Hello all. Chapter 9 has arrived.

Here is chapter 9, on time this time. I am happy with this chapter and I have good news. I have a whole plan for this story written out on paper, a bullet list for what is going to happen in every chapter. I've estimated that there should be at least 21 or 22 chapters in all. Ye Gods!

I would like to thank those who have reviewed chapter 8...mrskaz453, The Reading Dead, 0netflixme0, texasbelle91, igottoomanyloves, ifrickinlovenarwals, NRIASB and thewalkingdestroyer.

Thank you who have favorited and followed my story!

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 9

The cell was dark like the rest of the night cloaked prison, both of the residents were glad for the new night of rest. If someone passed by they could hear a quiet tune from a song long written before and played. A classic song everyone knew, yet now it sounded spooky in the empty prison, echoing like a ghost's whisper. Inside the cell, one listened to his companion's humming. The familiar tune dredged fond memories from the depths of his mind, causing him closed his eyes in the darkness and wrap his arms tighter around the woman lying in front of him, her back against his chest. His well-tuned ears soaked in her humming like it was a sweet lullaby from a mother. Her voice echoed against the walls, giving it a haunting sound. He always enjoyed listening to her humming since it had become a source of comfort for him in his youth. He would gladly listen to her for the rest of his days as long as it was her who hummed that tune.

Daryl kept his eyes closed, remembering when she'd first told him it was her favorite song, and then the time where he'd tried playing it for her in the back of his pick-up truck. Her smile was the thing he remembered the most. That smile lit his world on fire and he was glad he did something to bring it to life for him. He listened until the song ended and the cell was draped in silence. Daryl inhaled her freshly showered scent, her hair still damp from the cold water.

"I missed that." He murmured against her hair in his deep, gravelly voice.

MaryJane hummed in some form of response, half-asleep. Her hands twitching reflexively on his arms.

"G'Night, MaryJane," He whispered.

The small woman in his arms replied with a smothered, tired voice. "You too, love."

Love. That had been one of the few names she called him and every time she called him that his heart felt like it had been jump started by hot wire. It was a big shock to his whole body, leaving behind a strange aching in his chest. She called him "love", but she also told him that she loved him and Daryl took her nickname as a reminder that she used to say that to him. He knew she loved him and he felt bizarrely empty without hearing those words from her. He missed hearing that someone loved him and wasn't afraid to say they did. Her love was something he clung to with desperation. To lose it would destroy him.

His current mindset had been a result of the day's earlier encounter with that kid Jeremy. It shouldn't bother him, he knew, but his gut had been disturbed since and he even felt sick at dinner. Jeremy had moved a few chairs closer, taking a seat by Beth. Daryl had felt his brother stiffen beside him, like a gun about ready to go off with the slightest movement. The younger Dixon had shot his brother a quick glance and he saw an expression Merle wore often, but the underlings had a different meaning. He was worried about Beth, wanting to protect her from someone he thought as dangerous. It surprised Daryl since the only thing Merle seemed interested in protecting was him, his little brother. To have that protectiveness aimed towards someone else was strange and almost relieving for him. He didn't need his brother's protection. Daryl was just as strong as his older brother was.

The kid had made small talk with Beth and Carl, asking them about little pointless things that made the Dixon brothers roll their eyes. MaryJane was attentive towards the microscopic conversation, adding in her own opinions or thoughts here and there. All of this time her hand was interlaced with Daryl's. Finally, the conversation ended when Merle made a smart ass remark towards Jeremy. Both Dixons caught the stare the kid gave Merle. It was a dark warning, like he knew your every deepest and darkest secrets. He just grinned at Merle and took the hint.

If Daryl and Merle were paranoid men, they'd think that there was something close to truth behind the kid's gaze. When Jeremy finished his dinner he left the table to their delight and MaryJane's disappointment. Beth risked a glance at Merle, giving him one of the most uncomfortable looks he'd ever seen. That expression in her big blue eyes made him just want to reach over the table and pull her close. Something like that, for Daryl, was rather out of character for his brother, but hell, stranger things have happened.

