things Daryl wanted to say...things he wished he'd already said. But as usual he decided on action rather than words.
Lane squealed aloud when she felt Daryl come up behind her and wrap his arms around his waist to lift her up into his arms and carry her back to the sofa, nuzzling her neck with his lips the entire time.
"Daryl!" Lane playfully squealed as she pushed against his chest, the giant rush of alcohol not helping any.
"Lane, I hate myself for leaving. I mean it! But I think...No, I knew it was just a matter of time 'til I disappointed you. And to expose you to a life on the run with me and Merle...that I couldn't do to you," Daryl held her face in his hands. "You deserve so much better."
"What about what I want. I just want to be with you! If you don't feel the same, please just tell me to my face. Let me go." Lane stroked his goatee as she stared into his blue eyes.
"Yer too good fer me," Daryl finally admitted his deepest fear, his face bending down in humiliation.
"That is the last time I ever want those words to come out of your mouth, do you hear me!" Lane's green eyes sparkled with intense passion. And before she could stop herself she smashed her lips against his.
Daryl was still at first, not quite absorbing her words and then when her tongue slid over his lower lip what little was left of any self-control evaporated.
"Lane," he groaned into her mouth and his fingers tightened in her hair and he pulled her closer. Lane felt the familiar heat begin to pool in her belly, as if it were a snake uncoiling. Without even realizing she'd done it, she crawled on top of him, eagerly straddling his thighs.
"Gerl..." Daryl's voice was so husky and even guttural in her ear that it made her even weaker.
"Daryl...you feel ... so nice," Lane couldn't stop slowly rubbing herself against his erection, which strained against his trousers and aroused her.
"Nice?" Daryl teased and pretended to be offended, while holding her hips so tightly against him that she could feel just how 'nice' he was. In the mean time, his hands roamed over her body then cupped her ass while he kissed and nipped her neck.
"Maybe a little bit better than nice..." she laughed into his mouth as she kept kissing him, loving how his hands roamed up and down her naked back and then back down to grip her hips and ass.
"I'll show ya NICE!" Daryl jerked her up off the sofa, carrying her up with him, his arms cupped under her ass and her legs wrapped around his waist. He walked down the small galley towards the Queen bed, groaning as Lane continued running her tongue along his neck.
When he finally reached the bed, Daryl stumbled and they both ended up tangled and sprawled on top of each other, limbs all intertwined and both of them breathing hard.
Lane was laughing hysterically as she made her way to sit up onto
her knees, reaching towards him and frantically unbuttoning his plaid shirt and tossing it off aside.
Daryl was even more eager for Lane, sliding his hands up under her shirt and lifting the cotton fabric up and over her head so he could feel her soft skin against his.
He couldn't help but gaze at her before him, clad in just her pink lacy bra and her jeans. He longed to rip off her bra, but instead he bent down to suckle her nipple through the lacy fabric. But the effect of her soft hands as they flicked open the button on his pants, then the way she reached in to stroke him, it frickin' drove him insane.
"Christ! Stop it gerl, 'er I ain't gonna last," Daryl pleaded then threw his head back and moaned when she began to slowly rub his pre-cum over his pulsating tip. His desire for her only made her more excited and she felt that familiar moisture drip between her legs.
He slid her jeans down her hips and stepped away, but only to pull them off and throw them in the corner with the rest of their clothes.
"I wanna just look at ya fer awhile," Daryl leaned over on his elbow so he could run his hands up and down her body. She still had on her panties which seemed to be even more tantalizing to him than if she was completely naked.
Lane's breath caught in her throat and her heart was thumping madly in her chest as he forced her to lie still. So she began to mimic his motions with her own fingertips, each mirroring the other's actions. And it had to be the most erotic thing she'd ever done. She'd flick her finger over his nipple, then he'd do the same to her. He'd bite her earlobe then breathe into her ear, and she would mimic that...and so it went. Until they were both trembling from need.
Daryl's fingers began slowly running unique designs down her neck, then over her collarbone, then over the the fabric of her bra, which was where he seemed most satisfied to trace the perimeter of the lacy fabric, only occassionally dipping his fingers inside and making her squirm.
Lane couldn'd stand it anymore...the tortuous teasing...the way he kept flicking his thumb OVER and OVER her fabric covered nipples. She sat up, desperate to reach around to undo her bra clasp, eager for more.
"Nope," Daryl batted her hands away and gently pushed her back down, but only so he could bend back down to tantalize the swollen tips with his tongue, his goatee scruffing against her stomach. Only then did he slide the bra straps down her shoulders then reached around to flick it off.
"Please," Lane moaned into his mouth as he kept up with his assault on her mouth.
"Please what? Please Stop? Or please don't stop?" Daryl continued his teasing, fascinated by how much fun this was. Exploring a woman's body had never been something he'd ever done...or thought he could do. But now, he loved being able to explore every dip, every curve, and every swell of Lane's body. He'd never even kissed those other women, much less thought about pleasuring them.
"Stop...no don't stop," Lane's fingernails dug into his biceps as she tossed her head side to side.
"Don't you dare stop!" Lane needed him far too much to continue this way. But her plan was to whip him into the same sexual frenzy she was now in. She slipped her hand back down into his pants and began to stroke him, using her other hand to squeeze then tickle his balls.
"Damn Gerl! Ya play dirty!" He groaned into her neck, involuntarily shuddering as the ripples of pleasure rushed through him.
