Things had not progressed any further until after the farm was overrun. They had been caught up in events too much for anything else. Daryl also had a feeling that Rick was avoiding him, but he didn't let himself acknowledge the vague sense of disappointment.

He tried to chalk up Rick's earlier behavior to his own overheated imagination, but he couldn't stop fantasizing about the other man when he lay down in his tent at night. He always wondered later if his brutal treatment of that boy Randall had anything to do with his unacknowledged frustration.

And then things had gone to hell. Dale getting killed later seemed like an almost insignificant introduction to a lesson in what the world was really like now. They'd lost so many that night, and it was a near miracle that even ten of them made it out more or less intact. And then of course there was the issue with Shane.

At first none of them knew what had happened between Shane and Rick out in that field. Or maybe Lori knew, but she didn't tell. The first few days had been almost frantic. Everyone was exhausted, grieving, in shock. Their hope of finding somewhere safe quickly evaporated as the days went by. They would hunker down in one house or another at night, only to find themselves surrounded by walkers in the morning, or even sooner.

They had been going for about two weeks, dodging what felt like the same walker herd again and again. The herd seemed to be growing daily, and they were unable to get ahead of it for long.

Then one night they'd made camp in a house situated in what must have been a prosperous outer suburb of Atlanta. The houses were large and spaced far apart, and they'd actually found plenty of food, and none of them would have to go to bed hungry that night.

They'd loaded up the cars with more provisions but had already talked about staying put for at least a few days. There had been fewer walkers that day, and for the first time since fleeing the farm was there such a thing as hope among them.

Daryl had taken first watch as he usually did, and had gone outside onto the veranda and settled himself down with his back against the enclosure. He felt strangely at peace after their almost proper dinner, and for the first time since the farm he let his mind really process events. He dug out a lighter and cigarettes which he'd found in the house and enjoyed the first smoke in two weeks.

The door to the house had opened a couple of minutes after Daryl had finished the first cigarette. He'd just been contemplating whether to smoke a second or make that one pack last as long as possible. He looked up and saw Rick stepping through the door, closing it softly behind himself.

"They're all settled." Rick's voice was tired, and Daryl, looking at him properly for the first time in what felt like ages, saw how exhausted he looked.

"Y'should be settlin' too, y'know."

Rick sat down next to Daryl and buried his head in his hands. He sighed.

"I just had to get away for a moment. From…"

Daryl thought he knew what Rick had been about to say, and the name hung between them almost palpably. Daryl didn't know what exactly had happened between Rick and his wife, but he knew that something was up.

As if reading Daryl's mind Rick said, "Lori is pregnant, and…"

Daryl didn't move or say anything, just waited for Rick to continue. This was a shock, regardless of what Rick said next. How could they bring a baby into this world, and keep it safe? But for now Daryl focused on Rick.

"It isn't mine, Daryl." And now Rick looked at him.

Daryl held his gaze, even though that had made him especially uncomfortable with Rick ever since the other man had stopped seeking him out.

"It's Shane's. I am almost certain."

Rick's voice sounded so miserable, Daryl's heart went out to him completely. Before realizing what he was doing he'd leaned against Rick's shoulder, wanting to give comfort, wanting him to know he wasn't alone.

Rick leaned into Daryl with another sigh. "It's all such bullshit, man. How are we ever going to get out of this? And now to top it all off…

"He was going to kill me, you know. Daryl, he'd been my best friend since high school. And he was going to kill me, and he slept with my wife." Now there was real anger in Rick's voice, too.

Daryl didn't know what to say. He'd never been good with this kind of situation, he'd never learned how. For wont of a better idea he placed a hand on Rick's arm where it hung loosely draped over his knees. He hadn't meant to but almost automatically started stroking the soft skin on the inside of Rick's arm, above the elbow just under Rick's T-Shirt sleeve.

Rick looked at him, and Daryl recognized this look from the time of the stolen glances at the farm. Suddenly, Rick leaned in and kissed Daryl. It was a hesitant, soft kiss, as much a question as a caress.

Daryl returned the kiss, not forcefully but with enough emphasis to make it clear that Rick could continue whatever he had on his mind. Rick did. He placed a hand behind Daryl's head and turned his body around to allow his other arm to come up behind Daryl's back.

They both leaned into the kiss, increasingly committing to it. Daryl could feel Rick's hand in the small of his back, pushing up his shirt and touching skin. He froze for a second, not wanting to disturb their moment but habitually unable to tolerate someone touching his back. Fortunately Rick didn't move his fingers from where they had come to rest and Daryl relaxed.

Daryl placed one hand on Rick's face and threaded the other one into the man's hair. He was becoming more and more aroused, but didn't want to make the next move before Rick was ready.

Again, Rick seemed to be reading his mind. He withdrew his own hand from Daryl's hair, took Daryl's hand in his and guided it down onto the front of his jeans. Daryl could feel Rick's erection, and started rubbing it through the fabric. Rick bucked into Daryl's hand with a moan, and Daryl increased the pressure.

Rick pulled out of the kiss to look at Daryl. His eyes were shining, but he seemed somehow far away at the same time. He reached for Daryl's pants, but Daryl pulled away.

"No. This time it's gonna be jus' you."

Rick nodded, and leaned back, giving Daryl better access. Daryl quickly undid the buttons on Rick's pants, reaching in and taking his cock in one hand. The other hand he placed on Rick's face again, shifted into a crouch, then straddled Rick. He leaned in for another kiss as he started to move his hand up and down Rick's erection in slow, deliberate strokes.

Rick moaned softly against his mouth and Daryl took the sound as a cue to increase the speed of his strokes. He could feel his own erection almost painfully inside his pants, but this was for Rick. He would take care of himself later, the time spent with Rick serving as the perfect memory.

Daryl wasn't worried that the others would catch them. It was late, and almost pitch black out now. There was no reason for any of them to come outside, and Daryl doubted that if someone looked through the small window by the door they were even discernable against the gloom. Besides, and Daryl had never thought this would float his boat, the proximity to Rick's wife and the others was part of the turn on.

Rick pulled away from the kiss, arching his back. His eyes closed, he let his head fall against the porch enclosure. His breathing was fast and shallow now, his lips slightly parted. Daryl could tell that he was almost riding the edge, and he increased the pressure on Rick's cock.

"Daryl…"

Rick's voice was husky, on the precipice, and a moment later his panting gave way to a low groan. His hips came up and Daryl could feel Rick's cock pulse into his hand. Daryl held on gently, kept one hand on Rick's cock and one on his chest as Rick rode out his bliss. He could feel the spunk cooling on his hand, and his own erection still very alive in his own pants.

Every single thing about this night had made him happy.