Maybe Daryl was being paranoid and maybe he was judging too quickly before all the facts were in. He'd been known to do that before and it never ended well. Then again, maybe there was some truth to his suspicions. What if there was more to the kid than MaryJane or anyone else knew? Daryl pondered the idea and eventually gave himself the preludes to a headache. If the boy was a deceiver than he hid it well. However, the question was, what was his game? The hunter decided to make it his job to find out. He would watch, like he always did, and just gather the evidence he needed before jumping off half-cocked. He knew the way to get his "evidence" was to let Jeremy alone with his woman. The idea made the Dixon protectiveness rush through his veins. It was a necessary sacrifice he'd have to make if he was to unravel what the hell was going on

The troubled hunter finally fell asleep after he finished his plan, his only comfort the woman in his arms, the woman he would die for.

As Daryl promised himself, he let MaryJane alone with the kid. He made excuses about helping his brother or Rick with something and MaryJane agreed, understanding that they couldn't be together all the time. In hearing her say that, it made Daryl uncomfortable with his plan. What if their being separated because of group obligation that it would end up pushing her away from him? His plan would backfire then and he might up killing the kid himself.

Though, throughout the next few days he watched them, she was never fully alone since they tracker was hidden in the shadows or behind objects that made him invisible to them. He was good at being silent and from afar, but his job was not easy. Just seeing her smile at that creepy gave him enough desire to throw him to the walkers outside the fence. According to Merle, that didn't sound like a bad idea.

Daryl watched the kid, his facial expressions and movements. He didn't know what he was really looking for, but he figured he would know when he saw it. As the days passed Daryl was coming up empty with evidence. The kid looked just cordial with her, like two friends talking. Was Daryl being too obvious? Did the kid know he was there, watching them? He eventually shook his head at the idea, Daryl knew how to cover his tracks and remain unseen. Maybe he really was paranoid. However, on the third day, Jeremy did something that caught Daryl's eye. Even though it could've been taken as a friendly gesture between friends, Daryl saw it differently. MaryJane and Jeremy were sitting on a few crates by the prison wall, the shade of the roof blocking the sunlight. The boy had placed his hand on top of hers, rubbing his thumb against the top of her hand in the slightest. That was something Daryl couldn't miss. That motion made his eyes narrow, the darkening depths shooting towards the kid's face for his expression.

The little son'ova bitch. He snarled in his head.

Those deceptive hazel eyes gazed at MaryJane with strong adoration, an adoration that went beyond friends. He looked pleased as punch, but that satisfied grin faded when MaryJane removed her hand from under his, her face curling in slight discomfort and shame. Daryl couldn't hear what they said, but from what he could tell Jeremy had made a wrong move in doing that. He had shut off their conversation like someone flicking a light switch.

As Daryl studied MaryJane's expression his gut churned uneasily. Why did she look so shameful and uncomfortable? Was his touch that off-putting? The tracker had the strangest feeling that it wasn't from just crossing a friendship line and that made his gut pit. Was she not telling him something?

No, she wouldn't lie ta me. She's never lied ta me and never would. Daryl chastised mentally.

True, but there's still time to start. A suspicious voice mocked in his head.

Shut tha fuck up! I know 'er! She wouldn't hide somethin' like that from me! He argued, his jaw clenching as Jeremy sat back and tossed MaryJane a regretful, but offended glance.

Wouldn't she? She's changed. She's not the same girl you know all those years ago. There's no guarantee that she hasn't picked up on the habit of lying. It said again, sparkling anger in Daryl.

No! Shut tha fuck up, I said! He yelled internally. She couldn't do that ta me! She wouldn't!

The voice gave, but it planted a seed of doubt within Daryl, one he would try and refuse to feed.

