A/N: Don't own (although I'd love to have my very own Norman Reedus :D) don't sue!
Lyrics are from 'Rain' by Patty Griffin
Rain
Chapter Nineteen
It's hard to listen to a hard, hard heart
Beatin' close to mine
Poundin' up against the stone and steel
Walls that I won't climb
Sometimes a hurt is so deep, deep, deep
You think that you're gonna drown
Sometimes all I can do is weep, weep, weep
With all this rain fallin' down
Strange, how hard it rains now
Rows and rows of big dark clouds
When I'm holding on underneath this shroud
Rain
It's hard to know when to give up the fight
Some things you want will just never be right
It's never rained like it has tonight before
Now, I don't wanna beg you, baby
For something maybe you could never give
I'm not lookin' for the rest of your life
I just want another chance to live
Strange, how hard it rains now
Rows and rows of big dark clouds
When I'm holdin' on underneath this shroud
Rain
"Why do men lie?"
Cassidy was spending her watch leaning over the edge of the wooden roof with her rifle set up besides her. Lochie was sprawled on her back glaring moodily up at the clear blue sky and picking at the chipped paint on her nails.
"Men lie for the same reason women fake orgasms, because it's much less hassle than not doing it."
Lochie snorted.
"Don't tell me the Sheriff is a liar." Cassidy commented in some amusement. "You're supposed to be watching that side of the road, by the way."
"You know perfectly well that you're just as aware of what's happening on that side as the one you're facing." Lochie grumbled touchily. "No, I don't think he's ever lied. Unless you count lying to himself."
Cassidy didn't reply. Lochie had been sullen and touchy since her conversation with Rick the previous afternoon but she could tell the little imp was miserable.
"What are they talking about?" Lochie asked, crawling over to sit besides her with her back against the wooden rail.
"Daryl wants to go on another summer home hunt."
Lochie squinted over her shoulder at Rick and Daryl a few feet away by the wood chopping pile. Cassidy was reminded uncomfortably of the various arguments between Rick and Shane that had started off in just the same way.
"Are you going to go?" Lochie asked, turning her shoulder against the two men below them.
Cassidy frowned. Lochie hadn't even contemplated whether she'd stay or not if Daryl went on a nature hike, she'd just assumed she'd go with him.
"I take it Rick isn't too chipper about the idea."
Cassidy glanced at the dark weary face of their leader.
"He doesn't really have a choice. We can't stay here forever, we don't have any food and this wooden shack won't be much of a defence if another horde arrives. And the place really wasn't built for more than a couple of people to inhabit for any amount of time. If I have to listen to Glenn snoring for one more night I'll rip out his oesophagus and beat him to death with it."
"Colourful." Lochie sighed, gave herself a shake and sat up. "Right. I've had enough."
"Going to jump his bones finally?"
"Shut up." Lochie glowered. "It's the end of the world and I'm not going to spend the rest of my probably short lifespan moping about over a guy. Especially not when you and your beau are about to take off on a kinky weekend away."
"Wow." Cassidy stared at her. "That's… you really have a skewed view of things."
Lochie shrugged. Her grin was back in place although it looked a little forced, a little tighter around the edges than it should be.
"Well you have to take what you're given. A dirty weekend in Paris it is not, but the essentials are still the same."
"Of course. Except for the possibility of being eaten alive. Pretty sure you don't get that on a dirty weekend in Paris."
"Only the really kinky ones."
Cassidy rolled her eyes. Muted voices filtered through the roof towards them. After a moment Daryl's head appeared over the edge of the roof. He squinted at them, clambering heavily onto the roof. Lochie was eyeing him narrowly, a thoughtful crease between her brows and Daryl shot a wary glance at Cassidy.
"What?" He finally snapped.
"You need a haircut." Lochie told him decisively.
"'Scuse me?"
Daryl looked from one to the other as if hoping for an explanation.
"Stay there." Lochie ordered, scrambling over the edge of the roof and squirreling her way down the side of the building.
"She's jokin', right?"
Cassidy shrugged.
"I doubt it." Her lips curled into a wicked grin as they heard Lochie making her way back up to the roof. "You're really going to let her loose about your head with a pair of sharp scissors?"
Daryl looked rather faint but he managed to scowl at her as Lochie reappeared.
"Sit." She ordered.
He glared but she ignored him, kneeling behind him and examining his tangled locks. Water was rather scarce but the rain had cleared most of the blood and dirt from his shaggy hair. She combed her fingers through it roughly, completely ignoring his curses when her nails caught in tangles. He glowered at Cassidy as if it were entirely her fault when Lochie brandished the scissors. In the end, and mainly to keep from laughing at the martyred look on his face, Cassidy turned back to her watch. Lochie's inane chatter filtered over her as she scanned the area carefully. It was still relatively early but the sun was climbing high and it was already burning the back of her neck. It was going to be a hell of a hot day.
