Hello all. Chapter 8 has arrived after an extra long wait.

I sheepishly come to you now with a new chapter. I am very sorry for my lateness, but I've been rather busy. Summer is here and I hope to have extra time to work on this story and, hopefully, ahead so I won't have to crunch to get a chapter up. Please excuse me.

I would like to thank those who have reviewed chapter 7...mrskaz453, igottoomanyloves, and NRIASB.

Thank you who have favorited and followed my story! Though, I seem to have lost a few of my reviewers last chapter. That is my fault for my lateness!

Please Review!

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead or the characters. They belong to their respectful owners. I only own my OC(s).

Chapter 8

Darkness fell over the prison, the walkers stumbling about outside the fences, growling grotesquely. Inside the dark prison, two bodies laid in a single bunk, limbs twined together. They sat in the darkness, the only light a dim glow of a candle that glimmered against their skin. MaryJane laid against Daryl's chest, a position familiar to the night before. Daryl's nose was buried in her hair. His hand slipped under her tank top, rubbing the skin of her bare hip affectionately. MaryJane enjoyed the menstruations, making it hard to keep herself from losing her train of thought. Her eyes fluttered closed as she hummed in satisfaction.

"Mmm…Daryl?"

A hum deep in his chest grumbled where she could feel it through her tank top.

"Hmm?"

She opened her mouth to speak, trying to ignore his touch.

"Is there something I need to know about Merle?"

Daryl's hand stilled on her body and she felt his body grow rigid under hers.

"Whadaya mean?" He grumbled.

MaryJane shrugged nonchalantly. "Beth just made mention that Merle knew some vital information about the Governor is all. She almost hinted that Merle knew the man personally. I didn't know if that was true or not..." Daryl remained silent and MJ's brow furrowed in worry. "...it's not true, right?"

The tracker's woman waited with a racing heart as she anticipated Daryl's response. His touch seemed to blend into her skin so that his hands felt like they were a part of her own body. Daryl cussed under his breath in a whisper, but she swore she caught Beth's name in the hiss.

"Daryl?"

Daryl bit the inside of his cheek, wondering if it was the best idea to tell her, but ultimately decided it was best since she was going to find out sooner or later. Not to mention it would be best that she heard it from him rather than someone else. Daryl could only imagine MaryJane's reaction...so his decision was made.

"It's true,"

Her gut felt like it had been punched with betrayal. She stiffened and sat up, away from Daryl, setting her feet on the cell floor, turning her hurt and confused eyes to the hunter.

Daryl missed her warmth and felt his own sting of hurt at her retreat from him. He sat up too, copying her position, leaning his elbows on his knees.

"Merle was the Governor's right hand man when he was with 'im."

MaryJane's eyes widened as her thoughts flashed back to the times when, in months before, the Governor had attacked Con's group, nearly killing some of them. She felt betrayal stab in her gut from the thought that Merle might've been one of them, so eager to kill her and her family.

She let out a weak, whispery chuckle of incredulity. "Merle could've been a part of the attacks on our group. He could've killed me and the others without realizing who I was."

If MaryJane thought Daryl was rigid before then she was wrong. His back straightened and his muscles grew tense. Waves of rage rolled off him, his dark blue eyes staring at the candle lit walls with the ice cold realization that she was right. His hands fisted on his knees and the urge to go beat the shit out of his brother became eminent.

"My God!" She gasped as the realization hit her full on, slamming into her chest.

Daryl's sharp eyes darted over to her, seeing the pure, unadulterated fear in her eyes. Instinctively, remembering what he did to calm her in the past, placed a stiff hand on her back and began rubbing circles. He watched as the fear left her eyes and her back arch into his comforting rubs. Seeing such panic towards his brother made him regret what he said. Daryl knew well that he'd changed since that time. He wasn't that man anymore.

"Dontcha ya want tha whole story?" He inquired gravelly.

MaryJane let in a shuddered breath and nodded. "I want to know...I have to know."

He nodded and kept rubbing circles on her back as she gazed at her lap to remember where he left off.

"Well, I guess to really start with where he became a part of the Governor's group I need to tell ya what drove 'im."

Suddenly, MaryJane's thoughts flashed back to when she asked Merle about his arm and he just glanced at Rick and said something along the lines of that it was a long story.