Keep telling yourself that, Dixon, but one day you'll see I was right. You'll see that you don't know her as well as you think you do. You can never truly know the person who shares your bed.

The last sentence chilled Daryl's bones, but he quickly shook it away. He was confident, one-hundred and ten percent, that MaryJane was always honest with him, especially about the boy. Daryl pushed aside any aspirations that the voice had been right in any way. She wouldn't hide a thing from him, even if it were something life altering. Besides, if she was hiding something, why couldn't she tell him? She knew she was tell him anything. He was her best friend for a reason and their being lovers and a couple didn't change that. Didn't she trust him?

Yeah, she does.

Having that realization furthered his confidence that it was all one-sided on Jeremy's side. Though, he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted from the kid, who seemed more than what he really was.

And that was a chilling thought.

MaryJane walked towards Judith's cell, scratching the back of her hand on her jeans. The place she rubbed was the place where Jeremy's hand touched hers. Her hand burned, but not in that romantic melting way, but in a way that made her feel like she'd pressed her hand against a hot stove. His touch wasn't repulsing, it just felt all wrong. She liked talking to him because he couldn't understand things that Daryl couldn't at times. Though, any physical contact from him caused a dangerous reaction. Her skin crawled and Daryl always popped into her mind, reminding her of the secret she kept from him.

She had withdrew her hand from Jeremy's touch, not wanting any reminders of the night they shared a kiss. It had been a mistake and now, anything physical with the young man just reminded her of Daryl and how it would hurt him. Sure, it was just a kiss, but Daryl was an emotionally fragile person, even if he didn't want to admit it. Any little thing to disrupt could overturn many things she'd built up with him. All she knew was that she belonged to Daryl, always had and always would until they both took their last breaths. So, when Jeremy touched her, her body and nerves rejected it like it were poison. In a way, perhaps it was.

As MaryJane walked down the lone hallway, she froze in mid-step and the sudden realization that fell on her like a ton of bricks.

I lied to him. I lied to Daryl.

The whiskey eyes woman inhaled sharply, feeling as if someone had punched the air from her chest. Her eyes widened and she bit down violently on her bottom lip.

I lied to him.

When he had asked her if she and Jeremy had done anything she'd down right lied. She started to make the excuses in her head that her thoughts had gone to sex and that was something she hadn't done with anyone but Daryl. She hadn't considered that Daryl also included kissing. You figured a straight A, valedictorian of her class would assume something that like, but no.

Maybe I'm not as smart as what I think I am. She frowned, resuming her steps towards the cell.

She'd have to tell Daryl soon. As much as she dreaded it she knew it had to be done. She wouldn't allow him to label her a liar from forgetting to mention the kiss. MaryJane was well aware how he'd react and she began to mentally brace herself for it. Though it wasn't a big deal to her, it didn't mean anything and at the time she'd been hallucinating and thought Jeremy was Daryl. Besides, Jeremy had kissed her willingly instead of trying to stop her and pull her back to reality. So, she wasn't all to blame.

As she thought of it she frowned deeper. Saying anything about Jeremy like that to Daryl would only further the tracker's dislike for the boy and MaryJane didn't want that. How could she work around it? With each step she took she thought of new ideas, but as a solution came about she realized it would only end in disaster. She'd have to tell it as it was. Hopefully, God would give her the strength to stop Daryl from going into a rage and beating the shit out of Jeremy. Having such thoughts made a sour taste fill her mouth. She could only imagine the horror of the time when it came.

She didn't think that she'd have the strength nor power to stop Daryl from doing anything he would regret later. MaryJane's body shivered at the ominous images that popped into her mind. Quickly shaking off the chill she turned into Judith's cell to see her sitting up in her make-shift crib, giving Beth a gummy grin at something she did. MaryJane smiled at the adorable scene, her heart filling with warmth, the frightened ice melting away. Judith's big eyes turned towards MaryJane and she let out a weak cry of delight which she sent a shock of surprise and joy through the older woman. She went immediately to the infant, scooping her from her crib and pulling her against her chest.