Daryl looked perfectly capable of strangling Lochie as she snipped at his hair but he seemed to sense that the kid needed something and he reluctantly held his grumpy silence until she was done. He did shoot Cassidy a murderous glare when she peeked at them though, looking for all the world as if he expected to be minus an ear before the ordeal was over.
Lochie finally sat back on her heels and scrutinised her handiwork. Deciding it would do, she made a hasty exit on the pretext of giving Carl a haircut. Daryl ran his hands over his head self-consciously.
"Relax, Dixon. She just gave you a trim." Cassidy yanked his head, examining it from all angles. "No bald patches to speak of."
Daryl grunted. She continued to tug on his hair, scratching her nails pleasantly over his scalp and working the delicate skin until he was tingling from head to toe.
"So when do we head out?"
"Where?" He hedged, staring out at the road they'd travelled down less than a day ago.
"Don't play with me, redneck."
He reached behind him, looping one arm around her knees and tugging until she slid quite pliantly into his lap. She eyed him in amusement, one hand still tangled in his hair.
"I know what you and Rick have been whispering about all night."
He tilted his face down to look at her, his eyes dark and the slant of the sun behind him casting shadows across his features.
"You a mind reader now?"
She shrugged, leaning back against the warm wood of the roof on the palms of her hands and looking at him steadily.
"Just yours, Dixon. It's pretty simple, lots of pictures."
The corner of his mouth twitched but his brow was still furrowed thoughtfully.
"You're not going without me." She said warningly.
"Someone has to keep these people alive. They ain't too good at it on their own."
"Dixon-"
"It'll be safer here."
"Are you serious?"
"They need someone—"
"I don't give a shit, you are not going off into the wilderness on your own."
"I don't need you to protect me, lady."
"Don't you pull that macho bullshit with me. These people were managing just fine before I got here."
He muttered something but she was quite implacable, no amount of arguing, threatening, cajoling, or even something that smacked a little of entreating, would move her. When he threatened to tie her up and leave her here until he was far enough away she pointed out quite calmly that when they played those kinds of games she always managed to slip out of his knots sooner than he'd hoped.
"You sure you wanna come?"
She tilted her chin defiantly.
"Well someone has to keep an eye on your ass, redneck." Her lips curled wickedly, one hand vanishing into the gap of his shirt. "After all it is such a nice ass, it would be a shame to see it all decayed and nasty."
He pursed his lips to keep from grinning and she smiled brilliantly at him.
"You can't just use sex to get your way." He protested grouchily although his cheeks were tinged pink.
"Oh? I rather think I can." She said cheerfully, dragging her nails along the planes of his chest.
"Not if I don't let you have your way with me you can't." He argued mutinously, stubbornly trying to remain on target when she was pressed quite so deliciously into his lap.
"Have my way?" She repeated, distracted from her caresses. "Really? Maybe I could ravish you. Impune your honour. Take liberties with your person in the long grass-"
"What the fuck are you talking about?" He snapped testily, not entirely sure what she was saying but certain from the tone of her voice that she was teasing him again.
"Well I could stop talking and go back to the seducing, it's really up to you."
"I-"
"Hey, I'm taking over watch."
Glenn's cheerful voice interrupted the brewing argument and Daryl shoved her off his lap. She didn't take it personally, getting slowly to her feet and moving across the roof to take her rifle apart again.
The subject wasn't mentioned again for the rest of the day but Daryl was well aware of Cassidy watching his every move in case he tried to leave without her. He'd been helping Rick take stock of their supplies, a relatively simple task since they didn't have much of anything, and was heading out to answer nature's call when she appeared out of nowhere besides him.
"Where are you going?" She demanded sweetly, falling into step with him as he strode towards the trees.
"Takin' a leak. You gonna follow me?"
"Maybe."
He muttered curses under his breath but she only grinned at him and vanished as suddenly as she'd appeared. He felt slightly flustered and bemused, completely thrown at how tenaciously she was insisting on coming with him. It had been a long time since anyone had cared about him risking his neck. When he was done he did a quick patrol around the land they'd taken over, checking for tracks and signs of walkers or trespassers. It would be dark in less than an hour, the rest of them were squashed into the lodge. It was separated into two rooms, neither of which were particularly big. They were way past arguing over everybody bunking together, although Hershel had cast a beady eye over Glenn when he'd set up a raggedy blanket besides Maggie's.
