Authors Note - This chapter is moreso about Sam/Daryl's relationship growing, with a cute moments here and there.
I hope you all enjoy it and please review!

Chapter 12

The past two weeks had passed rather quickly and so far Sam and Daryl had managed to keep their relationship a secret. Sure it hadn't been easy and Sam had nearly slipped up a few times by going to hold his hand but Daryl would flinch away just in time. It bothered Sam that they couldn't be "official" but she knew Daryl had insecurities from his upbringing which didn't allow him to show affection towards others but surprisingly in private, he was sweet and loving. They had spent the nights together in his tent, snuggling in bed and just before the sun rose, Sam would sneak off back into her tent.

Sam turned and turned in her sleep, flashes of what had happened with Dave going through her mind. First off all, seeing all the women and children huddled together in that warehouse who were being used as sexual slaves. Then flashes of Dave taking Sam into his room... then BAM! Daryl and the boys fighting against Dave's men and numerous Walkers... Sam running with her sister... Dave's gun going off and her sister's lifeless body laid on the ground.

"LISA!"

Sam awoke in a sweat, sat up in bed with Daryl next to her "You a'ight?" He asked groggily, wiping his eyes.
Sam caught her breath and then shrugged her shoulder "Just a nightmare..." She replied as if it was nothing. Daryl watched her curiously, as if he was thinking rather deeply... waiting for Sam to say more but she didn't.
Sam laid back down next to him, and nuzzled closer with her face leaning against his neck and her arm over his chest. Sam felt calmer as she concentrated on the soothing beat of Daryl's heart, and began tracing her finger across his chest. He breathed in loudly as the touch of her cold hand made him jump and she giggled.
"Who's this tattoo for?" She asked him. Daryl glanced down to the name, and gritted his teeth "Don't tell me it's a ex girlfriend?" She teased him, but when he didn't laugh back, she knew it was more than that. She sat back up, waiting for an answer as he got up out of bed and pulled some dark blue jeans.
"It's my Mum..." he answered with no emotion "She died when I was young."
Sam didn't expect that. Daryl hadn't have really talked about his life before the world turned to shit and all she really knew was that he had a brother named Merle and knew this must have been a huge step for him to come out and tell her.
As he stood with his leather jacket in his hands, trying to fling the dirt from it, Sam came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his back, to thank him for telling her. Daryl swiftly turned around to face her, acting as if it wasn't a big deal.
"What bout your tattoo huh?" he asked, looking to her shoulder blade which read the words 'What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger'.
Sam smirked "Well I got it as soon as I turned 18... I used to live by that saying... and now... "She paused as if it was the funniest thing in the world now "It's kind of ironic because we run from the dead everyday".

Later on that morning, Sam watched from afar as she helped the women with the chores at Daryl and the other men discussing options for food.
God, he's so sexy
Sam smiled to herself, completely oblivious to Maggie's conversation "Earth to Sam?" Maggie said shaking her hand in front of her face.
Sam finally took her eyes away from Daryl and could feel her face turning red
Sorry, errrr what were you saying?"
Maggie then informed Sam that she had asked about what music she had sung with in her band when Carl popped up
"You're a singer?" he asked eagerly "Used to be" Sam corrected him, grinning down at him as he passed her a peg for the clothes line
"What do you mean you used to be?" he asked with a confused look upon his face. Sam exchanged a look with Maggie, she had filled her in on the whole Dave situation where they were in a band together and that's how they began dating.
"I miss music"
Claire's high pitched voice stunned them, and they turned to the little 5 year old girl who was sitting behind them, playing with an old Barbie Beth had given her. Sam knelt down, smiling lightly at the little blonde girl who peered back up at her
"Maybe I'll sing for you one day..." Sam said to make the little girl feel better but deep down inside, Sam never wanted to sing ever again. Claire's face lit up when she saw from behind Sam, Daryl, Rick and Shane were all heading back to camp.
"Shane!" She squealed, chucking the toy on the ground and skipped over to Shane who bent down and messed up the little girl's hair.