Beth smiled warmly at the scene, seeing what a wonderful mother her older companion would make. MaryJane began singing her song to Judith, rocking her feet as Judith began playing with a few strands of hair that fell over MaryJane's shoulder. Beth began to quietly clean the practically spotless cell, giving the baby and MaryJane a little moment of privacy. Once the song ended Judith was making a gentle cooing sounds, like she was trying to mimic the tune MaryJane sang.

"Once you grow older, little one, you'll be able to sing like a bird in the spring. You'll be your own song bird. I know you'll have the prettiest voice in the world." MaryJane voiced sweetly as Judith began tugging playfully on her hair, her mouth opening with a man toothless grin.

The teenage blonde girl stood beside Judith's crib, glad to see the infant appeased with the whiskey eyed beauty. She's been getting squirmy as of late and Beth was the baby had distractions to wear herself out.

"She really liked you, MJ." Beth commented softly a few feet away.

The older woman smiled fondly at the baby, that familiar longing returning to her belly.

"I'm glad she does. If I can't have my own child I might as well put my one-hundred and ten percent towards her to give her the most stable motherly relationship that I can. All of us women should. I'm just glad she's here to remind me that life's still positive and bright. She's one last dose of innocence and purity in this world, something I don't want to see tarnished in any way." She lifted her eyes to Beth's. "We've got to be there for her. She's got to have everything we couldn't."

Beth averted her eyes, placing a hand on the back of her neck sheepishly. "I know…I jus' don' think I'm that selfless yet."

MaryJane gave the younger woman an understanding smile. "I don't think we're ever selfless enough. We just know what we want and when it happens…you know you're ready, selfless or not."

That made Beth feel a little better, but she shrugged it off. "I don' think I'll ever be a good man. I don' wanna bring a child inta this world anyhow. It ain't fair ta Judith and it ain't gonna be fair ta any other baby."

As Beth had spoken MaryJane took her words to heart and it caused the lump of rushing blood and muscle to fall in her ribcage at the weight of the truth of the young woman's words. She was right. It wasn't fair to a baby, a dependent child who would have to grow up in the cruelties of the world that was plagued by the walking dead. She thought in growing up an economically desolate world was wearisome enough, no, this new world took the cake for everything. The Great Depression looked like a minor hiccup after drinking a whole liter of soda in mere minutes.

Beth was right. How was it fair to a child to have to grow up in this kind of world? A world where running and killing were the only options for survival. It wasn't fair and it isn't fair for MaryJane to long for a child when she saw for herself the unintended consequences. That dream of having her own baby would have to remain as that, a dream. What a wonderful dream it was and if the world as different then she would be more than ready to carry his child. But alas, some dreams must remain as dreams.

MaryJane broke from her reverie when she caught movement at the door from the corner of her eye. Her lips spread into a grin when she saw Merle standing there, looking awkward as his eyes landed on her. She tilted her head.

"Hey, Merle, what's up?"

His icy blue eyes flickered to Beth momentarily, his gaze softening in the slightest. MaryJane averted her eyes to Judith, hoping that Merle wouldn't see that she caught the glance. She counted a few seconds before looking back up at Merle who was gazing at her.

"I was wonderin' if ya had some time." He said uncomfortably.

"What for?" She asked innocently.

Beth bit her lip. She knew what Merle wanted and even though she was uncomfortable with it she would allow it since she trusted both Merle and MaryJane. The older blade hand man shifted on his feet, his jaw clenching, like he was having trouble saying something. It was quite surprising since MaryJane had never seen the elder Dixon look so…flustered.

"I jus'…I jus' need…I need some advice." He admitted tightly, his eyes on her sharply.

MaryJane nodded, smiling gleefully at him. "Okay."