"Does it have to do with Merle's arm?" MaryJane asked quickly.

Daryl's hand stilled on her back for a few moments before resuming its motions. She was always the sharpest and smartest person he knew and somehow, she made that connection.

"Mm-hm," He hummed.

She nodded in return and used her head to gesture for him to continue.

"In Atlanta, Merle was tha typical Merle, makin' fuckin' racist remarks towards our group and finally Rick had 'nough and handcuffed 'im to a pipe on a rooftop. T-Dog, one of group survivors at tha time, had accidentally drop tha keys and Merle thought that was a sign and amputated 'is own arm ta escape. Somehow he survived and rigged 'is blade on 'is arm. After he escaped he was found by someone from Woodbury and he took him there ta meet tha Governor."

MaryJane watched Daryl tell the story and instead of feeling disgust for Merle she felt pity. No one should've had to take off their own arm. The poor man was driven to it. He had no one else, Daryl obviously left him so what choice did he have?

"Sometime after he vanished, he ran inta Glenn and Maggie and kidnapped 'em. He took 'em ta Woodbury as prisoners and started fuckin' beatin' Glenn ta make 'im reveal information 'bout tha prison. He even went so far as ta shove a walker in his face."

MaryJane drew back in horror, her heart leaping at the image that came to her mind.

Daryl moved his hand to wrap his arm around her waist. "Though, Glenn and Maggie didn't tell 'im nothin'. We came ta rescue 'em and I convinced Merle ta come with us. When he did he was branded as a traitor by tha Governor. Rick tried to object ta 'im comin, but after some convincin' he gave. He's been with us ever since. He's had ta earn the trust and respect of e'eryone here and Rick's started ta trust him more recently. Before, though, everyone hated 'im and wanted 'im gone. I basically told 'em that if he went then so did I. They didn't wanna lose me so he got to stay."

MaryJane's eyes drifted from Daryl to the wall, her mind spinning with the new information, her mind telling her to be disgusted with Merle, but her heart told her to understand him and see things through his eyes.

"So...Merle knows how the Governor works. He knows how he plans attacks and orders them out."

Daryl nodded, watching her expressions closely.

"Since that's true, Merle's valuable when it comes to defenses. Has Rick asked about that yet?" MaryJane asked urgently, her whiskey eyes lighting up.

The dark haired man shook his head, his bangs catching slight air at the motion. "Nah, not yet. He don' trust him that much."

MaryJane thought that a rather big contradiction on Rick's part. "Come on! He let Merle train Beth right?"

Daryl stiffened at the mention of it, but he nodded.

"And he's pulled his weight contributing to the group right with runs and watches?"

Another nod. Daryl already knew this, but when his woman got frustrated she needed to vent it before it could build up.

"Obviously Rick trusts him enough to do that vital stuff, why not trust his word about the Governor? You and I both know that Merle's here for you and he's going to fight to make sure you stay safe. Also, because your group is a package deal because I know you care about them and don't want anything to happen to them. What more trust does Rick need?!" MaryJane fumed, glaring at the floor.

Daryl was glad he wasn't the floor at the moment. He'd been the one caught with that glare many times before and it was never nice.

He licked his lips before answering gravely. "Rick's a cop. Ya really think he's gonna trust a guy like Merle, after e'erything he's done in his life and ta Maggie and Glenn?"

Her glare softened and she turned her gaze to Daryl in understanding. Whiskey eyes fell to his chest in consideration then back up to those dark orbs.

"No, he wouldn't," She whispered.

Daryl sighed heavily and MaryJane leaned her head on his shoulder, frowning. Maybe she would trust Merle since she knew him better than the others. Maybe she was biased.

"He's changed though, Merle has. He's mellowed out. I haven't seen him get violent or make any slurs to anyone. That's a sign, right? Maybe he's really changed, but I doubt remorse has made him that way."

Daryl's jaw tensed instinctively. She was so right and she didn't even know it.

"There isn't someone...a woman who's helped make the change is there?" MaryJane inquired innocently, glad for once she wasn't looking him in the eye.

Daryl just shrugged and MaryJane tutted.

"Don't shrug." She reminded and he sighed, a corner of his lips twitching.

