A/N: Another HUGE thank you to those who have commented and followed my story. This is a big chapter for me. 1rst- There is sex. ATTN all, this chpt contains sex. ;) 2nd-I never quite caught the directions in which the show takes place therefore I made up the map from Woodbury to where my O/C ends up. I understand that this may be incorrect but you'll have to bear with me because it worked for what I needed to unfold. Thanks again for reading and best wishes.
-Five-
"So pretty thang," Merle Dixon put his hand on Lake's back as they walked through the woods. "Why you with my ugly ass brother?"
"First of all," Lake shrugged out from underneath Merle's hand. "If you fucking touch me again, you'll lose your other hand as well." Merle made a dramatic noise of shock. "Second, if you talk ill of Daryl again I'll stab you in your sleep."
Merle burst into laughter. "Damn D, you got yerself a lil firecrack'r." Merle drew his brother into a headlock but kept his gaze was on Lake. "I like 'er." He released Daryl, who shoved his brother roughly.
"Asshole." Daryl muttered as Lake searched for anything familiar.
Rick had established a plan of action in case they were separated, but most of that plan went to hell, especially in the middle of the night when everything looked the same.
"I have no clue." Lake frowned as Daryl turned his attention her way. "We need to stop; I'll have a better chance of getting us back with light."
"Oh didn't you know?" Merle threw an arm over Daryl's shoulders. "Baby broth'r here is a trackin' extraordinaire." Daryl pushed at Merle. "What? Ya have become a valuable member of mr. policman's crew. Ain't that right?" It didn't take a genius to tell that Merle was jealous.
"Cut it out, Merle." Daryl used his palm to push Merle away by his face. Lake ignored the eyebrow waggle Merle sent in her direction.
Turning back to Lake, "We can't stop. It's too dangerous." Daryl explained.
"Well then we need to find somewhere we can stop Daryl. We'll only get more lost at this point." Lake pulled at the bark of a tree she passed.
A snap made everyone freeze. Rustling sounded to their left and Lake wrapped a steady hand around the grip of her blade. Voices carried.
"I don't know why the hell he has us out here looking for them at night." A masculine voice exclaimed.
"He ain't thinking right that's for sure." Another voice stated. "We're walker bait out here."
A large hand covered Lake's mouth and she struggled to break free. Warm breath shh'd against her ear. Daryl.
They walked backwards until certain they were hidden amongst the shadows of the forest. Daryl then pulled his hand away and held a finger to his lips when Lake turned on him.
"You hear that?" One of the two men asked.
"Hear what?" The other turned around in a complete circle, his steps uncertain.
Another rustle sounded. "There. You hear it?" His partner nodded as they pulled their weapons.
"I didn't sign up for this shit. The Governor is fucking crazy. Those bastards are probably-." The man's sentence was cut off as a knife plunged through his chest.
Lake cringed. "You thought wrong pal." Merle's grunted as he pulled his arm from the man's chest.
It was then that moonlight slid across the other man's face. Lake grinned when she recognized him as the one of the two men at the arena that wished death upon Daryl. The man held up his gun, but Merle had slipped into the night disappearing from view.
The man's hand shook as he tried to steady the gun while frantically looking about. Fear, however, won out as he dropped the gun and started to run.
Lake pushed away from Daryl and drew her knife. Taking a step forward she took aim and threw. The man's scream erupted through the silence of night. Merle stepped out next to the man and looked to Lake in shock.
"Get my knife will ya?" Lake shouted. Merle sent his blade through the back of the suffering man's neck before pulling out Lake's hunting knife.
When he approached, he held it out, "Damn small fry, I may have been too quick ta judge ya." Lake noticed then that Daryl hadn't said a word. She turned to find him watching her incredulously.
Unsure of what to say, she re-sheathed the knife she took from Merle before lightly touching Daryl's arm. He pulled her into an embrace and set his chin on her head.
"You don't need me to protect ya do ya?" Lake inhaled the sharp woodsy scent that was Daryl before shaking her head.
"I may not need your protection," She ran her fingers down his jawline. "but it doesn't mean I don't want it."
Daryl grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed. Lake knew him to be shy but right now, with him almost dying, she needed him to know someone cared about what happens to him. She needed him to know she cared.
Pushing up on her tip toes, Lake cupped Daryl's face in her hands and pulled his lips to hers. The sensation of his kiss sent chills down her entire body. Her lips devoured his greedily as his hands found her face. They were locked in an embrace, lost in each other when a throat cleared behind them.
"Broth'r Merle is all hot and both'red after that lil display of affection." Daryl pulled away quickly causing Lake to groan.