Claire had gotten close to Shane over the past few days... he was good with Carl Sam gathered and now he seemed to be getting along with Claire and her older brother who were finally coming out of their shell because they were no longer afraid. Shane told Claire to go play with Carl and her brother while he went on watch and put his hands on his hips as she did what she was told and ran off towards the barn.
Shane glanced over at Sam and nodded once at her with a sly grin. Since he had confronted her about Daryl in the kitchen, he had kept his distance from her but she could feel his eyes on her all the time, she was wondering what he was up to.
Sam ignored Shane, and walked over to where Daryl was by himself in the RV
"What are ya grinnin' at?" he asked as Sam walked up the few steps and just continued to smile and poked his chest
"You" She said and he made a face as if she were crazy "You just don't know how sexy you are... even covered in mud and dirt..." Sam added while she wiped some dirt from his face which was rather to close to his eye. He half smirked, she knew he wasn't at all used to flattery. Sam intertwined her hand with his and quickly pecked him on the lips.
"What are ya doin?" he said, jerking away from her hold and looked to see if anyone had seen them. Sam sighed with annoyance but backed off keeping Daryl's wishes about their relationship quiet, even though she hated it, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

That afternoon, Daryl and Sam had gone down to the swamp area and told the others he was teaching her how to track.
As they made their way down the steep rocks, it soon dawned on Sam that Daryl was taking this seriously, whereas she just wanted to escape the eyes of everyone else and have him all to herself. Once Sam had thought they were having a break, she sat down on a rock grabbing her canteen for a drink of water
"What are ya doin?" Daryl asked rhetorically. Sam held up the canteen again and took another sip, as if it were obvious.
"We can't stop now, we're right on this trail..." he drew the last part when Sam playfully frowned, and pouted. Daryl sighed as he moved his cross bow over his back, and walked towards her. Sam grinned widely when he stood between her legs in defeat.
"Finally, we get some alone time..." She said standing up again and their lips met, slowly at first then more passionate.

A branch or twig snapped and both their heads looked in the direction it had come from, Sam hands still wrapped around Daryls neck while his hands were still around her waist. They parted slowly, trying to make least sound as possible, Daryl bringing his cross bow to his hand while Sam took the knife he had given her from her back pocket.
"A walker?" she whispered to Daryl but he didn't respond as he scanned the area surrounding them as the noises of the twigs and branches snapping got louder. Daryl held his cross bow up in front of him, ready to take out anything that came at them. Daryl signalled that he was going to see where the noise had come from while Sam stayed back at the rock. Daryl had been gone for no less than 5 minutes and Sam decided to place her knife down to her side and as she turned around, she came face to face with a skinny walker, so skinny you could see its rib cage. Sam let out a yelp automatically and staggered back over the rock, dropping her knife.
"SAM!" Daryl's voice echoed and she saw him in the distance, running towards her. HE was too focused on her to realise a Walker was coming at him from the side
"NEXT TO YOU!" Sam yelled back at him but the Walker had gotten to him first, tackling him to the ground and Daryl lost his cross bow.
The skinny walker was closing in on Sam and she shrilled, getting up from the ground and pushed it away from her. Sam heard Daryl grunting from the distance, trying to get the Walker off him. Everything was in slow motion and she didn't know hi wot had gotten to her hand but somehow Sam had managed to pick up the knife and drive it into the skinny walkers skull. There was no time to praise herself, so Sam stuck the knife back out of the skull, ready to run to Daryl but when she turned, he was already back on his feet, retrieving his arrow from the Walkers head which was at his feet.
He smiled reassuringly back at her as she wiped the Walkers blood from the knife, putting back into her pocket as he walked back to her.
"I can't leave ya alone for one minute aye..." he teased as she rolled her eyes, taking one step towards him but suddenly Sam lost her footing and fell down a small ditch.

"Ow" Sam whimpered as Daryl helped her to her feet, eyeing her off "Trippin' over ya own feet..." he tutted her and she playfully hit him and stepped forward but her weight gave way but Daryl caught her in time.
Sam swore under her breath, looking down at her right ankle "I think I've twisted it..." she guessed. Daryl threw his cross bow over his back and without warning, he lifted Sam under her legs and began baby carrying her.
"What are ya doing? Put me down!" She hit his chest and was swinging her legs. Daryl ignored her request, making his way back up to the farm
"Ya can't even walk on ya ankle, just stop being dramatic... I leave ya alone for 5 minutes and look what happens to ya..."
Sam huffed but gave in, putting an arm around his neck so she was more comfortable.