"I don' know." Daryl said.

MaryJane doubted that. She decided to throw a few cards out and see what hand he held.

"I was just wondering because I noticed how Beth seems pretty...attentive towards him. And sometimes he to her too." She shrugged carelessly, keeping her tone innocent and unsuspecting.

Though, Daryl Dixon knew her better than that. He knew exactly what she was getting at and he didn't like it, like he didn't like the idea of Beth and Merle.

Deciding to not feed her any fire fuel he just shrugged again. "I think e'eryone's pretty attentive ta Merle, wonderin' when it is he'll turn back to bein' tha asshole they handcuffed on that rooftop."

The dark haired woman pouted a little at the wall upon realizing that he didn't lay out the cards she wanted. He just bypassed everything like politicians did to vital, easy answer question. Even though Daryl didn't seem to be sharp witted, he really was. He was smart and sharp minded and this was one of those times he made it known.

MaryJane one last move before she decided to forfeit her game for the time. "I just hoped that Merle had someone who liked him for who he is and not what he was. I think he deserves someone who loves him and will love him through thick and thin."

For some reason, her words stung Daryl and he felt momentarily guilty for wanting to deny Merle happiness with Beth, but it was momentary. MaryJane lifted her head from his shoulder and yawned. Daryl grinned a little and tugged on her hip. She sent him a tired smile and stood from the bunk to blow the candle out. When the cell was cloaked in darkness she slid into the bunk with him, curling against his chest as he draped the sheet over them.

"Do you think Merle deserves someone, Daryl?" She inquired sleepily.

Daryl remained silent and MaryJane waited, her eyes drooping as exhaustion took over her.

"Daryl?" She whispered.

"Hmm,"

"I think he's happy now...he's...happy..." MaryJane trailed off as sleep claimed her.

Daryl stared into the darkness, the silence beginning to ring in his ears. MaryJane's heavy, light snores told him she was dead asleep. Burying his face in her hair and closing his eyes, he whispered into the darkness, knowing she wouldn't hear him.

"He does...She makes 'im happy…"

Once the sun rose, Daryl and MaryJane woke early to join the others for breakfast which was a more informant affair since Rick and Con discussed with the group the jobs for the day. Daryl would stay back with the group that day and check the defenses in the Tombs and check out other places for security issues. MaryJane offered to help Beth with Judith which made the young woman smile with gratefulness. She also offered to go in between jobs when she was needed to relieve others.

Carol was swamped with help from the new women and the jobs Carol once shouldered were split up between them all. According to Hershel, Charlie's ankle was healing nicely and that, with a crutch, he could walk on his own rather than having to be helped by two people to take a piss.

After breakfast, Merle swept away with Daryl close behind him. MaryJane frowned, knowing he would tell his older brother about their conversation last night. She'd thought it over a lot earlier and decided that she didn't hate and couldn't hate him. He was only doing his job and trying to survive and find Daryl. What he did was justifiable in her eyes. Maggie, Glenn, and the others wouldn't see it that way since they didn't want nor care to understand Merle's motives.

MaryJane followed Beth to Judith's cell where she laid the baby down for her nap. They sat down in the seats they occupied the day before and began chatting about little things, things they missed. In her head, MaryJane was refreshing her plan in her head to solve the mystery of Beth and Merle.

"I think I miss just getting mail. I always walked outside and down my small gravel drive to get my mail. It was such a wonderful walk where I could hear the birds sing and watch the bees buzz about. It was calming and beautiful. Now, just taking a walk is a way to get yourself killed or worse." MaryJane reminisced with nostalgia, feeling a dark cloud of depression come over her at the memory.

Beth smiled gently, understanding completely, feeling her own nostalgia. "I miss strollin' 'round the farm and I miss the horses. I miss watchin' them graze and sometimes kick their heels up and play. I miss that freedom of just watching something beautiful unfold and have no fear of seeing it die. Does that make sense?"

The older woman nodded, crossing a leg over her other. "Yeah, it does. Everything's still beautiful, but there's a dark cloud or film of dust that make the shine dull, dark, and wilted. Do you ever notice how, even when the sun is shining everything looks...ancient and grey like an old movie that was remastered in color?"