She handed Judith off to Beth and MaryJane had to try and ignore the infant's moans of disappointment. Beth took her, having to shush the child as she began to cry at being taken away from MaryJane. The older woman kissed the baby's head which seemed to quell her for a short time. She thanked Beth before leaving the cell with Merle. He gave her a look that told her to follow him and not say a word until he said so. The short woman followed him quietly and he stopped in his personal cell, pulling the curtain across the cell entrance for privacy. MaryJane gave Merle a smirk that could rival one of his famous ones.

"Should I be worried? You've wanted me alone so feverishly. I'd say that Daryl might be a little jealous." She teased.

Merle smirked with her and plopped down on his bunk carelessly. MaryJane pulled the chair to sit across from him. Eagerly, she waited for him to break the silence that claimed the space between them. She watched as he shifted on the bunk, his eyes remaining everywhere but her. MaryJane titled her again, hoping to catch his icy eyes.

"Merle? What's up? Are you okay?" She asked, her gut churning uneasily.

Merle's blue eyes flickered to her before landing on the floor at her feet.

"Remember when ya told me if I needed ta talk ta anyone then I could come ta ya?" He asked, his leg bouncing as if he were nervous.

She nodded, leaning forward in her chair. "Yeah,"

Merle gazed around the room, grimacing as his jaw clenched as he tried to fight himself as he tried to voice his own thoughts.

"Well, I fuckin' need ya now." He snapped sourly.

There's the Merle I know. MaryJane grinned inwardly.

"Okay…" She smiled. "What do you want to talk about?"

Merle hesitated, his bladed hand twitching in the slightest. MaryJane frowned at his puroposeful silence and decided she would be the one who had to start the conversation.

"Is it about Daryl?"

"Nah," He shook his head.

"Me?"

Another shake of the head.

"Is it about someone I know?"

Merle's eyes landed on hers, chilling her soul. His eyes remained on her as she swallowed.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'. I won't ask since you probably won't tell me, but what's the problem? Is something wrong with this person between the two of you?" MaryJane inquired, her excitement about this starting to boil in her veins.

The older Dixon shook his head. "Nah…ain't nothin' wrong…couldn't be fuckin' better." A slow grin spread across his face as his eyes seemed to fall into some trance from the past.

MaryJane bit back a smirk and pretended to remain oblivious. "So, if it's all good then what's wrong? Why do you want to talk to me?"

The former military soldier just shrugged. "Can't jus' fuckin' talk 'bout shit?"

The five foot two woman just scowled at him. "We can, but you've never been one for idle chit-chat."

Merle shot her a sharp look and she shrugged innocently. "What? Unless you like idle chit-chat now."

His eyes averted from her and he just shrugged again. "I don' fuckin' like it, but I can tolerate it now."

MaryJane's eyebrows shot up fast, fading into her hairline. "I think hell has frozen over once again. You, the might Merle Dixon, can tolerate idle chit-chat. What, pray tell, has caused this change? Is it this someone we're speaking about?"

From Merle's reaction, MaryJane had her answer. Her whiskey eyes widened a fraction and a wide smile spread across her face.

"It is, isn't it? This person has softened you enough to where you can listen to her chit-chat like every other woman."

"She has not!" Merle snapped quickly, giving her an annoyed growl.

She let out a gleeful laugh and pointed at him. "Ah-ha! So it is a 'she'!"

The older man scowled and stood, pacing from the cell door to the other end, striding past her.

MaryJane spoke softly, being careful of the lion-like man. "Well, Merle, I can't say that I blame you for wanting a companion. If anyone here is deserving of it, you are."

Merle's pace slowed slightly as he listened to her. "Whydaya think that?"

She chuckled. "Come on, Merle, you may act like a heartless bastard, but you aren't. You're human just like the rest of us. Despite what you may think, you need human companionship just as much as the next person. I have no problem in you finding someone, especially a woman, to confide in."

