Chapter 17

-Come see me when you're better-

She was finally allowed out of the infirmary that afternoon and she headed straight to the showers. There she washed off the smell of sick and sweat. She emerged feeling a thousand times better.

When she reached the kitchen dinner was in full swing. Apparently it had been Glenn and Maggie's turn to cook and they had thrown a party in the barracks.

There were plenty of people to hug and many "Welcome backs" from her fort family. Even some of the newer members came forward. Daryl was absent. She had not seen him since he brought her breakfast in the morning. She was wondered if she'd embarrassed him off by being so forward.

But he didn't seem embarrassed, she thought. No, he seemed interested.

Michael called her over to where he and Joel were sitting. When she sat next to him, Michael hugged her fiercely. "No more winter swims ok?" He said. "And I'm sorry I flipped out on Daryl. I was being an overprotective dick."

"You flipped out on Daryl?"

"I'm guessing she wasn't awake for that." Joel said. "Loverboy has since apologized and made nice with Daryl."

"I've got a way to make it up to you." Michael pulled out a brush. "Turn around, I'll brush out that mop you call hair."

Archer sat with her back to Michael and let him brush out the knots. Michael knew she loved having her hair brushed and he always worked out all the knots without pulling on her scalp. She chatted with Joel while Michael worked, and soon he declared her hair respectable.

"Now don't go braiding it back up and getting it all kinky." Michael warned. "Leave it long."

"Since when do you care about how I wear my hair?"

Michael and Joel exchanged a glance.

"What?"

"Well," Michael started. "Rick's group is staying, so Daryl's staying."

"So?"

Joel chuckled "Loverboy is trying to say that it's about time you got laid."

She blushed.

Michael nodded "I noticed he likes to run his fingers through your hair. It's easier to do when its down."

"You noticed this when?"

"When you were out of your mind with fever." Michael smiled. "It was quite sweet."

"Besides," Joel added "He's pretty hot."

"Oh God." She hid her face in her hands.

"Don't tell me you haven't thought about it." Joel teased.

"He likes you." Michael stated. "I've been talking with the others from his group and he seems like a stand-up guy."

"I know." She said. "It's just…"

"Most guys are pretty psyched about that, you know." Joel said.

"If it really worries you, don't tell him." Michael stated.

"He'll know." She blushed.

Michael shrugged. "Yeah but by then it won't matter."

"He's not on watch this evening." Joel offered. "I put a box of condoms under your pillow for your convenience."

"Oh. My. God." She was sure her face was scarlet now.

"Here's hoping." Her friends clinked cups, downed what was left of their drinks and stood to leave.

"Have fun." Joel smiled wickedly.

"Doctor's orders?" Michael asked, innocently.

"Indeed."

}.{

She headed back to her room before the party died down and lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Sleep was not coming to her. True to his word, Joel had left the condoms with a little note describing how to use one.

"Cheeky bastard." She muttered. He had included diagrams.

She weighed the pros and cons in her head, deciding finally to find Daryl and see what would happen.

She could see a light coming through the Gatehouse window as she walked across the quad. She didn't bother knocking on the door, she just walked it. Daryl was sitting at a desk and working on some arrows by lamplight. He glanced at her before turning back to his work.

"You weren't at dinner." She said, closing the door behind herself and peeling off her winter coat.

"Not much for parties."

"I thought you might be avoiding me." She kicked off her winter boots and set them by the door.

"Why?"

"Was I too forward? Did I embarrass you?"

He didn't say anything.

She crossed the room to stand beside him. "You made some pretty serious claims." She set the condom she'd brought with her on the desk in front of him.

"I did." Without looking up, he moved the arrow he was working on into a drawer.

"I'm thinking I'd like to see for myself."

Wordlessly, he stood and blew out the lantern. He carried it to the door and hung it on a hook. He turned around to face her, pulling her into his arms. "Yeah."

With that he stared kissing her.

These were not gentle or chaste kisses. He dove into her with lust and urgency, making her breathless. He had her sweater off before she managed to undo his belt. He pulled the cup of her bra down to expose a nipple, which he licked and nipped at while his other hand pulled her pants down around her ankles as he backed her up to the desk he had been working on.

She could feel his need pressing against her as he reached down with both hands and grabbed her ass. There was something so primal about it. Her body responded to him like a cat in heat. He hooked his fingers in her panties and dragged them down her thighs. His mouth moved on to her other breast, suckling her. She arched her body against his.

He grabbed her buttocks again, this time lifting her onto the desk.

He went back to kissing her, and trailed tongue along her jawbone. She could feel his breath in her ear as his stubble tickled her neck. Reaching down, he slid a finger inside of her and circled her opening, rubbing her clit with his thumb.

She was surprised at how slick with desire she was. He leaned against her, forcing her to brace herself on the desk. Wanting more, she spread her legs widely for him. She moaned his name when she bucked into his hand as her orgasm hit, eliciting a satisfied chuckle from Daryl.

While she tried to catch her breath, he ripped the condom open with his teeth, his eyes boring in to hers.

She could feel the rough wood of the desk rub her backside as he pulled her onto him. Archer gasped as he ploughed into her with his length. She put her head back again so he wouldn't see her wince as her body expanded to his size.

"Fuck you're tight." He said. He buried a hand in her hair and titled her head back down. "Look at me."

She looked into his eyes and nodded.

Satisfied that she'd obey, he started to move in and out of her, slowly at first, but he gained speed. The way he tore into her was painful, but it was also pleasurable. Emma wanted more, she wrapped her legs around him.

Daryl grabbed her ass again with his free hand, she was sure to have a bruise there later. With each hard thrust she heard the desk knocking against the wall. When at last he came they were both breathing hard. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he sagged into her chest.

"You were right." She sighed when her breath normalized. "Not forgettable."

"A man's gotta live up to his word." He stood up, reaching down he picked up her shirt and passed it to her. "Nice bra."

She chuckled and tucked herself back into her bra before pulling her shirt back over her head. "Glad you approve."

"I do." He smiled.

She hopped off the desk and stumbled into Daryl. He caught her. "You okay?" He asked, steadying her.

"I think so. Just tired I guess."

He nodded. "Still weak. Ya need sleep."

Sleep sounded really good to her right now. She nodded and reached down for her pants.

Daryl grabbed her hand and brought it up to his shoulder. He shook his head, wrapping his arms around her as he walked her backwards to his bed. "Stay here." He commanded pushed her onto the bed. "I want ya here when I get off watch."