Carol, Lori and Carl were sleeping in one room, T-Dog on watch by the window and Hershel, Maggie, Beth and Glenn were settling down in the other. Lochie had spent the previous two nights curled up in the corner away from everybody else but tonight she planned to sleep on the roof.
"Don't be so stupid." Cassidy was arguing when Daryl stomped into the room. "It's freezing. You'll die of hypothermia, you idiot."
"A few hours won't kill me." Lochie said breezily, rolling a rather moth-eaten blanket up and tucking it under her arm.
Before Cassidy could argue further Lochie wandered off to set up her makeshift bed.
"I'm on watch tonight." Rick said quietly. "I'll keep an eye on her."
Cassidy eyed him thoughtfully but decided against commenting. Neither of them seemed to have noticed Daryl's arrival in the rapidly darkening room.
"You're going with him."
It was less of a question, more of a resigned statement and Cassidy jerked her head.
"Dawn." She gestured at the small pile of raggedy old clothes and what was left of their ammunition, which was all that constituted their supplies. "Not going to take much preparing."
He gave a mirthless half chuckle and scrubbed his hands over his stubbled chin.
"It's the only thing to do." She said shortly, lowering her voice slightly when Carl shifted in his sleep in the corner. "We can't stay here forever. It's hardly secure. I'm going to leave Lochie my rifle, she's a good shot when she concentrates. You'll be safe enough until we can find something better. Your people need food and somewhere relatively protected. This shack won't provide either."
Rick looked torn, aware that they needed help but loathe to split their little group up. Eventually he swallowed the rest of his protestations and glanced at Daryl, leaning calmly against the wall taking everything in.
"Be careful."
Cassidy didn't reply and Carl called out to Rick before he could say anything else. Cassidy pushed open the door and disappeared onto the porch. After a moment, Daryl followed. She was perched on the rail, peering out into the rapidly darkening night thoughtfully. He knew she'd sensed his approach because he saw her shoulders tighten fractionally, then release when she realised who it was.
"See somethin'?"
She shrugged.
"Trees. Whole lotta trees." She cocked her head slightly towards him. "You think we're going to find salvation out there?"
Taken aback at her serious tone, he frowned. She rolled one slender shoulder in a half shrug, leaning back against him. It made some of the doubts he'd been experiencing since she'd told him of her attack fade to know that it never entered her head that he might let her fall. He contemplated putting an arm around her waist but he figured she might find that hilariously cheesy so he put one hand on the rail on either side of her instead.
"We should rest. Get goin' at dawn, 'fore it gets too hot."
She was so quiet that for a moment he thought she might not have heard him.
"Can we just-" Her voice did something strange and she paused. "Can we stay here, just for a bit longer?"
He was more surprised by the vulnerability in her voice than the actual question. He nodded and she pressed back against him briefly.
"Sure, Red. Sure."
Rick peered into the darkness. He'd been on watch for a few hours, long enough for his eyes to adjust to the complete darkness. The night was uncomfortably still, the silence broken every now and then by the twittering of a bird or the noise of an animal in the trees. He heard the blankets scratching across the wood as Lochie rolled over. She was tucked under the lip of the roof a few feet away. He glanced over his shoulder. He could see the glitter of her eyes in the dark.
"Can't sleep?"
He heard her shrug. After a moment she padded barefoot across the roof and sat down besides him.
"Anything?"
He shook his head, aware out of the corner of his eye when she drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
"If anything did come near us we'd never be able to see it in this anyway."
He gestured up at the dark sky. It was a cloudy night, preparing for another storm, and there were very few stars and only a patch of the moon was visible.
"They barricaded the door." Lochie said reassuringly. "Anything trying to get in will create plenty of noise."
He could feel the heat emanating from her slender body besides him, could practically hear her chest rising and falling as she breathed. When she reached up to scratch an insect bite on her arm, her fingers brushed against him through the thin material of his shirt. He felt goosebumps lift the hairs on his arms.
"Are you cold?" Lochie asked in concern when his body gave an involuntary shiver.
He didn't reply, too embarrassed at how his body had reacted to such brief contact. He felt her get to her feet, heard her cross the roof again and then she returned with the scratchy musty blanket. She slung it over his shoulders, the knuckles of her hand brushing against the back of his neck accidentally. If she felt his muscles tense at her touch, she didn't acknowledge it. She sat back down cross-legged besides him. After a moment's hesitation, she curled one corner of the blanket around her shoulder. Lochie was so confident and brazen that the hesitation told him more about how she felt than if she'd actually said it. There was barely an inch of space between their shoulders, her knee tucked under where his were cocked up by his feet propped against the edge of the roof. The tension buzzed thickly between them inside the blanket. When she reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, he could see that her hand wasn't entirely steady. The hair fell back into place as soon as her hand rested in her lap again. He brushed it off her cheek and she started slightly, giving him a sheepish grin when he withdrew his hand.