MaryJane watched as Merle paced back and forth, but when she said her last sentence he froze in mid-step.

"Ya don' think I'm too big of an asshole ta 'ave someone?" He inquired as he resumed his pacing.

Whiskey eyes appraised him sadly. "Of course not. I adore you like you're my real, blood brother. You don't have to worry about me…it's the others you might have to worry about."

A scoff was her response and she frowned. "They can all go fuck 'emselves. Daryl can too since he's got his dick up Officer Friendly's ass."

MaryJane stood, hands curling into fists, her face growing red with the outrage that shot up in her. Merle stopped and faced her, his eyebrows raising in amusement at the short woman's sudden burst of anger.

"Now! See here, Merle Dixon! I will not have you saying such a thing about Rick and Daryl! Oh! The nerve of you!" She cried, stomping her foot in a childish way.

Merle released a deep, amused chuckle which only fueled her anger. She opened her mouth to retort with some not-so friendly language when Merle placed his hand on the top of her head, ruffling her hair in his brotherly fashion.

"Calm tha fuck down there, firecracker!"

She scowled at him and jerked her head from under his hand, slapping his hand away irritably.

"Take it back!" She ordered firmly.

Merle rolled his eyes. "A'ight! A'ight! I take fuckin' it back! Damn! Ya get more fuckin' wound up than a fuckin' bobcat in a goddamned pickle barrel!"

MaryJane stuck her finger up to chastise him when what he said finally sunk it, taking her off guard and rendering her speechless. She lowered her finger and furrowed her brows, giving him a look of wide eyed realization.

"You did that on purpose." She accused, glowering at him and his attempt to render her dumbstruck.

He gave her a lazy grin and sat back down on his bunk. MaryJane let out a heavy breath and sat down next to him, eyeing his bladed hand. She frowned at the appendage.

"Daryl told me how that happened." She mused, gesturing to the blade and he glanced down at it as well. "I'm sorry…you didn't deserve that."

Merle shrugged, but MaryJane felt the suppressed fury within him. "Can't take it back."

MaryJane just stared at it. "I know…but it's not fair to you. You can't helping being who you are…they had no right."

"Eh, don' matter no more…besides…I grown rather fond of Merle Junior." He joked, lifting his arm to admire it proudly.

She sniggered next to him. "Merle Junior?"

"Yeah," He grinned. "I've grown quiet fond o' tha little bastard."

"Does it hurt at times…your arm?" She asked softly, the stress lines in between her eyes making themselves known.

Merle, not being used to in depth conversations with anyone, almost withdrew from her, but he remembered that this was MaryJane. She would understand and actually care about what he said. Despite being naturally wary of people like her, he knew he wanted to answer, to tell her things. At the mention of his arm hurting the nub under the appendage twitched.

"Sometimes, when I sit and think 'bout it, it does. It twitches, like my damned fingers are still there." He murmured in a rather trodden tone.

She nodded, biting her bottom lip sadly. "I'm sorry,"

He just shrugged off the apology like it were dust on his shoulder. "It don' matter no more. I'm livin' jus' fine with it. Can't do a lotta things I used ta do, but I make do."

"And I think you do it well…I think it suits you." MaryJane offered confidently, placing her hand on the cold metal of the appendage.

Merle watched as her fingers studied the welding lines and leather straps. He swore to God that if he didn't have Beth and Daryl didn't love her the way he did then Merle would want MaryJane as his. She was just so caring and understanding, especially to an asshole like him. Then again, she always liked the broken ones, the people who were like broken glass or a broken mirror. She wanted to put them back together again and make them better, or at least partially whole.

"Does uh, she like it? Your arm?" MaryJane asked innocently.

Merle shrugged for the hundredth time. "She accepts it…I guess she likes it. She ain't really said."

MaryJane smiled as she thought of Beth. "I think she likes it. At least she will grow to like it."