Sam sat out in the camp fire with her leg rested on a leg with some ice around her ankle as the sun began to set. Daryl had gone back into the swamp to keep on tracking the trail they had found earlier, but he had now been gone for 2 hours and Sam was beginning to get worried. Carol and Lori were sitting with the kids, reading a book while Maggie and Glenn were on watch on top of the RV. Shane had come out of nowhere and sat himself down next to Sam.
"What do you want?" She asked him, taking the ice off her ankle and winced at the pain. Shane laughed to himself
"Something funny?" Sam retorted and he nodded "You think that Dixon is such a great man, but look what happens when you go off with him?"
Sam shook her head
"This isn't his fault... I'm too clumsy..." Sam defended him. Shane moved in closer so no one else could hear them.
"You said he's more of a man than me..." Shane paused, staring into Sams eyes "That ain't true..." He said as he ran his fingers up the leg that was elevated but Sam hit them away
"Don't touch me" she gritted through her teeth, and stood up too quick and her ankle gave way again.
Shane helped her up and she shoved him away "You will realise that I am the better man for you... you will come back to me..." .

"He should have been back by now"
Maggie patted Sams back softly, trying to keep her calm as they stood in the lounge room of the farm house.
"Dad says you shouldn't be on your feet, you need to rest your ankle..." Sam ignored Maggie and continued to stare outside the window, waiting to see his body outline in the distance.
"I know bout you and Daryl..." Maggie said which finally got Sam's attention making her look away from the window for the first time in the past hour. Sam went to protest but Maggie held her hand up
"Don't even bother denying it, I ain't stupid" Maggie grinned. Sam felt half relieved that someone now knew about their relationship, she could now talk to Maggie about it and before she could stop, Sam was pouring her heart out.
"I don't know what to do Maggie... I'm not the type of person who can keep things bottled up, unlike him... I don't know if it's a trust thing or..." Sam paused, dreading what she was about to say "Maybe he just doesn't care about me, the way I care about him..."
Maggie shook her head
"No way Sam. I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching... it's clear he cares about you. I don't know much about Daryl but from what I do know... he obviously didn't come from the best family...His upbringing didn't seem to be the best and I just think he doesn't really know how to deal with these situations..."

Sam felt the tears forming in her eyes and wiped them embarrassingly and Maggie hugged her "Just give him time" she whispered.
They broke apart from their hug when they heard Daryl's name being called. Sam hobbled her way to the front door and saw him striding towards the house, dragging a dead animal carcass behind him.
"Sam!" Maggie yelled after her, as she attempted to run down the steps but fell at the bottom. Rick, Shane, Carl and Andrea had met him half way and ball turned to see Sam fall. Maggie ran to her side and pulled her up, but all Sam wanted to do was get to Daryl. She jolted towards him, ignoring the excruciating pain throbbing in her ankle.
Daryl started to walk forward as her she collided into his chest, her arms thrown around his neck. For a second Sam had thought they were alone but pulled back as soon as she realised the others were watching but instead, Daryl wrapped his arms around her waist and held her there. Sam stared up into his brilliant blue eyes and her hand came up to the side of his face
"Every bodies watching..." she whispered.
"They can watch..." He replied back. Daryl didn't care at that moment. He had been out in that swamp on that dam trial and thought he wouldn't get back. Their embrace ended and Sam saw Maggie at the steps now with Glenn, smiling at her. Shane turned and walked away towards the farm house, he couldn't stand the sight.

"What are ya doin' runnin on that ankle anyway?" He grunted and Sam laughed. He was back and even though he had only been gone for a few hours, she had felt lost without him. This was a milestone for Daryl, he had finally shown some sort of affection for Sam in front of the rest of the group... Maybe he was finally starting to let her in.

Next time -

Maggie and Sam decide to organise a fun night at the Farm house but while getting ready for the event,
something happens to Sam, which she thought would never happen...

As the evening gets underway, Maggie urges Sam tell Daryl and by the end of the night,
their relationship could either be stronger or over.

What is it that Sam tells Daryl?

To be continued...

Authors Note - Did you all enjoy the cute moments Sam & Daryl shared? what one was your favourite?

Please review!

What do you think is going to happen?!

Should Shane try something again with Sam? and a fight erupt between him and Daryl?!

Let me know what you think should happen/will!

Feedback/Ideas would be fantastic!