Chapter 42

It was two days before she would let him back into their room and even then she barely spoke to him. Eventually she forgave him and things went back to normal.

Beth had pointed out that it must almost be Judith's first birthday. They had been on the road all of the last winter before finding the prison in the spring. Judith had been born not long after that. This had set off a conversation about when it was people's birthdays. Ricks was March, Glenn's was October 31st, which raised a few smiles as they were now living a never ending Halloween. Eleanor's said hers was August and then it was Daryl's turn. He shrugged and said he wasn't sure as he didn't recall ever celebrating a birthday, he thought it might be sometime in the spring, but had never been bothered. The conversation moved on quickly as to not embarrass him.

That night Eleanor nestled against him "You really never had a birthday?" she asked "What about Christmas?" She felt him shake his head.

"Never had a proper Christmas either" he told her. "Aint bothered though, can't miss what you never had" She moved closer and started planning.

Daryl saw Eleanor talking to Rick and headed towards them, as he approached they both headed in different directions. Later he saw her talking with Mitchel and Jamie and again when he approached they separated. He thought it was odd but wasn't really that concerned. He headed off for something to eat before his turn on watch.

Several hours later he returned to their room, there was no sign of her so he headed out to find her.

"You seen Ellie?" he asked Rick, when he found him in the kitchen area.

"She's gone on a run with Mitchell and Jamie." He was told "She'll be back in a day or two"

He was furious "You let her go on a run with them two kids?" He shouted "Why'd she not say anything? Where the hell's she gone?"

Rick put a hand on his arm.

"Relax, she'll be fine" Rick tried to reassure him "She can take care of herself and those kids are pretty good in a fight"

"Where's she gone?" Daryl demanded to know again.

"She made me promise not to tell you" Rick told him nervously, expecting an outburst. He got what he expected but honoured his promise. Eventually Daryl stalked off and made life hell for everyone until she returned.

They had been away for two nights but returned safe and well. Carol greeted Eleanor with a plate of food and a smile.

"Find what you was looking for?" she asked.

Eleanor nodded "Yeah, that and loads more besides but it weren't easy being there. Lots of real bad memories."

Carol nodded sadly "I can believe that. I don't think I could've done it. You three were very brave"

"Just gotta hope it was worth it" Eleanor said quietly.

Daryl was pacing in their room, he hadn't slept since she'd left and was still furious with Rick for letting her go and for not telling him where she was. He couldn't work out why he felt like this, he'd barely eaten and had a tight feeling in his chest. It felt like a piece of him was missing. He didn't know what he would do if she never came back. Suddenly he stopped pacing as it all clicked into place. He couldn't be without her because he loved her. He swore as the realisation hit him. He'd never loved anyone before and it was an alien feeling. He sure as hell wasn't going to tell her how he felt, she'd probably laugh in his face. If she cared for him she wouldn't run off without telling him anything. He needed to do something to clear his head so he decided to go hunting. They didn't really need anything but he wanted to be outside, on his own.

He was heading to the main gate when he heard her voice. He saw her talking to Carol and tucking into a plate of food. She was back and hadn't even bothered to tell him. His inner voice was telling him that's how much she cares, don't even bother to let you know she's safe. His plan was to just leave but he found himself heading towards her.

"Where the hell you bin?" he challenged her, "Didn't occur to yer to let me know you was back, not that you told me you was leaving" His voice was low and angry. She glanced at him

"Didn't know I had to have your permission to go outside" she stated calmly as she continued to eat. He saw red, grabbing the plate and hurling it to the floor.

"Don't need my permission, just thought I meant enough you'd at least let me know you were goin' off somewhere with a couple of kids" He leant into her face, shouting at her .

One of the other men came over and put a hand on his arm.

"Back off man, go easy on her" he told him. Daryl pulled his arm free and went to punch the man

"Keep out of it, aint none of your business" he yelled. Eleanor caught his arm before he hit the man.

"It's okay David" she reassured the man "I got this, thanks for being there, but there's no problem" She noticed several other people watching, ready to step in if they felt it went too far, Rick included.

"He makes a lot of noise, but I know he'll never hurt me" she led him away from the kitchen, into the maze of allies between the buildings. Once they were out of earshot she rounded on him.

"What the hell was that all about?" she hissed at him "I've gone on runs without you before, why's it such a problem this time?"

He ran his fingers through his hair and turned away, taking a few steps away before spinning round and closing the gap between them.

"I was worried 'bout yer" he admitted quietly "everyone else knew where you were, no one told me. You left without a word, figured you'd gone somewhere bad, that's why you wouldn't say" He turned away again.

"You don't have to worry about me all the time" she told him softly "I like that you do, but you don't have to. I can take care of myself and I wouldn't do anything to put myself in danger. You gotta stop getting so uptight"

He faced her again, gripping her arms and making her look at him.

"I can't stop" He whispered, dropping his gaze to the floor "I can't stop worrying,'cos I can't lose yer." He met her eyes "I love yer" he blurted out.

She froze, staring at him "What did you just say?"

He managed a little smirk "Think you heard, I aint sayin' it again"

He heard her laugh "I heard, I just wanted to hear it again" she told him as she pulled him to her, kissing him. His arms went round her as he returned the kiss.

When the kiss ended she stayed in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder.

"When we was locked up by that gang of losers, you all beat up, I thought you was gonna die and I couldn't cope with that. I nearly lost it and that's when I knew I loved you. I haven't told you cos I thought it would scare you off" she admitted. He pushed her away from him and gazed at her.

"So what you sayin'?" he wanted to hear her say it.

She grabbed his chin and pulled his face to hers. Just before their lips met again he heard her,

"I'm sayin' I love you, dumbass"

The kiss started gentle and tender, then got a lot more passionate. He pushed her backwards until she couldn't go any further. His hands slid under her shirt, finding the bare skin of her back and stomach. She pressed against him, wanting more. Her leg wrapped around his, pulling him closer. He moved from her mouth to her neck and shoulders and she arched against him, digging her fingers into his hair. Her hands dropped exploring his chest and back and she moaned softly as his lips found her mouth again, hands burrowing into her long hair. Finally he pulled away from her, taking her hand.

"Come on" he tried to pull her from the alleyway, wanting to get back to their room.

She pulled him back to her "No" she whispered huskily "Now, here"

Who was he to refuse?

A/N Sorry, self indulgent soppiness