I watched him stomp out of the bedroom. This was getting annoying. I couldn't get him to touch me. We hadn't had sex since the night before Daryl left to scope out the hospital. It had been five days since he had gotten back from Woodbury. He was healing well, and my headache was gone and my balance was completely better. There was no reason for it. And it wasn't just the lack of sex. He was back to being grumpy and quiet. I was so frustrated with the situation I wanted to scream.

This morning I had woken up as he was starting to get out of bed. I grabbed him and pulled him back. "Where do you think you're going?" I said and started kissing his neck.

"Stella, I have to get up. I have to go hunting." His voice was impatient.

"In a few minutes," I murmured, my hand slipping under the sheet. I trailed my fingers down his abdomen. He grabbed my wrist and pulled my arm up.

"I said I have to go. Jesus." Daryl jumped out of bed and yanked on his jeans. He didn't even put his shirt or boots on. He just grabbed his stuff and stormed out.

I sighed and laid back on the pillows. I had no idea what changed. The first night after he was back was great. He was so funny about the way he helped me get undressed and then he was so sweet. The next night he was really quiet, and when we got into bed he turned on his side away from me. When I wrapped my arm around him he got really tense. It was had been obvious he didn't want me to touch him.

Well I wasn't just going to sit here. I got up and threw on my clothes. When I was passing by the cell blocks Daryl came out, pulling on his shirt. He paused and we just looked at each other.

"Daryl, we have to talk," I started.

"About what?" He started walking outside.

I followed him. "Well, about what's going on. Something has changed. You barely speak to me, and when you do it's only because you can't avoid it. You won't touch me and you won't let me touch you."

"Well if my baby brother isn't up to the job, I'd be more than happy to help out." Merle said from behind me.

I could have screamed. "Merle, do you mind? Can you just go be somewhere else for a few minutes?" I snapped. Turning back I said, "Daryl, you just have to talk to me. Let me know what you're thinking."

Merle walked around me and ruffled Daryl's hair. "Daryl don't think. Do ya? Come on, we're wasting daylight."

Daryl looked at me with hard eyes. "I have to go." He turned and walked after Merle. I turned around and stoked up the fire. I was utterly confused.

I was just starting to cook breakfast when Allen came out. He rubbed his eyes and sat down hard in one of the chairs. "Want some tea?" I asked. "It's nowhere as good as coffee, but at least it's hot."

"Yeah, that'd be great." Allen watched as I poured some from the kettle.

"How are you settling in? Are you having any problems with anything?"

"No, no. Everyone's been great and I have to say it's the best sleep I've had in a while. It's great not snapping awake with every little noise." Allen took a sip from his mug. "This is really good."

"Thanks, Maggie and Glenn collected the leaves. So I take it you're not planning on trying to take over the prison anymore." I sat down and looked at him.

His face went white. "I.. What?" he tried to put on a look of indignation. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Allen, don't. I was outside the cell block one night when I first got back from Woodbury. I heard you all talking. Took me a while to remember it. I could have said something to Rick, but I didn't. If I had, you would be out of this prison so fast with nothing but the clothes on your back. Fact is, I get it. Nice safe place to hold up, and you don't know us. Of course you would want it for yourself. I just hope that now that you're here and you're staying, you realize that this is the best for everyone. Not everyone out there is a good person. But the people here are. You four would never be able to hold this prison against what's going to come. Just get the thought out of your head, okay?" I stood up and went back to cooking.

Allen cleared his throat. "So you're not going to tell anyone that we were talking about it?"

I looked over at him. "Do I have a reason to?"

He looked ashamed. "No. No you don't."

"Good. Why don't you grab the plates from inside. This is almost done and everyone will be out soon."

The day was a productive one. The field had been finished the day before and all the seedlings were put in the ground by midday. The last of the preparations in case of an attack from Woodbury were completed. Glenn and Axel had put their car thief skills to good use. They were able to line the whole inside fence with cars.