Swinging around, Lake closed the few feet between Merle and herself in a matter of seconds. Drawing back, she let her fist crash into Merle's face sending him stumbling back.
"What tha fuck!" Merle touched below his nose for blood. "Lil bitch!" He took a step forward, fist raised but Daryl intervened.
"Don't fuckin' touch'er Merle." His voice dead serious. Daryl reached back and took hold of Lake's hand.
"The bitch punched me! You'd take er side over yer brother?!" Merle stomped with outrage.
"I warned you, you asshole. Daryl isn't a child, he doesn't need you busting his ass every two seconds." Lake shouted around Daryl's large frame.
Merle pushed against Daryl in an angry attempt to reach her. Daryl sent a fist into his brother's cheek sending him flat on his ass. Merle cupped his jaw and looked up at Daryl.
Scrambling to his feet, Merle pointed a finger in Daryl's face. "I hope that pussy is worth it lil brother." He slammed his arm into a tree, sending the blade deep into its bark. Swinging around, Merle pointed at them, "Fuck ya both." He stormed off in the night.
Lake suddenly felt awful and she watched Daryl stare after his brother. She squeezed his hand, but Daryl yanked away.
"See what ya went an did?!" He shouted. "I've been lookin' for my brother and juss when I get em back you mess shit up." Daryl's face was distorted in anger. He threw up his hands and stormed in the opposite direction his brother went.
Unable to move, Lake stood frozen amongst the two men they had just murdered. What had she done? First she killed a man, then she caused problems between Daryl and the one person he cared most for in life.
Alone, she tried not to think about how much danger she was in. Hell, she probably deserved whatever she had coming. Scrunching up her face, Lake took off on her own. With each step her anger grew. This was exactly why she didn't want to be a part of any group. She never had problems like this on her own.
Unsure of how far she had walked, Lake stopped short. Directly ahead of where she stood sat a rundown trailer with cinderblock steps. She looked about for any signs of life.
The trailer was silent; its windows boarded closed. Cautiously, Lake pulled open the door.
"Hello?" When nothing sounded, she stepped inside. "Yo, anyone here?" She mouthed a thank you into the air when she switched the flash light she found on. The beam of light stretched across the length of the trailer, which was disgusting but dry. After Lake cleared the bedroom and bathroom, she was satisfied that the place was uninhabited. Opening the cabinets in the kitchen, Lake jumped back and cursed as a mouse shot from the shelf.
Hand over heart, Lake exhaled roughly. The cabinets were bare leaving nothing to eat for tonight. Lake's stomach grumbled in reminder of her misfortune.
Her thoughts went quickly to Daryl and hoping he was alright despite his obvious anger issues. Walking to the bedroom, Lake pulled the sheets from the bed and nodded at the decently clean mattress. Shaking the dust from a thick blanket, she curled into a ball and slipped quickly into a restless sleep.
Lake woke to the sun shining in rays through the boarded window. Quickly jerking into a sitting position, she stretched out her sore limbs. Her stomach ached and Lake knew she needed to eat soon. Leaving the trailer, she set out in hopes of food. Breaking through the trees, Lake fought the urge to dance and squeal.
A familiar highway stretched before her, one she had traveled before in the past. Stopping at another familiar landmark, Lake ran her fingers over the hood of the car that had the note to Sophia on the windshield. Gone was the supplies, but the faded white paint remained.
"I should beat yer ass for goin' off on yer own." Lake jumped at the sound of Daryl's voice behind her.
Lake frowned at the dark circles that swelled underneath his eyes indicating lack of sleep. Still frustrated Lake crossed her arms over her chest.
"Well it wouldn't be the first time I've taken a beating at the hand of a redneck." She knew her words would wound him and she didn't quite understand the reasoning behind her actions but Lake was hurting as well.
Daryl closed the distance between them, "Shut up." He gritted out before slamming his lips into hers. Any anger flew from Lake as her tongue danced with the man's before her. Pushing her against the car, Daryl lifted Lake onto the hood. Settling in between her knees, he reached up and pulled Lake's hair free before wrapping it in his hand. Lake gasped at the sensation which only fueled their fire. She fumbled with the buttons on the front of Daryl's shirt; running her hands over the hard planes of his shoulders as she pushed it from his body. Daryl groaned as Lake pulled a peck into her mouth; softly sucking its tip. His hands gripped the bottom of her tee before swiftly yanking it over her head.
Lake sucked in a sharp breath as her bare skin hit the cold aluminum hood. Daryl chuckled as he ground against her center. Lake whimpered at the fire that threatened to engulf her whole. Pulling herself up by the waist of Daryl's pants, Lake met his lips as she struggled with his belt. She laughed nervously when he stepped away and unbuckled his belt and jeans.