"Sorry."
Not entirely sure what she was apologising for, he shrugged.
"You shouldn't be on watch. You should be sleeping." She said suddenly, startling him into blinking at her in bemusement. "You don't rest enough as it is."
He shrugged again, leaning his forearms on his cocked knees.
"You can sleep if you like, I'll take over."
He darted an annoyed look at her.
"I am not going to sleep and leaving you here."
"Why? Because I'm a girl?" She huffed irritably, thoroughly offended at the implication.
"No." Rick denied hurriedly. "Because it's my watch."
"Uh huh." Lochie said disbelievingly. "Whatever Mr Chauvinist."
"I am not-" Rick broke off with some difficulty when he realised she was grinning at him.
"I'm yanking your chain, Sheriff." She giggled, flicking the lock of hair off her face again. "My feet are cold." She frowned.
He felt her wiggling around as she struggled to get out of the zippered hoody she had on.
"What's wrong?" He asked when she cursed.
"The zip's stuck." She said around the bleeding finger she'd shoved into her mouth.
Rick looked at her hesitantly but she was scowling down at the caught zip. He fought with the metal zipper for a moment, his hands not entirely steady as he slipped one inside the confines of the jumper to get a better grip. She didn't say anything although he felt the muscles in her stomach contract as his fingers brushed against the thin vest she was wearing. He managed to unfasten it and she murmured her thanks, shrugging out of the jumper and wrapping it around her feet.
They talked quietly for a while, not about things as they were now but the old days; music and books and football. And Shane. The old Shane who Rick had grown up with and knew like the back of his hand. After a couple of hours Lochie's replies became more and more infrequent and he realised she'd fallen asleep, her head propped against his shoulder. He tucked the blanket a little more securely around her now bare arm. He was looking out for her the same way he looked out for Carl, he told himself firmly. She was barely out of her teens, he reminded himself a little desperately as her small hand crept into the nook of his arm in her sleep.
A hand at his throat woke him up. He jerked and the hand retreated.
"Ssssh. You fell asleep."
He blinked blearily. It was still dark out. He must have dozed off for an hour or two. Lochie had been tucking the blanket under his chin, much as he had done for her earlier, when she'd woken him. He had set up for his watch in a corner of the roof with his back to the trees where he could see the road from both sides. When he'd fallen asleep he had relaxed back against the lip of the roof until he was almost horizontal. Lochie leaned over him. She was tousled from her nap, her hair sticking up all over the place and her cheeks slightly flushed. Without thinking, and still partly asleep, Rick slipped one hand along her throat, tangling his fingers into her hair. She peered down at him, not looking surprised at the unexpected caress but wary.
"I told you to make your mind up, Sheriff." She murmured haltingly.
His mind appeared to have taken leave of his body because his hand tightened of its own accord, drawing her down towards him. He felt her resisting slightly as her lips touched his, holding back. His mind was reeling, reminding him that he could not toy with this girl because it could only end badly but his body wasn't listening and his thundering heart didn't seem to have a problem with what was happening.
Lochie's qualms seemed to have been quelled too because her hands were working the buttons of his shirt. Any hidden curiosities he may have had about whether she was actually still as innocent as she looked were quickly dispelled as her nimble nifty fingers caressed him everywhere. Apparently hands that could lift a million dollar diamond necklace from a museum without causing even a hiccup in their top security measures, were also rather excellent at creeping into hidden crevices and eliciting surprising sensations.
Rick tried hard to remember all the reasons he was supposed to be staying away from her but it was impossible when she gazed up at him so thoroughly endearingly, her heart-shaped face so open and trusting beneath him. Of course those big innocent eyes masked a thoroughly wicked streak that rapidly dissolved any of his fears.
VileMalapert – thanks I'm glad you liked it lol hope you like this one too :P
LadyLecter47 – fingers crossed! Oh there'll be plenty more Lori bashing to come, I'm rather enjoying this plotline :D
JTellersOldLady – absolutely! She definitely needs a punch, if they hadn't knocked her up I totally would have written it too.
Sunnymuffins – I wish I could, there will be more bashing to come though. Yay :D
zaii – I'd much rather have Shane still in the show than Lori, I miss Shane he was awesome :(
SaraLostInes – oh she definitely did, and more. Useless bint.
eloquent dreams – I don't mind being cute with Rick and Lochie, I imagine Rick would be adorably cute as a date. I don't think anyone likes Lori, she's just so horrible urgh!
SharonH – oooo I sincerely hope she gets a horrible long drawn out messy painful death. Bitch.