Chapter 34

They drove for a while, getting off the main road and using back roads where they could. Eventually they came to a house set in its own grounds in the forest. They drove in through the gate, then closed it and tied it off with some rope from the car. It wouldn't stop people but would slow down walkers. The house was old and grubby looking, a large wooden framed building with several barns nearby. It didn't take much to force the door and get inside. It wasn't as bad as it looked from the outside. Everything was covered in dust and it smelt a bit musty but other than that it was okay. There were no walkers inside or any sign of recent occupation. Daryl moved the car into one of the barns, keeping it out of sight while Eleanor searched the house for anything useful. She found a small amount of food and some water. Going upstairs she found the bathroom. Optimistically she reached out and twisted the controller on the shower. She was rewarded with a stream of water. It was cold but it was a working shower. She returned to the kitchen and found Daryl poking through the cupboards.

"Shower works" she told him "It's cold but it's runnin; and there's dry clothes we can use as well." They were both still soaked from the earlier rain. He told her to go take a shower while he kept watch, She didn't need telling twice. Fifteen minutes later she walked into the kitchen, rubbing her hair with a towel. For some reason she had decided to change into a dress. As she was so tall it was probably shorter on her than it was meant to be. The full skirt finished several inches above her knees and the fitted top clung nicely. When she dropped the towel her damp hair hung past her shoulders. She noticed him staring and gave an embarrassed shrug.

"I know, It's just a real cute dress and when else am I gonna get a chance to wear one?" she pulled a face at him "Laugh if you want"

"You look nice" was all he could come up with.

She gave him a sweet smile "Why don't you go get cleaned up and find some dry clothes while I fix us something to eat?"

He fled the kitchen before he could make himself look any dumber. She looked fantastic so why could he only manage you look nice. She wasn't like any woman he'd ever been with. They were usually cheap sluts from the bars he'd hung out in with Merle. Either he was drunk or they were or more often than not they both were. It was usually quick fumble in the back of his truck or even a dark alleyway round the back of the bar, then he'd never see the woman again. Shaking his head he went into the bedroom and rummaged through the clothes, before heading for a shower.

Eleanor had pulled her camping stove out of her bag and had warmed up yet another can of stew and some canned vegetables. She had piled the food onto plates and yelled for Daryl, telling him to get a move on 'cos the food was ready.

"Quit yer yellin' woman" he muttered as he came into the kitchen "I'm here" Glancing up she almost dropped the plates when she saw him. He actually looked clean for once, no trace of the dirt and sweat he was usually covered in. He was tugging uncomfortably on the cuffs of the white shirt he was wearing. Eleanor tried to think if she'd ever seen him in a shirt with sleeves before and decided she hadn't. He'd teamed the shirt with black pants, not his usual jeans. He fidgeted under her stare.

"What?" he questioned "Figured if you could make an effort so could I"

She put the food down "You scrub up real well" she told him "Look at the pair of us, it's like a damn date night" They sat and ate, neither knowing what to say to the other. Once they'd eaten they moved into the sitting room. Eleanor had found some coffee which they took with them. Daryl settled on the couch, feet resting on a table. She wandered around the room, looking for anything useful. He watched her as she drifted around the room, coffee in hand. When she came to a bookcase she leant forward, running her finger along the spines of the books. She pulled one out with a smile and read the back.

"I always meant to read this one but never….." she broke off as she realised he was standing right behind her. She hadn't heard him approach. His hand slipped around her waist, palm resting flat on her stomach, pulling her back against him. His other hand took the coffee cup from her and she smiled as she heard it hit the floor somewhere behind them. His hand covered hers and lifted it up. She was still wearing a support bandage on the wrist that Mary had crushed, it was healed just still a bit weak.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked softly

She swallowed hard, "A little. Think I pulled it a bit today throwing that car around" He bought her hand higher, bought her palm to his lips and kissed it gently, then , he moved his lips down to her injured wrist and lightly kissed it, his fingers still entwined with hers. She leaned back into him as he let go of her hand and moved his hand up her arm to her shoulder. She wrapped her hand behind his neck, fingers tangled in his hair. He ran his hand along her shoulder and his fingers slid into her hair, as he started to push it to one side. She bit back a smile at his muffled curse, when his fingers became tangled and tugged at her still damp hair. Finally he untangled himself and moved her hair to the side, leaving one side of her neck uncovered. She could feel his breath there and couldn't help shivering.