Rick had explained why he wanted it done. "They won't be able just to ram the fence and break it down. It'll also give us cover if they try to come in through the fields. We've got every door to this section of the prison locked off. I think that's all we can do."

When they parked the last car the guys were all thrilled. Lori and I watched as they all slapped each other on the backs. "What is it with men? Do they not realize they didn't do anything but drive a car?" She asked.

I pulled another sheet off the clothes line. "You are so asking the wrong person. I can't get Daryl to even talk to me these last few days. It's driving me nuts."

"I noticed something was going on with you two. Did something happen?"

"No and that's the problem. Nothing happened. We woke up and he was like he always was, and then by the time we went to bed it was like he couldn't even stand to look at me."

"And he hasn't said anything?" I gave her a look. "Right, never mind. Forgot we were talking about Daryl."

"You know, the more I try, the worse it gets. Any time I try to... you know, he freezes up. This morning, he bolted from the bed like someone had stuck him with a cattle prod."

Lori started to laugh. "I'm sorry. It's not funny. Except it is."

"Shut up Lori." I said smiling.

"Well, it's Daryl. Maybe he just needs some time. He typically takes a real long time to warm up to someone. He's not exactly Mr. Congeniality you know. With you it was different. He was so tuned into you from the start. Maybe he's just having a hard time dealing with everything."

"Yeah, maybe. But that doesn't mean I like it."

Lori stopped folding for a minute and turned to face me. "Stella, you have to understand that Daryl, well he's been different since you got here. There's the obvious things like the fact that he showers every day, but there's little things too. He's more patient and kind. He listens better. You didn't know him before, but you've changed him. And Daryl doesn't like change. You're just going to have to be patient with him.

"Lori, I am trying. I've been so nice, and nothing."

"Well, if trying to be nice to him doesn't work, try something else."

I was thinking over what she had said when Daryl and Merle came back. They had managed to catch a boar.

"Ohh, if someone knows how to get bacon from that thing, I'll do their laundry for the rest of their lives." Lori moaned.

I looked over at her and started to laugh. "Honey, I hate to break it to you, but you're already doing everyone's laundry."

The day had been hot and it was still warm, so after my shower I decided to put on a pretty sundress. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to show Daryl what he was missing. As I placed the brush on the bookcase I saw the iPod and dock. Acting on a whim I brought it out to the cooking area.

"Thought we could have some music while we make dinner," I said to the other women there. "Sasha, is there anything you like in particular?"

She looked over at the speakers in my hand. "Are you kidding? I haven't heard any music in forever. I'll listen to anything."

"Okay then. Shuffle it is." I hit play and music filled the air.

Cooking had never been so much fun. Between the boar, the different plants Maggie had found, and a can or two from the kitchen supply, we were preparing a feast. Everyone deserved it for working so hard.

After dinner we were just settling in around the fire when 'At Last' by Etta James came on. Rick walked over to Lori and pulled her up. "Think I can have this dance?" he asked as he gave her a twirl. When it was over everyone clapped. The next song was a 80's pop song. Beth sprung up, pulling Maggie with her. And the party began.

I laughed and looked over towards Daryl. He was leaning back staring off into space. I thought about what Lori had said that day and I decided that I was going to ignore him and just have a little fun. I pushed myself up and joined the others.

Many songs later I was dancing with Carol when a salsa song came on. "Oh, I can't dance to this. I have to rest anyway," she said sitting down.

Tyreese, who was sitting next to Carol stood up. "I can salsa. I'm pretty good at it." He held out his hand.

Laughing I placed my hand in his. "Alright, let's see what you got."

Tyreese wasn't kidding. He was an excellent dancer and a strong partner. He had rhythm and imagination. He twirled me, turned me, and dipped me. When the song was over everyone started clapping. "Impressive," I said to him. I was trying to catch my breath.

"You're not too bad yourself. How'd a northern girl like you learn to salsa?"

"Oh God, I don't know. Picked it up a little here and there. Spent a lot of vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico I guess." I was so hot from dancing. "I think I need to go grab some water."

