AN: It seems like just yesterday I started this story...I'm so happy, I'm almost on chapter twenty, and I have almost four times as many review that I got on another story (that was 33 chapters long). I keep getting so many new ideas that I can't wait to use! FanFicGirl10, good point about the hurricanes, I hadn't thought about that! here it is:

The soft rumble of thunder, with the loud crackle of lightning, woke a sleeping Emily. She'd always been terribly afraid of thunder storms, and would sleep in her momma and papa's bed whenever there was one. Her small bed on the floor-once a fun new place to sleep, now seemed like a desolate island away from her surrogate mother and father. She grabbed the cover from her bed, and leaped into the bed with Daryl and Lilian. They were wrapped in each other's arms, so she curled up at the foot, still feeling lonely and scared.

Lilian and Daryl were both alert within second of the movement in their bed. They untangled their limbs from one another and scanned the room, fearing a walker may have entered the hotel without being noticed, which was unlikely, but not impossible. Lilian felt movement at her feet, the room was absolutely pitch black and she didn't have the slightest clue to what could be down there.

"Emie," she called out softly. She wanted to check to make sure the child was okay. Whatever was at the foot of Lilian's bed came closer, until it was right between her and Daryl in the small vacant space between the two.

"Right here," Emily whispered. "I'm scared Lily..."

"Is it the thunder?" she nodded and sniffled a little, the poor child was still a bit under the weather. "C'mere then sweet pea."

"Tell me a story?" she asked in such a way that made it impossible for Lilian to say no.

"Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess with long black hair-"

"Not about princesses," Emily interrupted.

"What do you want it to be about then?"

"Um..." she thought for a moment before deciding she didn't want to hear a story, she wanted to ask questions. "Are you and Dar married?"

"Nope."

"Have you ever been married?"

"Yes."

"To who?"

"His name was Phil," Lilian wanted to avoid this subject, but how was she suppose to hide her past? She knew that even though Daryl was rolled over on his side, he was listening.

"Did you love him?"

"At one point...yes."

"Did you ever have any kids?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Lilian let out a sigh, she didn't want to go into this, not now, probably not ever.

"Why don't we try ta get some sleep?" Daryl asked, sensing that it was a touchy subject for Lilian, and he didn't really want to hear about a man that Lilian had been with before him.

"But the thunder-"

"I'll protect yew," Daryl rolled over to face the two of them, Emily was on her back, laying on both pillows.

"Fine. Night Dar, night Lily."

"Good night," they said in unison.

Emily was a sleep faster then they'd expected, while Lilian and Daryl laid awake, facing each other.

"Thank you," she said, referring to him saving her from answering Emily's questions.

"Thought yew migh' need a knight 'n shinin' armor."

"I didn't," Lilian said, she could see Daryl's frown even in the darkness. He began to turn away, but she touched his shoulder and stopped him. "I needed my knight 'n shining cross-bow," they both chuckled at her failed play on words. "It sounded better in my head."

"I bet it did, Princess," he took her dainty hand that was resting on her pillow in his hands that seemed extremely large compared to her's. It was hard to believe these hands that wielded a bow were so small and feminine. His lips gently pressed against the soft skin on each of her fingers. She smiled softly at his loving act.

She inhaled as if she was about to say something, but stopped. Lilian couldn't muster the courage to tell him. Something about Daryl Dixon made her overwhelmed with nerves. She tried to think of something that didn't scare the life out of her to say, but she came up blank. Daryl continued to play with her hand, it was really soothing actually, and was making her tired.

"Night Daryl," she whispered.

"Night Princess."

OoO

The faint smell of coconuts invaded Daryl's nose when he woke. On the side of his neck, he felt a soft feminine hand resting lightly. His own hand was tangled in someone's hair, when he opened his eyes he saw the silky blonde locks tangled around his fingers.

"Mm...Daryl," Lilian said. It took him a moment to realize she was still asleep, and was dreaming about him. This has to be a dream, he thought. Everything seemed so...perfect. And perfect wasn't a word to be taken lightly, not anymore anyway. Good, was about as best as things got. Lilian stirred in her sleep and grinded her hips against his. He felt himself become quickly aroused. Lilian's beautiful ocean blue eyes opened and looked at him surprised. "Good morning to you too," she grinned. He grunted in response. She pecked his lips with her own.

"Where's Em?" he asked, expecting her to know where the child was.

"She got up 'round five, Carol came in and took her down to the kitchen."

"So we alone?"

"What'd you have in mind?"

"Yew kno' whut I had 'n mind."

He straddled her and roughly pressed his lips against her's. She grinned into the kiss.

For the second meal in a row, Daryl and Lilian made the walk of shame.

"No wonder y'all got the honeymoon sweet," Maggie laughed while eating her fruit. Daryl sat down wordlessly, and Lilian gave Maggie a shy smile.

"So," Lilian began to change the subject. "I think we need to make a run to like a market, and just rade all we can get. This food won't last forever."

"Could be dangerous," Rick said.

"I know, but we could get everything the group needs in one trip. Lori, I'm sure you're going to need more vitamins soon," Lori nodded to the blonde. "And, these sample soaps won't last forever."

"Okay," Rick agreed. "We're gonna need volunteers."

"I'll go," Daryl said. He wasn't leaving Lilian's side.

"Me too," Mason joined.

"Count me in," Maggie said.

"And me," Glenn added.

"Okay, hold up now, we can't take all the man power. Some people need to stay and hold down the fort."

"Rick, if you wanna stay, you can," Lilian said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Mason-" she wanted to tell him to stay too.

"Don't leave me daddy," Olive begged.

"I guess I'm out," Mason said.

"Okay, we can leave after breakfast," Lilian smiled.

AN: Let me know what you thought! I luv to hear opinions. What do you think of Rick sitting this one out? Is it a good idea on Lilian's part?