Beth nodded, pushing her bangs behind her ear. "Your description about hit the nail on the head. It's like a horror movie where the color tint of the camera is dark and grey. That's exactly how the world looks now. It's pretty scary."

The blonde was internally grateful that there was someone else who understood what she saw. She had taken notice of these things she saw, but if the others did then they didn't say anything. Even her daddy who was usually eager to verbally explain what he saw in the world. Not anymore.

"Though, I do think we all have our personal suns, someone or something that makes the world seem brighter and...more normal. Daryl is mine. He helps me remember that life is still worth fighting for. Con and Katie are the positive ones who try to keep good thoughts going. Then there's Bev and Slim. They're the jokers who make sure that something funny is said to lighten our moods should positive thoughts fail us. You have Glenn and Maggie, two strong people who will fight no matter what. I'm sure you have someone or something that makes your world brighter, right? Like Judith or your daddy?"

MaryJane watched Beth's reactions closely, her whiskey eyes zooming in as her eyes seemed to glaze over in thought. She barely caught the twitch of the ends of her lips that curled upward. The teen quickly returned to earth and nodded.

"Yeah, I think we all have someone." She agreed with a slight slur and a dreamy glint in her eyes.

Hah! First bit of evidence of something towards someone!

Internally, MaryJane rejoiced. Her little speech worked! It was just a little response, but it was worth it!

When lunch time rolled around Judith was up and feeling frisky. She squirmed in both women's arms at the table, earning grins from everyone, including Rick, whose loving expression seemed to withstand everyone else's. Daryl shook his head at the infant's restlessness in MaryJane's arms.

"Why are you all wiggle wormy today, huh, sweet cheeks?" She asked as Judith squirmed, making her arms tighten around her.

Merle smirked at the infant, silently cheering the little ass kicker on. He remembered when Daryl got that way. When Judith began to whine aloud MaryJane began to get a little worried. She'd already been fed and changed, but she was still in the overture for her nap. Seconds later, she was saved when Rick stood and walked over, holding his hands out for his daughter.

"I'll take 'er." He offered.

MaryJane complied, handing the moody infant to her rightful father. Judith calmed instantly, her big eyes staring widely at her father. Rick smiled down at her and began to quietly coo as he walked back to his seat. Daryl watched as MaryJane's expression frowned into a face of longing and envy. She was passionate about children and no one would make a better mom than her. He knew she deserved it, but it was just impossible. If the world wasn't like it was, then yes, he'd give her one, but now...no.

Daryl had decided a long time ago that if she was going to have anyone's child then it would be his. He wouldn't allow her to bear another man's child. It just seemed wrong and perhaps it was selfish of him, but she was all he wanted in life. He admitted that the idea of her carrying his baby was a nice thought, but he wouldn't lose her like Rick lost Lori. If he were to lose her then his world might as well turn to ash.

Bringing himself from such thoughts, he placed a calloused hand over hers from under the table. She sent him a bright smile which sent a shock of pain through his heart. God, she was beautiful. After lunch, they all returned to their jobs and Daryl hesitantly left MaryJane to scour the rest of the prison for weak spots. MaryJane changed Judith and rocked her to sleep, singing her favorite song. Once Judith was in her make-shift crib Beth told her to stretch her legs, assuring her she could handle the sleeping infant. MaryJane found laundry work from Carol to go retrieve and fold the clothes from yesterday. Eager for some sun, she carried the basket out, humming her song to herself.

She tried to ignore the walkers as they growled at her from tens of yards away. Even though they were far away from her they still felt too close. Shaking the chilly feeling off she began unclipping the clothes and folding them, cursing the small breezes here and there that hindered her work.

A few minutes later, Daryl exited the prison, satisfied with his search. The Tombs were still sealed and everything else looked good. As he crossed across the inside of the prison, he'd got word that MaryJane was outside hanging laundry and went to help her. His dark blue eyes found her at the clothes line. A ghostly smile started to spread across his lips when movement from the corner of his eyes made him freeze. His sharp eyes landed on the kid, Jeremy who sat on a crate, sharpening a pocket knife with a rock.

As the boy slid the knife edge against the rock, his eyes were watching MaryJane like a hawk. Daryl's calloused hands curled involuntarily into fists. Who was this kid? Why was he staring at his woman like that? Dark blue eyes darted over to MaryJane and for some reason there was a putting feeling in his gut. When his instincts told him something they were usually right. So...what the fuck was going on?