"You want me to stop?" she teased him back with her tongue as she whispered into his mouth.
"Fuck..." Daryl shuddered again as she stroked him faster.
"Sounds good," she traced the outside of his ear with her tongue as she huskily retorted. The way his hands slowly ran over her body, so rough yet so soft, made her writhe beneath him.
He hiked her thighs up and reached down to position himself at her entrance, dipping his finger along her to make sure she was ready. His damp finger made him shudder as he pressed himself at her entrance. Then he looked into her sparkling green eyes and accepted that he was completely bewitched..
"Lane...," he was already halfway inside her when he began. "You must know I lo..." Daryl was finally ready to tell her but Lane stopped him by shushing him with her finger.
"It's a rule. Whatever a man says during sex doesn't count," Lane reminded him, buy her eyes told him a different story.
He slowly thrust into her, loving the way she arched beneath him. For a moment he just stared at her, taking in just how lovely she was in that moment, completely filled by him. He felt her snake her calves up over his thighs and then around his waist.
To her surprise, he jerked her up by her hips to fill her even more fully. Daryl slowly stroked her, pulling nearly all the way out before re-entering and the pleasure was so perfectly excruciating that Lane knew she wouldn't last much longer. She decided she would try something new.
Lane pushed up against his shoulders with such surprising force, that Daryl jerked back in surprise. But when he realized she wasn't pushing him away he relaxed and allowed her to push him on his back and straddle him.
"Holy Christ, I don't deserve this! I don't deserve you!" Daryl muttered into her mouth when he dragged her neck down so he could kiss her. Her breasts dangled down, and her nipples created the most fascinating sensations against his chest ...and he craved more.
Lane's head jerked up to gaze at him. "I told you to never say that again. It appears you need to be taught a lesson," Lane rested her palms against his shoulders as she slowly lifted herself almost off him...and hovered.
"No! I'm sorry! I do deserve you!" Daryl smiled as he claimed her lips again. He laid back as she finally took him in again, then she slowly began to rock back and forth against him. It was hot! It was exciting! It was torture!
Lane loved the way he felt, so deep inside her, but she never anticipated
that he'd pull out then flip her over on her back. He yanked her thighs up to her ears and thrust into her so deep that she screamed his name out loud.
"Yer gonna listen!" He moaned into her mouth while he thrust into her harder and harder, urged on by the deep nail imprints he felt in his back.
"I luv ya! So stop telling me I cain't say it!" he groaned into her ear as he felt himself losing control.
"Daryl...I..." Lane's legs started uncontrollably quivering around him as he felt her orgasm around him.
"Christ Lane! I cain't stop!" he moaned as he emptied himself into her, his final thrusts making him shiver down to his toes.
Daryl collapsed on top of her, his forehead resting against hers. After a minute he pulled out and rolled over to the side and they both lay there as if in some sort of catatonic shock. Thety were sexually spent and were now relaxed in each other's arms, limbs naked and intertwined.
He felt her breathing begin to slow against his skin, and he was momentarily fascinated by how her breath cooled his sweaty skin.
But Lane didn't know what to do. She'd had so many questions before tonight. But he just seemed to have this way around her defenses, weak as they were as far as he was concerned.
The sweat was also cooling her naked skin and she immediately felt chilled and uncomfortable under his gaze. She slid off the bed and reached for her shirt in the pile, raising her arms to slip it over her heads.
"Come back 'ere!" Daryl yanked her back into his arms, pulling the shirt back up and throwing it back in the pile."I'll keep ya warm! Plus I like lookin' at ya like this,"
"I love you! And we ain't havin' sex now so that rule a yers don't apply! And it ain't about me gettin' in yer pants either. Or survivin'! It's just the way it is," Daryl had her pinned down with his body and holding her wrists over her head.
"I love you too, Daryl! More than I ever thought it was possible," Lane twisted her hands out of his grasp and began delicately tracing the scars on his back as she caressed him.
"Ok, new rule. No matter what happens...Yer mine!" Daryl slid his hands down her hips.
"I love you... You're my family. You, Merle, my aunts... So don't leave!," Lane stroked his scruffy cheek.
"I ain't any good at this. I'm gonna screw up," Daryl held her even tighter in his arms, realizing for the first time he wished he was good at this. He desperately wanted to tell Lane, how since he'd met her, she'd been the difference between 'living' and 'surviving'.
"I'm not any good at this either. I'm going to mess up too," Lane reassured him that he wasn't the only one afraid of messing up.
"Lane?" Daryl nuzzled into her ear. "All I know is that I luv ya," and he placed a possessive arm around her hips.
"And I love you," Lane twisted and threaded her leg between Daryl's as she settled in his arms to sleep.
And with all their complications, for tonight that was good enough. More than good enough.
"I think we should find Mariel...Bring her back here for your brother," Lane turned to look into Daryl's shocked eyes. They'd fallen asleep after sex but the cold air woke them a short while later.
"Like, we don't have enough on our plate? And she's a woman, not a pet or a gift, Daryl couldn't even pretend to take this seriously. So he pulled her closer and grabbed the covers and pulled them up around their tangled limbs. She was everything to him and even though it was terrifying, he'd never been happier. He relaxed as Lane snuggled into him.
Lane let go of her worries...for now life was good. She was in the arms of the man she loved...who loved her back. What else could she ask for?