AN: new chapter, I'm having a rough week :/ prepare for super fluffy. I make no apologies.

I do not own or profit From The Walking Dead

Chapter 12

The trail was beautiful this time of year. Ruby happily trotted along, sniffing at all her favourite spots as he and Carol walked at a leisurely pace.

The trail was for beginners, but rarely used. Daryl could count the times he had met other hikers on one hand. They walked along, Carol was enjoying the silence as much him. He smiled when he caught her thoughts about how everytime they turned a corner it looked like a postcard.

The lake he had shown her in her dream was only a few minutes of the main trail. He'd found it by accident when Ruby had been exploring. She'd been confused when he grabbed her hand pulling her off the trail, but she never hesistated. His heart filled with happiness when he felt such a trust emanating from her. She trusted him.

He heard her gasp as the lake came into view. There was a wild riot of flowers growing along the edges in an array of every colour. The water was a pure crystal blue, there was an outcropping of rocks that small little streams of water as it rushed through the crevasse.

She turned to him in shock. "I've been dreaming of this place." She whispered "they always feel so real, like more than a dream..".

He nodded and turned towards her. "It's my favorite spot, when I feel you having a nightmare, I try to change it for you." He whispered.

She stared at him, for a moment, her eyes filling with tears. He saw what she was going to do next before she did it. She was timid, but determined as she worked her way towards him step by step. Standing directly in front of him, she stopped, her nerves were a riotous mess of feelings. The asshole had played havoc on her self esteem. He wanted to pull her to him but he waited. He felt like when he was little, he had tried to get an injured little bird to eat out of his hand. He had sat for over an hour, unmoving, his hand open with a few seeds and nuts resting in his palm. The little bird, had worked her way slowly towards him. He couldn't sense the emotions of animals but he was observant. He knew how hungry the little bird was, and how it just wasn't ready to fly on her own. The bird needed to trust him...just like Carol. He was willing to wait as long as it took.

She was looking at him, with a faraway look in her eyes . All the moments in her life where she hadn't felt alone, bubbling up to the surface. Forgotten memories from long ago. Times of pain when although she was alone she had felt his presence. Never knowing what it was. The subconscious feeling of not being alone had given her strength, when she had needed it most.

Her short wispy hair framed her face. It was growing in a little, but the style seemed to make an intense focus on her eyes. He could get lost in her eyes. Drown in them. He saw the moment her decision was made. A shaky hand crossing into his personnel space and touching his cheek.

He closed his eyes, a sigh escaping from his lips, squeezing his knuckles closed tightly so he didn't reach out and grab her. He was walking a fine line, between his hunger for her and her needs. She would always come first.

Her palm flattened out on his cheek. He turned his face nuzzling her palm. Opening his eyes he stared at her intently. He felt an electric current of lust curse through her. His gut tightened when he realized that she was as attracted to him, as he was to her but still he didn't move.

She lifted herself up on her tiptoes, bringing her lips in line with his. He could feel her breath on his face. His gut tightened and he felt himself grow hard. He was practically panting as her breath mixed with his. Her palm was still on his cheek.

The first brush of her lips against his, was almost his undoing. She was soft and sweet and so warm. He groaned slightly into her mouth, and she deepened the kiss. Her fingers threading up to his hair.

You can touch me. Her voice fluttered into his mind. He whimpered in relief and wrapped his arms around her.

The stood, at the waters edge, him holding her close as they kissed, while Ruby happily chased a squirrel around the water's edge.

When they broke apart he kept his arms wrapped around her, she lay her head on his chest, smiling watching Ruby barking at the squirrel up a tree. She was so content, she felt safe, secure. She felt loved for the first time in her life.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and said , "You always were."