Chapter 39

Eleanor was bored; Bob had made her stay in the medical room for almost three weeks. He wanted to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn't do too much too soon. She had a constant stream of visitors but was sick of being stuck in the same room for so long. Finally the medic told her she could leave.

"Just make sure you take care" He told her sternly "You still need to take it easy. That was a nasty wound and you've got to give it time"

Daryl took her arm and led her from the room.

"Got somethin to show you" He told her, taking her away from the main areas of Terminus, leading her to a smaller building set away from the others. He opened a door and stepped aside.

"You should go in first" He indicated the doorway and she stepped through, not knowing what to expect. Looking around she saw a decent sized room, with a curtained window on one wall. There was a low bookcase under the window and a table and two chairs to one side. She saw her few belongings neatly arranged on the shelves, along with several books. Her weapons were laid out on the table as well as her spare ammo. Her jacket was hanging from a hook on the wall. Against the wall was a mattress, covered with a flowery duvet and several pillows. A small brightly coloured object on the table caught her eye. When she investigated she found it was an mp3 player, complete with an adapter for a car radio and a set of headphones.

"Found it on a run, know you like music" Daryl told her, looking at the floor "You can charge it up in a car, don't need to worry about batteries"

She gave him a dazzling smile of thanks which made him think it was worth the risk he took to get it for her. He wouldn't tell her about nearly being caught by several walkers in the house where he'd found it.

"Did you do this?" she asked "It's wonderful"

He shrugged "I found some of the stuff, Maggie and Carol made it nice. Everyone else was finding their own space. Thought you should too" He glanced at her, almost shyly "Do you like it?"

He went to him and hugged him tightly.

"I love it, Thank you" She exclaimed. She glanced at him coyly from lowered eyes.

"Know what'll make it even better" she whispered, pulling at his leather vest.

He looked confused as she tugged the vest off then turned and hung it on the hook with her jacket. Then she picked up his crossbow and laid it on the table, next to her weapons.

Daryl finally understood what she was implying and a small grin spread over his face. He closed the small space between them and grabbed her around the waist, carefully pulling her closer, mindful of her injured side and aware that his arm was still vulnerable.

"You askin' me to move in?" He teased, looking into her suddenly unsure eyes.

"If you want to" she muttered, nervous and unsure.

He was about to show her how much he wanted to when there was a knock at the door. Opening it Eleanor found Maggie and Carol standing excitedly outside, clutching a large bottle of soda.

"Housewarming" Maggie cried as they barged into the room. "Have to settle for this, we couldn't find any champagne" She opened the soda and poured it into the paper cups she'd bought with them.

"Do you like it?" Carol asked.

Eleanor embraced her two friends "It's amazin', Thank you" she told them. Daryl was standing awkwardly to one side. He wanted to leave but couldn't get his vest or crossbow without drawing attention to the fact they were now mixed with Eleanor's belongings. He hadn't counted on how sharp eyed Maggie was.

"Looks like someone else is settling in as well" She laughed, indicating the table and hanging jacket.

Carol raised an eyebrow, a smile crossing her face.

"Maybe we should go" she told Maggie "Let the lovebirds here get cosy"

Daryl gave a snort and grabbed his belongings, stomping out of the room.

"Damn gossipy women" he muttered crossly "Should mind their own damn business"

He pretended he didn't hear the laughter as he slammed the door behind him.

It was late when he tapped on the door, not sure if he should just let himself in or not. When she called come in he opened the door and slipped in. Eleanor was sitting up in bed, reading by candle light. She was wearing an oversized tee shirt that swamped her small frame. Her long hair was loose and she smiled up at him sleepily.

"You don't have to knock, it's your room too" she told him "If you want it to be"

He stared at her for a few seconds, then laid his crossbow on the table and hung his vest on the hook before throwing himself on the mattress next to her.

"You sure you wanna do this?" He asked "You know people'll talk?"

She smiled at him "I think most people know we're together now, it's old news, they aint gonna care"

"Okay" he grinned as he snatched the book from her hand and threw it to one side.

"You lost my page" she complained as he reached for her. A few moments later she didn't care anymore.