Disclaimer: AMC owns this version of the Walking Dead characters. I have created Fin, so she's mine but I'd let them borrow her as long as they'd play nice… :P

Notes: I made some edits to Chapter 34, found some WTF typos and ended up totally re-hauling a couple of sentences so it's the same idea…but I think it's worded better. Just in case someone read it when it was posted and was bothered by the uh-ohs…

I think I caught them all! But as always if you find any more of them; let me know and I will try to fix them ASAP! :D

Big thanks to all the readers and reviewers!

Chapter Thirty-Five

(Fin POV)

There's a loud bang from the front room.

My heart leaps into my throat. I slap my hand over my mouth terrified that whoever has just come in the front room will hear me breathing. Sit with my back against the wall too terrified to move, my whole body shaking the still functioning part of my brain screaming at me.

Move! Come on, get up! Get the Hell out of here before they find you!

I get up slowly, fingers pressed against the wall behind me trying to keep my balance. My legs shake, ache and burn in protest; exhausted from running the last two days almost non-stop trying to get as far away from the city as possible.

I finally find a place in the middle of no-where to rest, an abandoned desolate farm house and someone still finds me...

I peer around the doorway at only one man standing in the front room, his back is to me, the light in here sucks but I can make out a sleeveless shirt, dark pants some kind of knife on his belt…He's holding something in front of him…a rifle…no…a crossbow?

Great and all I have is a pocket knife.

I put my back to the wall, try to even out my breathing. Slowly get up and move towards the other doorway, away from the front room.

A board creaks under my mud caked tennis shoe and I freeze listening so hard for the sound of footsteps coming closer I feel like my hearts going to pound right out of my chest.

I move again when I don't hear anything, cross the room faster this time, have to jerk back when I see him in the kitchen this time…

Fuck! This guy is quiet…

He's opening the pantry door; looking at where I slept the last two nights curled into the smallest ball I could manage terrified something would find me…

I watch him picking up the empty can of tuna I ate the night before….he sniffs it…which I probably should have done myself…I was so hungry I didn't care; till I threw it up not twenty minutes after I ate it…

Though that could have been because it's the first thing I've eaten in about 72 hours…

I close my eyes press my back against the wall, waiting for him to move on.

I just need someplace safe; someplace away from live people and dead people and…

He's moving out the back door I jump, heart hammering when he shouts.

"Sophia!"

He keeps shouting for her for a few minutes.

"Sophia! Sophia!"

He's looking for someone specific then…

I move against the wall peering out under the filthy sheet over the broken window 'til he slips back into the woods.

I slide down the wall to sit on the dust and grime coated floor wrap my arms around my knees and press my cheek to my leg eyes closed tight waiting for my racing heartbeat to calm down.

Who ever got lost is lucky

There isn't anybody left to look for me.

I open my eyes to piercing sunlight.

…very different sunlight then I fell asleep to….this is so much brighter, harsher. The kind of light you get on one of those clear cold days; the kind of harsh light that makes the sun seems closer. It's nearly blinding even through the window. I have to blink a few times to adjust my vision.

I sit up slowly trying not to wake him. Then just sit staring down at him for a minute watching his soft even breathing, still fast asleep.

I've forgotten most of those days immediately after Abby…after my first group fell apart. Most of it was not worth remembering; I think I tried as hard as I could to forget it…wandering alone, no idea what to do with myself…terrified someone else would find me, not sure what they might do if they did… Most of it is nothing but a blur of endless hunger, fear and exhaustion.

But I'm positive it was him; even if his hair was way shorter then…

He said Carol's daughter Sophia died, he was out there looking for her…What would have happened if I'd come out? Would he have taken me with him back to Rick and the others? Could I have found a place among them even back then? I had no way of knowing what kind of person he was…Fear about what he might do to me kept me quiet.

If I'd taken the chance then I'd have never run into that other group of men several days later…

David never would have found me in the woods…taken me to his family's farm…

Who would I be now if those things had never happened to me?

I slid to the side of the bed grabbing the tank top he threw on the floor last night and pad as silently as I can into the bathroom. I don't close the door all the way, just enough to muffle the sounds; let him sleep as long as he can. We both needed rest.

I walk to the tub, fill the plastic container with water and set it on the counter. Pull the shirt over my head tug it down over my waist and grab the now dry lace panties off the shower wall, sliding into them so I can start braiding my hair in one long plait starting at the crown of my head and moving down to the now shortened ends. It still hangs to the center of my back. I leave it in one solid braid instead of twisting it back up. Start brushing my teeth; God knows I've missed toothpaste since we left the warehouse.