"You know what? I'll come with you."

As we walked over I asked, "What about you? How'd you learn?"

"The same way every self-respecting man does. I took lessons." At my look he continued. "I had just started playing football, and every time we went to Miami we'd go to the salsa clubs. The women there were smokin' hot. Just about all the other guys could dance so, I decided to learn. Didn't want to be the creepy guy standing on the sidelines going duh, duh, duh." Tyreese put his hand in his pocket and bobbed his head up and down.

"So you learned how to dance. Here," I handed him a glass. "Did you get any of the girls?"

"Not for longer than a night," he joked.

As Tyreese and I talked, I saw Daryl slip away and walk towards the guard tower. I wanted to go after him, but if he wanted space, I'd give it to him.

The party began to break up and I headed into bed. I slipped under the covers and tried to get to sleep. But the big open space in the bed kept me up. Finally I gave up. I threw on clothes and headed outside. As I got closer I could see him up by the railing looking out over the fence. I'd had it. We were going to talk.

He must have heard me coming but he was still in the same position when I got to the top. "So what is it?" I demanded.

He turned and looked at me. "What do you mean?" His whole body was stiff. I could tell he was angry about something.

"Don't give me that crap. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You've been a complete ass the last few days. You won't talk to me, won't look at me, forget about even touching me. What is it? I mean you want to get away from me so badly, you didn't even stay for the party."

"Well why the fuck should I stay? So I can watch some guy put his hands all over you? Grind up on you? Sorry baby. That's not my cup of tea," His voice was angry.

I fired right back at him. "What are you taking about? Me dancing with Tyreese? It's a salsa dance, it's supposed to be a little naughty. We weren't sneaking off somewhere. Besides, I didn't see you standing in line to dance with me. Do you realize you hadn't said a single word to me since you left this morning? This is not about how I was dancing."

Daryl began to stalk around the room. "Well maybe it's just not working out for me."

I felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. I couldn't believe he just said that. As I watched him walk around I realized that I just didn't believe him. "Then say it. Be a man Daryl, say you don't want to be with me. Say it straight out."

He walked right over to me. "Fine. I don't want to be with you."

"Tell me why."

"What?" He moved away and resumed his pacing.

"Tell me why. At least tell me that. You don't care about me? The sex is no good? Why? It's a simple question Daryl. You should be able to answer it." I became impatient as I waited for him to answer. "Come on Daryl. You shouldn't have to think about what to say."

Daryl remained quiet. I wasn't getting anywhere with this. I ran through all the things I knew about him. There was something. He was so protective, maybe I could use it against him. It might work, but it could also backfire. I decided to push it.

"You know what. Fine. If you don't want me around, if it is so hard to be around me that you can't even have a conversation with me, I'll leave the group." His head swiveled towards me. "I was on my own before. I can do it again. I'll go pack up." I held my breath as I moved to head down the stairs.

"Don't." he said quietly. He sat down heavily on the side of the desk. "Don't leave."

I moved over to stand in front of him. "Then tell me what is going on."

"When everything first happened with us I thought it all really wouldn't matter. That in this world, it wouldn't matter." I started to speak but he stopped me. "When you look at Merle, what do you see?"

"Merle? What does he have anything to do with this?" I was surprised at where this had gone.

"Stella, please."

I looked at him before I answered. "Honestly, you're brother is a real piece of work. He makes me uncomfortable. I don't like him."

"See. Don't you get it Stella? I'm just like Merle. We grew up in the same house, we had the same parents. Merle probably raised me more than my father did." Daryl ran his hand through his hair. "I'm who I am today because of Merle."

I stepped in closer. "Daryl. You are who you are today in spite of Merle, not because of him. You are a really good man Daryl Dixon. You are loyal and kind and unselfish. I wish you saw more of what everyone else sees in you."

"But Merle-" I cut him off.