"Hey, Daryl!"

The experienced tracker turned towards the owner of the voice. Glenn strolled towards him with some excess wire.

"Con and Merle need this on the south end of the prison to patch a place. They need your help."

"Right," Daryl nodded gravelly.

Daryl sent MaryJane and Jeremy one last glance before walking away, pushing aside the bad feelings stirring in his gut.

MaryJane hasn't noticed the man she loved come from the prison for her mind was focused on her work and on trying to block out the walkers that stood hungrily only yards away. She draped the shirt in her hands over the wire and began folding it the way her mother taught her.

"Hey, MaryJane,"

Her heart jumped slightly in fright, but she'd recognize that voice anywhere. She turned her gaze to the young boy, finishing the folding of the shirt and dropping it in the basket before turning to fully face him with a warm smile.

"Hey, Jeremy, what's up? I haven't seen you in a while. I thought you'd just vanished." She joked, earning a crooked grin from him, his trademark.

She grinned cheekily with him and began unclipping another shirt.

He just shrugged. "Just been getting used to the new set up...and letting you be with him."

Her fingers froze in the middle of unclipping the shirt. She but her bottom lip when she heard the hint of pain in the former act it's voice. She knew her separation from him would hurt him since they were so close before and if she were to be honest it hurt her a little too. He listened to her and she to him. She liked to think they formed a solid friendship, but now, she was wondering if she was slowly losing it. The idea made her heart clench.

She missed him, not in the way she missed Daryl, but in a way a friend would miss another friend. She missed the emotional support from him and she missed hearing his chuckle when she told a stupid joke. Though, he was respecting her boundaries, like he promised her the night they kissed.

You have to tell Daryl. The little voice in her head told her.

I know. She replied, feeling a sickening churning in her gut at the idea.

"I've missed you, MJ."

She pulled from her thoughts and smiled weakly at him, patting his arm affectionately.

"I've missed you too, Jeremy." He smiled happily, hope glistening in his hazel eyes.

MaryJane turned back toward her work and fully unclipped the shirt. As if coming to his sense he jumped in and tool the shirt from her.

"Here, let me help."

She tossed him a grateful look and tool a few steps down the line to pull some pants from the line. They worked in silence, both folding and unclipping. Jeremy glanced at her secretly, enjoying this little time with her, being together like they used to be, just the two of them. It gave him hope that it would be like that again someday.

"You know, you don't have to be a stranger, Jeremy. You don't have to avoid me because I'm with Daryl again. I'm still your friend." MaryJane said matter-of-factly.

The young man shrugged. "It's just not the same."

The older woman stopped in the middle of folding one of Merle's tank tops and turned her confused expression towards the kid.

"What do you mean?"

Jeremy stopped his movements of folding as well, his hazel eyes serious, but showing innocence as he tried to avoid her gaze. MaryJane stood, unaware that she was being played.

"Well, I know Daryl's a possessive man from what you've told me. I don't want to cause a rift between you two—"

"Bull pucky!" She cried, cutting him off. "You're my friend and Daryl will just have to understand that. Trust me, my relationship with him will not get in the way of us."

If she only knew how good that sounded. Us.

Jeremy kicked at her ground, biting his lip uncertainly, shooting her curious and worried glances. "What if he doesn't?"

MaryJane sighed heavily. Somehow this conversation sounded vaguely familiar to one in the distant past of her youth.

"He'll understand, Jeremy. He always does."

She gave I'm a confident grin and shot her eyes to her folding while Jeremy stared on at her, the innocence of moments earlier gone.

"Good," He replied with his crooked grin that MaryJane adored.

Ten minutes later they started folding the last shirts, chuckling and giggling as they recalled old jokes from the TV show Welcome Back, Kotter. Jeremy did a pretty good impersonation of Arnold Horshack, his crazy laugh, accent and all.

"Ah, I miss that show a lot. I used to watch reruns every night after school when I taught. John Travolta was actually good looking back then." MaryJane mused nostalgically, grinning fondly.

"Epstein was always my favorite with his excuse notes and smelly locker." Jeremy chuckled, wiping a hysterical tear from his eyes.