I'm still brushing my teeth when he opens the bathroom door behind me. He still looks half asleep judging by his reflection in the mirror over my shoulder. He moves across the cold linoleum floor 'til he's standing right behind me, meets my gaze in the mirror for a moment before he drops his head; presses his lips to my shoulder for a second. He doesn't say anything just straightens back up still looking half asleep.

I can't exactly talk with a mouth full of toothpaste, so I bend to spit in the sink. Freeze when I feel his hand against the small of my back, palm pressed flat over my spine, the fingers of his other hand curl against my skin, wrap around my waist just under my ribs. I look up at him in the mirror; still bent forward not sure what he's doing, till I catch his eyes in the mirror.

Oh. Not looking so asleep now…

I scoop up water with one hand to rinse my mouth quickly. Grip the edge of the counter with my fingers and press my hips back into him while his hand slides down my back, moves across my skin to curl against my other side.

His eyes flick to mine for a second before he looks down again, apparently fascinated with watching his hands slide across my skin.

Not that I'm complaining in any way; it feel fantastic…like everything else he does to me. I blush, look down.

His palms continue to slide over my skin up my spine, down my side gently pressing when I start to straighten; keeping me bent forward. His hands are almost possessive in their quest…Which shouldn't be hot…but tell that to the rush of heat flooding me, and the flutter of desire curling through my insides.

I press my hips back against him feel his reaction when his fingers tighten against my ribs, his jaw clenches.

I lick my lips find his eyes in the mirror. "You want to try something else you've never done before?" I miraculously succeed in smirking at him in the mirror without blushing like crazy at the same time.

He curses, palms sliding down to my hips, pulling me flush against him again. "You're going to kill me."

"Lost time remember?" We could be dead tomorrow.

His fingers curl around the lace at my hips. He holds my gaze in the mirror for a second when he starts sliding them off, then looks away breathing fast, hands shaking against my sides, like I might stop him, or he might chicken out.

I bend further reach back between my thighs, push up onto my toes and feel him jump under my hand. His breath hissing out in a string of curses that are rather impressive. His eyes find mine in the mirror again, breathing so quick I visibly watch each one through ragged rise and fall of his chest, the way his shoulders knot and his hands tighten on my sides.

I align us, feel his fingers clench against my hips and press back onto him; gasp and shiver when he rocks his hips entering me faster, deeper than I expected. He freezes, at the sound hands stilling.

"Shit, did I hurt you?" He exhales in relief when I shake my head.

I press my forearms to the countertop, rock back against him slowly, experimenting with the angle while his head tips back, and his fingers tighten on my waist.

He's holding back again, just like last night…I should find that sweet…but there's something so deliciously hot about watching him lose control…feeling him lose control…my stomach flutters and clenches with heat just thinking about it.

"Daryl," He drops his chin, looks at me again. I thrust back against him forcefully, catching him off guard completely; gasp myself when heat rushes up my spine, with the sensation. I bite my lip watching him in the mirror hiss, and curse whole body jumping in response, breath tearing out of him.

I wait till he glances at me again. "That's fucking hot."

He shakes his head looks up at the ceiling.

"Shudup" I'm not sure if he's blushing or if his skin is just flushed from sex; either way it's a brilliant look on him…makes my walls spasm and twist around him with another rush of wet heat.

He surprises me by shifting his grip on my hips, thrusting into me suddenly igniting every nerve ending I have on fire at once ending in a brilliant burst of white lightening behind my eyelids.

"Holy shit…"

I swear he just laughed; but I can't look up to see because he's doing it again and, oh god…

It only takes a few sharp thrusts and my toes are already curling, my legs shaking as I press back into him, pleasure bolting up my spine making my brain fuzzy and my hands grasp desperately to the sink top for support.

I press back against him as much as I can, don't recognize the sound that slips out of me when his palm presses me to the countertop, fingers grip my shoulder pulling me back against his thrust so each surge of his hips buries him so deep I think he's reached my spine, he's definitely found the perfect angle for the firework display behind my eyes, each roll of his hips winding the sparks and tremors in my center tighter and tighter until I explode.

I arch, shudder with the first wave and feel his hips jump forward in response when my muscles lock around him. My knees almost give out, liquid heat searing every nerve, spiraling through my core, seizing around him pulling my name from his lips with a harsh groan. While his fingers simultaneously tighten over my hips and his thrusts falter a second later spilling wave after wave, thrust after thrust inside me with a sharp curse, a ragged intake of breath.

I lay against the countertop trying to remember how to breath normally, keep my cheek pressed to the smooth surface waiting for my muscles to get back with the program.