"You cold?" he asked.

She could feel him moving closer "No" she managed. He leaned closer to her and kissed her jawline, moving down to her neck, then back to her jawline.

"That feel good?" he murmured into her shoulder.

"Real good" she sighed back.

Daryl was struggling, he had no idea what to do, for once he was grateful l Maggie and Glenn were so open with their affection for each other. He was trying to remember the things he'd seen them do, at the time he'd blanked it out, not wanting to know. He thought he'd been doing okay until he'd managed to get tangled in her hair and ended up pulling at it like an idiot. She'd hadn't seemed to mind. Now he was hoping she would do something to give him a clue where to go next. As he thought that she tilted her head back and pulled his face down to hers, kissing him. As the kiss deepened she twisted round so she was facing him. Both her arms were around his neck and she was pulling him closer. He let his hand slid down her back, resting it at the base of her spine. His other hand moved to her hip. She tensed at his touch and he pulled his hand away, thinking he'd gone too far. She caught it and put it back on her hip, covering it with her own. They parted from the kiss, breathing hard.

"That was nice" she smiled at him, leaning her head on his shoulder, her arms now around his waist. They stood locked together for a few moments, saying nothing, just enjoying the closeness. She moved closer, forcing him to take a couple of steps back to keep his balance. The back of his legs collided with the edge of the couch and she pushed him back so he ended up sitting, she leant down and kissed him again, leaning closer. He reached up and caught hold of her, trying to pull her into his lap but she smiled and twisted away. They kept kissing as she shoved him so he was laying back on the couch, her body resting on top of his. He seized her waist and tried to twist them so he was on top but she resisted, with a soft laugh.

"Who put you in charge?" she whispered into his neck, as her hands reached for the buttons on his shirt, slowing undoing them. He decided to lay back and enjoy it. She finished with the buttons and started to run her hands over his chest. His hands were on her waist and he slid them down to her hips, holding her in place. When she started to kiss his jaw and neck his hands moved down to the outside of her thighs. With the dress being so short it wasn't long before he touched the bare skin of her legs. As the kisses got deeper he moved his hands back to her waist, trying again to reverse their positions. She gave a throaty laugh as she resisted again but this time he tried harder. He managed to gain the upper hand but somehow they slipped off the couch, ending up on the floor. Daryl gave her a smug look as he realised he was where he wanted to be.

"Okay, you win" Eleanor conceded, as she wrapped her bare leg over his, pulling him down. Her hand started to explore his back, fingers tracing the scares, old and new. Normally he would have recoiled away from such contact but with Ellie it was okay, she knew his past and she didn't care. She was there when he got the most recent scars and she had her own to bare. They were alike in so many ways.

After a lot more kissing and exploring Ellie gently pushed him away and got to her feet.

"Think I'm gonna turn in now. It'll be nice to sleep in a proper bed for once." She turned and headed for the staircase. Looking over her shoulder she saw him still sitting on the floor, looking confused and disappointed, wondering what he'd done wrong.

She held her hand out to him,

"Come on dumbass" she laughed "It aint gonna be half as much fun without you" With a grin he scrambled to his feet grabbing her hand as he almost pulled her upstairs.

A/N First attempt at romance/love scene, I hope it wasn't too cheesy. I wanted it to be sweet almost innocent and not too raunchy. Please let me know how I did.

Thanks

xxxx