MaryJane agreed with a nod and giggle. "Yeah, he was pretty great. I liked them all, especially Mr. Kotter. Boy, what a celebrity crush I had on him!"

Jeremy chuckled and shook his head. This was how it was supposed to be between them. Just the two of them, joking around and even kissing like the one time he kissed her. If only that Dixon didn't exist. When it was all over he wouldn't and she would love Jeremy and only him. When Jeremy lifted his eyes back to her he found her whiskey brown eyes beaming at something behind him. He turned his head and his warm expression darkened, his hazel eyes narrowing at the approaching figure.

MaryJane's lips spread over her teeth in a smile as she saw Daryl walk with his slight swagger towards them, his left arm draping the crossbow over his shoulder. The tracker's eyes landed on Jeremy, the second figure that had been with her and when his eyes registered who it was, his own eyes narrowed. His lips turned down in with a hint of a grimace. His back straightened, his head lifting in the slightest, a signal of the natural male pride and dominance. MaryJane walked a few giddy steps towards him, holding her hand out for his.

He placed his calloused hand in hers, lacing his fingers around hers. His dark blue eyes were trained on Jeremy warningly, seizing him up. The boy held his gaze without fear or intimidation and Daryl couldn't help but feel impressed. That feeling vanished just as quickly as it came. Jeremy puffed his chest in an attempt to appear bigger than what he was. Daryl almost laughed. He was puny and wouldn't stand a chance against the tracker. MaryJane beamed at the both of them, pulling Daryl to a stop before Jeremy who looked ready to burst with anger. Daryl stepped closer to her, almost curling around her short form possessively.

"Daryl, I wanted to formerly introduce you to Jeremy. Jeremy, this is Daryl." She said, gesturing between the two of them happily.

Even though she seemed it, she wasn't oblivious to the tense air between the two men. It was so thick she could cut it with a knife. Daryl's presence was possessive territoriality while Jeremy's was defensive. The two men stared each other down for a few seconds before Jeremy stretched his tense hand out to the older man.

"MaryJane's told me all about you." Jeremy voiced through clenched teeth.

Daryl didn't even break his stone expression as he begrudgedly took his hand and their hands tightened dangerously at the same time.

"Funny, she ain't told me a thing 'bout ya."

Jeremy grinned at that, the smile not reaching his hate filled hazel eyes. He chuckled mirthlessly and Daryl just lifted his cheek to magnify his grimace. At the same time they released their hands and instinctively, they both wiped their hands on their pant leg surreptitiously. MaryJane felt her giddy expression fall from her face at the obvious tension between the two men. She frowned, having hoped that they would get along, but from Daryl's obviously smart remark it wasn't going so well. Her brown eyes narrowed slightly at Daryl in irritation at his remark which Jeremy seemed to shake off. He was good at shaking things off it seemed. MaryJane bit the inside of her cheek to hold herself back from voicing her displeasure with him.

"Well, maybe that'll change." Jeremy offered sardonically.

Daryl didn't even flinch as he answered, his tone final. "Yeah, it will,"

Jeremy knew when he wasn't wanted. He glanced at MaryJane softly, making Daryl stiffen. MaryJane gave him an apologetic frown and Jeremy just smiled assuredly at her. Daryl's eyes narrowed further at the expressions passing over the kid's face. Something felt off, he had a sweetly innocent look and it was sickeningly humorous by how he looked like a kicked puppy. What the hell was he playing at?

The former actor focused on MaryJane, a fond expression on his face, even in his eyes which strangely rattled Daryl.

"I'll see you later, MaryJane," He said, his tone promising.

"Okay, see you." She smiled warmly.

Jeremy tossed Daryl another dark look before walking away, his body relaxed. The tracker didn't turn his head to watch the kid walk away. His blue eyes stared at the place he just stood, suspicion stirring in his gut. MaryJane watched her friend walk away and she turned an accusing glare towards Daryl. With narrowed eyes she punched Daryl's muscular arm hard. His head shot towards her, brow furrowed in confusion.

She hurt herself rather than him and she bit her bottom lip to keep the cry of pain from escaping her mouth. Daryl drew back from her and gave her an angry glare.