Its only a moment or too later though when he's shifting his hold on my shoulder, sliding his hand around to my belly standing me up, pulling me back against his chest still all boneless and fuzzy, the hand on my shoulder shifts to my face, he leans his head forward, turns me till his mouth slides over mine, tongue dipping into my mouth, tracing over me, sliding along my teeth.

He pulls back. "huh."

"What?" My brain is still not up to functioning, too many neurons in my overly sexed brain doing jumping jacks or tilt-a-whirls or something other than processing…

"You taste like toothpaste." I laugh against his mouth, feel his lips quirk against mine.

"It's nice right?" I reach still tingly fingers for the tube on the sink top; manage to grab it despite my useless brain. Groan when he grabs the toothbrush off the sink, slipping out of me. I lean my hip against the countertop palms on its cool surface to steady myself while my legs decide if they want to stand or fall down. I let them figure it out themselves while he brushes his teeth.

I'm still combating post-orgasm fuzzies when his hands encircle my waist, lift me the few inches to sit bare assed on the cold linoleum counter, my forgotten lace panties tickling my ankle till I kick them the rest of the way to the floor. The cold porcelain of the sink basin presses against my left thigh making me shiver I'm about to speak when he tackles my mouth again, tongue diving into my mouth and sliding over mine.

Mmm, now we both taste like mint…

I lean back on my hands after a few minutes, the need to breathe finally winning out.

Watch his movements as he slide his hands up over my ribs, just under my shirt, then down my arms. His fingers pause briefly on each mark and fading bruise, face intent; eyes following their pattern up and down, across 'til he's mapped every inch of skin I have to offer.

I grab his hands when they pause against my inner thigh, hovering over a particularly angry blue welt still vibrant against the backdrop of my pale complexion.

I lift my fingers to his hair, my voice is quieter then I intend when I finally speak. "Hey, come back to me, don't get lost…it's over."

He shakes his head slowly; maybe not even aware he's doing it.

"I can't stop thinking about it…I don't ever want you to hurt like that, ever…I…." His throat closes around the words, he dips his head. He stands chin tucked to his chest, eyes closed tight one palm pressed over his eyes like he's trying to block it out; hide even from himself…maybe he is…God knows I've tried before without much success.

When he opens his mouth to try again I shush him and kiss him instead because it's okay, I get it.

He lets me be the one to pull away; keeps his hands against my skin 'til I'm leaned far enough away to look at him properly, keep more than just the tip of his nose in focus.

"We should probably go tell the others we're alive; before they send in a search party." And find us like this…he'd absolutely die of embarrassment; not that I wouldn't be right behind him.

"I wanna try going north on this road; it's the wrong direction but If I remember correctly there's a group of buildings a few miles up—I don't even think you can call it a town it's so small… But we might find a serviceable car there to get the kids out."

He's reaching over to the shower stall, grabbing his flannel shirt, checking to see if it's dry and then shaking it to loosen the stiff fabric. He slides it over my shoulders. I grab his wrists to stop him.

"It's going to be cold, you should wear this."

I was able to wash my own shirt yesterday, even though a lot of it is stained from the blood; it's functional enough to wear.

He's shaking his head, fingers deftly closing the top two buttons over my skin. I'd swear a real grin just flashed across his face for a second before he leans into me voice against my ear.

"No, I'd rather everyone know your mine."

Oh God.

Heat flashes through me instantaneously, coloring my cheeks.

My stomach does a complex series of barrel rolls.

From a guy that can't look me in the eye half the time…

Where the hell did that come from…?

I hide my face in his neck, my palms pressed against his chest while I try to take a calming breath in, my voice still shakes, barely louder than a whisper when I answer him.

"For as long as you want me." His hands slide around my waist almost pulling me off the counter.

I barely hear him say it. "Stay forever."

His nose is buried against my neck too, mirroring my posture.

Apparently we can say the words:

Just don't expect us to actually look at each other when we're doing it…

I feel like the room is spinning as it is…Like I might crash to the ground if it wasn't for his arms anchoring me here.

"You're killing me, I don't know which way is up when your near me." I don't mean to say it out loud.

His exhale warms my skin, his words curl heat through my chest.

"Good. I'm glad it's not just me."

He grabs his pants off the shower wall, finds the thick material still too damp to wear and throws them back over the top.

"I'm gonna get dressed, talk to them about the plan."

I nod; still not sure I trust my voice for normal conversation.

He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead for a moment blushes looking at me when he pulls back then gives me a fantastic view of his ass that makes my stomach flip and my cheeks heat when he walks away.

Now that's a View.

Wow.

Notes: I wasn't going to put this up till Spaghetti Tuesday (on Wednesday)

but I need to work on the next chapter! It's turning out to be really tricky!

Send me good vibes people! : P