"Merle doesn't have anything to do with us. I don't have to like your brother to want to be with you. And I do want to be with you. Despite everything that is going on in this world, some of the happiest moments I've had have been here. With you. Now, if you decide that you don't want to be with me because I don't make you happy, then fine. I won't like it, but I'll respect it. Now, I'm heading back in, and if you do want to be with me, I suggest you go clean up and then come climb back into bed with me.

I walked back into our room alone. I pulled my clothes back off and climbed into bed. I waited to hear the sounds of his footsteps outside. Gertie climbed into bed next to me. I petted her head to stay calm. What if he wasn't coming?

Twenty minutes later, the door opened and he walked in. He was carrying all his things and his clothes. He just had a towel wrapped around his hips. He dumped everything in the chair and walked over to the bed. "Move Gertie. That's my spot." I smiled up at him as he pulled off his towel and climbed in next to me.

Some time later Daryl looked over at me. "Would you really have left?"

I thought about it for a moment before I answered. "If you really didn't want me here, if it hurt you to have me here, I'd leave. But Daryl, you can't just stop talking to me whenever you're upset about something. The last few days I had no idea what was going on. It really upset me."

He sighed looking at the ceiling. "I know. I'm just no good at this."

"Good at what? Being with me?" Daryl nodded. "Honey, when you're not upset about something, you are very good at this." I gave him a kiss. "You just have to figure out how to tell me something's wrong."

"I just get these thoughts in my head and at first it seems stupid to bring it up because it is a stupid thing. But then I just keep blowing it up till it's this thing that I can't let go of."

"Okay, well is there anything else that was bothering you besides Merle?"

Daryl blew out a breath. "I wasn't lying when I said I didn't like watching you dance with him. I thought I was going to punch him. I know it's the way the dance works but I didn't like it. Didn't help to have Merle sitting next to me saying things."

Part of me wanted to ask what Merle said, but I thought better of it. "Do you think you would have gotten so upset if there wasn't something going on already?"

He thought about it for a second. "Probably not," he smiled slightly. "For the most part watching you dance was... enjoyable."

"Oh, you liked that? Well how about this. I won't salsa with anyone else, as long you'll dance with me." Anticipating his answer I began to nibble on his ear.

He let out a light moan. "Don't dance."

"Really?" My mouth moved to his neck. "At all?"

"Nope, never have." His body rolled on top of mine. His mouth pressed against the hollow of my neck.

"But I love to dance, and if you don't want me dancing with some else, that means you're going to have to do it."

"You can dance with Hershel," His mouth moved to my breast, drawing my nipple into his mouth.

"Daryl, Hershel only has one leg."

"I know" he said as he moved to my stomach. "That's why it's perfect. Won't get too randy."

I began to laugh but stopped as his mouth found that sensitive spot right by the hipbone. I put the conversation on hold as he lowered his head between my thighs. His tongue tasting and exploring. I moaned. My hands threaded into his hair, pressing him closer. As small cry escaped my lips as I came.

Daryl slid up my body and his mouth came down on mine. I could taste myself on his lips. I wrapped my legs around his hips as he entered me slowly. "God you feel so good," He murmured in my ear. He set an easy rhythm, his mouth covering mine. His hand slid down my side and gripping my thigh he hitched my leg up higher on his hip. My body arched as he pressed deeper. He moaned, his breath hot in my ear and I rode the waves all the way till the finish.

He stayed where he was for a moment. "Stella? You can dance with anyone as long as you promise you'll be here with me at the end of the night." he kissed me lightly on the neck.

I moved so I could see his face. "I promise." He pressed his lips against my temple then rolled over, pulling me with him so I was pressed up against his side. I laid there for a moment then propped myself up so I could see him.

I looked down into his blue eyes and smiled. His answering smile was reassurance. "Daryl Dixon, I do believe you've made me fall in love with you, and in record time too." Ignoring his shocked expression I brushed my lips against his, then laid my head back down on his shoulder. I didn't want or need him to say it back. I knew he wasn't ready to. Fact was, I didn't know if he ever would be. But I was. And I needed him to hear it. He wasn't going to be getting rid of me so easily.