Hey guys, hope you're having fun with this story cause I love doing this! I never mentioned that WTFdoUwantNOW was my inspiration to create this and was the reason I loved Daryl and Maggie! Hope you write another story, alright story time..

Chapter 9: Hurting

Rick had a long day ahead of him. He had to take care of Randall Shane and the safety of his family and camp. He was sure his beard was growing out faster and he was gaining an old man look. His beard was a dark shade of brown going gray, and his hair still short and a classic cop look. He was wearing a nice white jacket and blue jeans, slumping down to the barn. Rick had wanted Daryl to come but he knew he was busy with something more important. Maggie was hurting and he had to be there for her.

Rick entered the barn to see Randall to be a walker, and still strapped. Rick was the only one who knew they were all infected as he stabbed the walker in the head. Who could've killed Randall in the middle of the night? He had to guess Shane but there was more behind it, it could've been anyone and he wasn't waiting to find out. He was gonna investigate deeply.

Glenn had his arms wound around Beth. "I'm so sorry, I wanna help you so bad Beth." Glenn tried consoling her. She remained silent and it was killing him, she'd never looked this hurt before. Her eyes just looked zoned out and there were no more tears, just puffy red eyes and slump shoulders. He was sure she wouldn't get any sleep tonight and that would keep him awake as well. Glenn could only imagine how Daryl was with Maggie. She was the eldest and that must really hurt but Patricia..

Shane didn't know what was going on with him, did he really go crazy? No. He killed Otis and Randall in cold blood all in 24 hours. Now he was plotting to kill Daryl which would hurt Maggie and Rick the most. Eventually he would make a chain and now was lost so he grabbed his Mosseberg and exited the house.

Daryl still held Maggie tightly to his chest, her arms around his neck burying her head into his neck squeezing him. He returned it by his arms around her waist with one hand on her lower back and the other in her hair with his face buried in the side of her head being as close as possible while sitting. She didn't have words and neither did he so he pulled back and tilted her head to look into her eyes. He knew she knew that Shane did this.

"Ima fix this, whatever it is. I'll make sure Maggie. Won't let no one hurt you in front o' me" he promised. She gave a small smile, she smiled. He couldn't believe that he himself made her smile and feel better. He was cut out of thought when she caressed his cheek. His face went red again, he was a bit terrified of what might happen. She slowly brought her lips to his cheek and kissed his cheek affectionately. "Thank you" she said seriously but smiling as she pulled back. He only nodded and stood cracking a grin. He saw Shane walk out back, and then Rick walk down to the house. He shook his head at Daryl, "Wha'?" Daryl narrowed his eyes. "He ain't alive someone killed em' overnight" he told. Daryl stomped over to Shane before Rick pulled him back. "Daryl no, not yet" Rick scolded. "Asshole killed both of em and you know it" Daryl growled pointing a finger at Rick.

"Listen I understand but we've got a couple things to take care of first. Starting with a run in town with me if ya' wanna come" Rick asked looking at Maggie mainly. "Uh yea' but what bout Sophia?" Daryl questioned. "I made T-Dog run the search with Glenn Andrea and Dale. That's a days work from four people and tomorrow we'll assemble the whole group again." Rick assured.

"A'right let's move" He said quietly as he walked over to Maggie. Rick ran over to Daryl's grimy sky blue 90's pick up truck. He'd decided to drive since Daryl looked a bit troubled.

"Promise you ain't gon do nothin' stupid" he teased helping her up from his camp. She smiled squeezed his hand as he pulled her up and they walked up to the front door. "Thank you" she said again, "For wha'?" Maggie opened the door, "Everything Daryl" She looked like she was gonna cry again as she shut the door. He knew it was for the fact she knew he wasn't touchy feely but for her, he threw it away. He took the time to be the one to take care of her. Daryl felt like if Merle saw him, he'd stab him with his stump. But Daryl felt less stiff with his group now.

Daryl and Rick were off on their way through the dirt road a couple miles to enter town on a nice quiet ride. The scenery outside was beautiful, the landscape bring mainly all grass and trees with a couple of hills beyond. Around them was just a dirt road and grass fields without any noise or even walkers. It was relaxing. "This is my fault. All of it" Rick gripped the steering wheel. Daryl's eyes cracked open. "No don't ever even think that Rick. We lost a couple but we're still in one piece and sheltered because you you. You led us to safety so don't lemme hear shit bout' ya' sayin' it's yur fault." Daryl lectured.

Rick was gonna believe him, and shut his mouth. "Is everythang alright with Carl and Lori?" Daryl didn't sound too concerned. "Carl's fine, he learned how to defend himself so that's less a worry. Lori, I think her and Shane. He…-" he trailed off lost in thought. "Pregnant? It ain't his, they did that shit one but you and her had history. A lil' welcome back" he chuckled with Rick. "The best one too. Not so sure you won't be laughin' all too much." Rick said. "And why's that?" "Well, because you'll get yours with Maggie" he shot a sly grin and Daryl sunk in his seat. "Who said we even talk" Rick laughed, "We've all seen you, it's obvious Daryl. Just gotta face it soon."

Maggie sat in the basement couch where she and Daryl had slept. She liked it there with him, Daryl was a get away for her. Just someone that could make the pain go away and always take care of her. It was like he was finding ways to tell her he loves her. She knew that's how she felt towards him. She lay where they were curled and closed her eyes to drift into a deep sleep.

T-Dog had come up with not using guns and that they had numbers so they could use close quarters weapons. So he was in front holding his buck knife with Glenn holding a shovel behind him with his hatchet tucked in his pants. Andrea held a pitchfork steady with Dale holding a one sided axe. They kept a gap and saw one female walker approaching T. Glenn stepped behind it and pushed it to the ground as Dale finished it straight with one strike to the head. They continued down by the lake ignoring it and continuing forward.