Daryl's blue eyes smashed into hers as if to ask permission. Lake nodded and let out a yip when Daryl scooped her from the hood and dropped her into the back seat. Settling on top of her, he kissed the tip of her nose.
"Daryl…" Lake started; her voice breathy. "I just wanted you to know—"
He cut her off with a kiss, "I know, I know." He repeated against her lips.
Both thrilled and nervous, Lake lifted her hips as Daryl pulled her jeans from her body. She fought to grip onto anything as he kissed his way down her chest and stomach. Lake sighed when Daryl's hand cupped her sex, his strong fingers touching her in all the right places.
"Look at me." He ground out through gritted teeth. Lake met his intense gaze. Next thing she knew, Daryl was moving inside her in long, rhythmic thrusts. She threw her head back, relishing in being so fully filled.
Daryl grunted softly as he kissed up Lake's neck, sucking her sensitive skin. Unable to fight the wave of ecstasy, Lake allowed herself to be swept away as her body spasmed around Daryl's.
"Oh God," Daryl bit out as his body found its own release. Collapsing, Daryl's breath was heavy against Lake's neck. Reaching up, she pushed the hair from Daryl's face as he rested on her chest. His eyes journeyed to hers after he shift his weight to the side. He placed feather light kisses across her jaw as his fingers rubbed the side of her bra.
"Did you find Merle?" Lake asked. Daryl snorted as his hand slipped over the silk skin of her breast. Lake arched into his touch.
"Yeah, he came back." Daryl mumbled. "Helped me look for ya too." He looked up. "He ain't so bad ya know."
Lake nodded, "I know. I'm sorry." She truly was, sorry that is. Merle cared about Daryl in his own way and that was enough for Lake to lay off him. Sure the guy was a complete and obnoxious asshole but for Daryl she would learn to cope.
Daryl returned his attention to her chest but Lake froze.
"Daryl?" Lake asked.
"Hmmm," He murmured, taking a nipple into his mouth.
Lake pulled him by the hair until he looked her in the eyes. "Where exactly is your brother?" Daryl smiled in reply. Lake thrust him backwards and sat up. Through the window, Lake was mortified to see Merle making his was out of the woods. Shooting daggers at Daryl, she scrambled to find her discarded clothes.
"Lake," Daryl complained. "Lakely." He shut up as soon as the name left his mouth.
"Don't Lakely me Daryl, he could have been watching us!" She shouted. Daryl shook his head.
"We split up. I tracked ya here." He grabbed hold of her chin. "Lake, look at me." She did as she was told. "I wouldn't let my broth'r see ya. I'd kill em before he got tha chance." Lake continued to pull on her jeans as Daryl zipped his pants. He stepped out and walked to the front of the car.
"D!" Merle's voice shouted. "I take it ya found er." Lake felt her cheeks burn as Daryl tossed her shirt to her.
Merle smirked as Lake stepped out and tugged her shirt into place.
"Shut up." She threw at him. He held up his hands in surrender. He opened his mouth to say something but froze at the sound of labored, raspy breathing.
Daryl cursed and took Lake's hand as he ran. Over her shoulder, she could see at least a dozen walkers making their way towards them.
Merle whooped as he followed quickly behind them. "Look at 'em! They movin' pretty fast for geeks."
Both Daryl and Lake swung around, "Shut up Merle!"
Merle's laughter echoed down the highway as they ran. Ahead, a black SUV honked.
"Oh my God! It's Rick!" Lake shouted. It was Daryl's turn to whoop as he recognized Rick's SUV. Lake laughed at the redneck that seemed to have captured her heart. Rick jumped from the driver's seat and wavered in their direction.
"Lake, Daryl!" They shouted in confirmation as they weaved through parked cars.
Lake lunged into the door that Rick held open followed quickly by Daryl. Merle flung open the passenger door as Rick slid behind the wheel. The walkers made their way closer as Rick addressed Merle.
"We going to have a problem?" Lake and Daryl shouted from the back for Rick to go but Rick ignored their pleas. It was a stare down, a battle of hierarchy. Merle's eyes darted to the nearing walkers before he slammed back against his seat.
"Fine! We ain't got no problem." Rick threw the SUV into reverse and sped away leaving the walkers in a cloud of exhaust. Merle grumbled from his seat as Lake took hold of Daryl's shaking hand.
She leaned her head on his shoulder and watched out the window as they drove for home. Hopefully, she'd never hear of Woodbury again. But even she knew that too good to be true.