"What tha fuck?!" He cussed.

MaryJane grasped her fist, her bones aching. She released a hiss and began flexing her fingers, letting out a relieved sigh as the pain started to subside. Seeing her pain, Daryl's anger evaporated and he stepped towards her, setting his bow down and reached towards her fist with both of his hands.

"Here, lemme see," MaryJane handed her hand to him and his rough fingers began pressing around the bones and muscles.

She winced a few times and after his quick inspection he released it.

"Ya ain't hurt too bad."

The short woman gave him a soft smile before her expression turned fiery.

"What the hell was that, Daryl?" She asked hotly.

Daryl sighed, rolling his eyes. He knew what her problem was and he was starting to feel his own irritation rise.

"Wha'?" He replied.

MaryJane leaned on her right leg, placing her hands on her hips. Daryl knew that stance. He was in for a scolding, but at the moment he wasn't in the mood. That kid rubbed him the wrong way. Why did that make him wrong for making his dislike known?

"You were rude to him, Daryl Dixon." She scolded, her eyes fiery pools of whiskey.

Daryl scoffed, glancing the way the boy had retreated. MaryJane seethed, giving him a look he'd gotten from her years ago. He was used to it, but he didn't deserve that look then. He looked back at her, freezing when he saw that look.

"Wha'?"

MaryJane sighed heavily and softened her look. "What's your problem with him Daryl? It's obvious you do. He was just being nice."

She frowned when he scoffed again. She stepped closer to him, grabbing his hand in a pleading fashion.

"Daryl, please don't scoff, it tells me nothing. Please answer my question."

Daryl gave her a stern expression. "I don' like tha way he looks at ya."

"What?" She chuckled.

The tracker bristled. "I don' like tha way Germy looks at ya."

"Mature, Daryl," She scolded, rolling her eyes at the insult.

He ignored her retort and considered his own self-consciousness. The way the kid looked at her chilled his bones. He looked so fond and, god forbid, loving towards her. Why he looked that way made Daryl question everything, even MaryJane. He didn't want it to be true, but he just had to know.

"You an' 'im...ya'll weren't never..." He trailed off, not having any strength to continue further for his gut felt like it was punched at the mere idea of her being with another man, let alone that sleaze.

MaryJane stared at him in minor insult, but kept her voice calm, seeing the worry in his eyes. "No, I made sure he knew about you. My reason for staying alive was to find you, Daryl. Nothing else mattered.

Daryl nodded, but his next question almost made her think he hadn't even heard her response at all.

"But ya'll never did nothin' right?"

Her heart swelled at the sound of his uncertain and pained tone of jealously. It made her feel giddy inside, but there was no reason for him to be jealous. Though, she had to be honest with him when it came to her friendship with Jeremy.

"He listened to me. I could talk to him about my feelings...I could talk to him like I could talk to you, but I never felt anything for him other than friendship." She assured firmly, gripping his hand tightly.

Daryl glanced down at their joined hands before looking back down into her eyes, stepping closer to her, his face tilted towards hers.

"From the way he looks at ya now I think he's possessive of ya."

MaryJane could scoff at the idea, but she didn't because Daryl might not appreciate it at the moment.

"He can get over it. He knows it's always been you."

"Don' seem that way." Daryl replied gravelly.

The tracker's woman bit her lip. "Don't trust me?"

Daryl gave her a knowing look and lowered his face to hers, pressing his lips possessively against hers. MaryJane kissed him back, placing her hand on his neck, her thumb rubbing his jawline fondly. Their lips meshed together, knowing each other. Moments later their kiss ended and Daryl pressed his forehead against hers.

"Ya know I trust ya." Daryl promised in his deep voice.

MaryJane smiled and closed her eyes. Daryl stared at her face, his gut stirring in an alerting way when he thought of that kid.

It's 'im I don' trust.

There we have it. In character? More of a filler chapter, but necessary. Now there's inklings of doubt in Daryl, but are his suspicions justifiable? Will MaryJane tell him soon or will Jeremy beat her to it?

Again, I apologize for my lateness. I've started my summer break, but I will be busy. I'm going to Florida with my best friend for a few weeks, but I will be working on this fanfiction and others.

More to come soon. Please review! I love feedback!

Happy Writing!