Beth had been dead asleep by the time Glenn had left on the search and Patricia was trying as Hershel sat on a chair next to her apologizing for everything. Even they thought it was Shane and had to get rid of him. They'd seen Shane outside right now pacing in circles like a maniac. That was the darker side and as he stepped to the back he saw Carl with Lori and Carol taking care of laundry and joking together like the end of the world wasn't the start of this. He looked at that as the lighter side of this wreck of shit.

Daryl and Rick pulled up to a convenience store right next to a bar. "Here" Rick walked up training his pistol on the door as Daryl followed up targeting his crossbow side to side. Rick quietly slipped the door open Daryl entered with him. It was quiet and empty as well as being a bit tidy for this world. "Priorities, food OTC drinks and weapons of any sort. Then we get whatever's leftover for room." Daryl nodded in response and started searching.

After about ten minutes, Daryl and Rick found a double barrel shotgun and a 4 inch snub revolver behind the counter. They'd found a 6 pack of flavored water and 2 gallons of water. They stumbled upon a lot of canned food, mainly spaghetti o's and Campbell's.

"Now ya' get what Ya need" Daryl told Rick looking at the baby aisle as if already knowing what happened between Rick Shane and Lori. Rick went up to the aisle and grabbed pregnancy test strips. About 4 of them as Daryl trudged along the side finding heart chocolates a full and fresh pack as well as a pair of Jack Daniels whiskey bottles filled and tempting. Rick stared at him already done with his work and smiled, "Alright let's go Daryl" Daryl knew Rick was amused by his drive for alcohol. They slipped out and stepped in the car, suddenly they heard rustling by the door. They jumped out the car and waited by the door and slipped inside to look what the noise was. "Ain't nothin' in here, hell was that noise?" Daryl asked viciously. "Not sure but ain't here so let's get back safe" Rick urged.

The two of them slipped in the truck and made their way back to the road on their way to home. Only not to know behind the counter, creeping was Shane cursing and slipping out to the road. Why was he there?

Andrea and they're group had been inside with the rest of the group having a discussion as in what to do today. Only Maggie had been asleep and Beth was sleeping beside Patricia. Hershel proposed that they have a service for Otis then do something sweet for winter, maybe Beth playing a song or a movie and cocoa and all sorts of fluffy things. He was quite the jolly old man. They'd settled that the next time it snows that Beth would sing a song and they'd watch a movie by the basement fire as a family.

Maggie was awoken by two rough hands gripping her waist and pulling her close. Normally a touch a boyfriend or husband would use so she was going to punch the person hard only to see it was Daryl in the dark. A smiling warm Daryl holding her to him. She looked at his lips and back at him so she decided to let him plan this out. He moved his hands up to her rib cage right beneath her breast. God she was gonna explode by that one movement. Daryl pulled Maggie even closer with their faces just centimeters apart. Maggie ran her hands through his hair and played with it smiling at him lustfully and he returned that look.

Maggie placed a kiss on his jugular and Daryl groaned. His arms ran from her ribs down her waist back up to pull her close again, closing his mouth on her shoulder sucking the life out of her. She moaned loudly and Daryl wanted onto hear that. He quickly threw her on her back as they both shed their clothes. Now being naked, Daryl climbed over her and lined his penis with her to slide in and did so. "I love you" He cried and kissed her soft lips.

"I love you" Maggie whispered as she opened her eyes to see a quiet room, a fuckin dream. She almost broke down and got up from the couch. She heard the shitty ford pull up and the doors being opened. She rushed out to see Daryl and Rick in one piece with bags of essentials.

Daryl smiled at her and she just wanted to jump him and have him touch her in the back of his truck but knew she was dreaming for a reason. She smiled and approached him. Rick entered the house with the supplies. "Whiskey? Oh for the big night?" Maggie said seductively and Daryl knew she went back to her normal self and smiled. "Why not. Seen Shane?" Maggie's eyes widened, "Uh no he isn't here" she answered. Daryl knew Rick would find out and solve it. Daryl just wanted to hang out with Maggie then sleep.

Beth was asleep with Glenn beside her hand in hand. Patricia disappeared and Glenn took the moment to kiss her cheek and let her know since he was too much of a pussy to say it while she could hear. "I love you" he said squeezing her hand and leaving to Rick.

"He isn't here" Rick said directing his attention to Glenn furiously. Glenn only adjusted his cap and grabbed his walther p99 and exited with Rick. T-Dog holstered his M1911, following up shortly to see Shane pull up in his Hyundai. Rick glared at him ready for answers.

Daryl and Maggie walked down the field and we're both quiet. Maggie eventually spoke up. "What're you gonna do about Shane?" She asked. "Well, ima take care of him if Rick don't. Ain't no space for killers in this group." He answered looking ahead. He looked so deep in thought.

Daryl didn't know if Rick had it in him to make the decision on Shane, and Daryl wasn't afraid of much. So he would take care of Shane for the group. He looked back at Maggie who was looking at him, he had the weird feeling that she really wanted him and he couldn't deny he wanted her.

It had hit night so Daryl and Maggie ended up going inside and Daryl sat with her in Beth's room for about 20 minutes until Daryl said good night to Maggie and took a look at Beth thoughtfully. He slowly turned and went outside. Daryl didn't know why seeing Beth's state crushed him. Not in a way he loved her in just like a little sister he needed to take care of shattered. He looked at the guitar in his tent Glenn left and walked over to it. He began to strum it softly.

Alright guys, we're getting close to a big chapter and Shane's resolution as well as Daggie! I think I started shipping them because they were the hottest and basically toughest of their genders. They just fall together to me haha! Well enjoy!