Icy blue eyes sent her a masked grateful look. "Maybe,"

Silence fell between them, a companionable silence that could only exist between friends and surrogate siblings. MaryJane didn't know how much time passed between them before she spoke again.

"How do you feel for this woman? Do you care for her?" She asked, making light conversation, hoping to ensnare a confession from him about caring for someone.

Merle remained silent for a few moments and MaryJane lost hope that he would answer. She got up to leave him in peace and wrapped her fingers around the material of the curtain to pull it back when he responded with a weak, tentative voice. She nearly didn't hear him, but somehow she did.

"Yeah, I do,"

MaryJane turned back around, an astounded, but giddy expression on her face. To Merle's surprise, MaryJane made a mad dash across the room and threw herself into Merle's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. He grunted in response and sat there, stunned, letting her hug him. The short woman practically squeezed Merle to death in her excitement. Usually, she wouldn't get so excited about hearing someone care for another, but with Merle it made her joy shoot through the roof.

Something so small like that needed positive reinforcement to let him know that letting his emotions out was okay and that it was a good thing. She hoped hugging him and verbally speaking to him was encouragement for him. Maybe he can strengthen his relationship with Beth or his secret "woman". Moments later she pulled back, beaming down at him.

"Wha' in ta hell was that fer?" He asked confusedly.

MaryJane just shrugged. "Because you're a good man."

Merle rolled his eyes as MaryJane straightened up and turned away. She yelped when Merle reached out and smacked her butt. She clutched her offended backside and gave him a look of mock offense. He smirked at her.

"Still a good man?" He asked cheekily.

She stuck her tongue out at him and he leered at her seductively.

"Yep, still are." She shot back giving him a mirror cheeky image.

"Yer a fuckin' saint, MJ." He grinned, shaking his head incredulously.

MaryJane sat down next to him again and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If you need me, if you want to talk…just come and get me, okay. Maybe you'll tell me more about the secret woman you're hiding." She winked jokingly at him.

He rolled his eyes and MaryJane bumped the front of her head with the side of his affectionately. He'd repeat it over and over again. He'd take MJ in a heartbeat if Beth didn't exist and Daryl didn't love her. Merle made a gagging sound as she leaned against his side and began nudging her away from him jokingly.

"A'ight, a'ight! 'Nough of this sweet shit! Yer makin' me melt, MJ." He half-joked, shoving her shoulder playfully.

"Okay, okay," She surrendered and stood, walking towards the door. "I'll see you later okay?"

He nodded then shot her a cheeky grin. "Get tha fuck outta 'ere, Juliet."

She winked at him and mock saluted him. "Yes, sir,"

With that she pulled the curtain back and made a melodramatic exit which left Merle chuckled in her wake. MaryJane hummed as she walked back to Judith's cell to find her sound asleep and Judith reading in an old book. Beth looked up upon her entrance and smiled at her.

"Oh, Daryl was here a few minutes ago lookin' fer ya. He wanted ta check in on ya." She informed.

MaryJane frowned, disappointed that she missed him. "Oh…"

Beth grinned at her and put a finger in the book to mark her place. "Ya can go find 'im if ya want to. She'll sleep fer a few hours."

The older woman gave her a grateful smile and turned to exit, but Beth's tentative voice stopped her.

"Is Merle okay? I mean…is somethin' wrong with 'im?"

MaryJane turned back towards the teenage girl to see Beth expose all her feelings to Beth. She was worried, jealous, possessive, sad, and resentful. Beth was an open book, she wore her heart on her sleeve even if she would deny it. MaryJane gave Beth an assuring look.

"No, he's fine, he just needed an old friend."

"What 'bout?" Beth asked quickly, something akin to fear flashing across her face.

MaryJane pitied the girl at the moment. She'd felt that fear once before as well. She wanted to tell her what was said, but she knew what was said between her and Merle was mutually confidential. She wouldn't betray his trust like that unless he asked it of her. The older woman wanted to assure Beth, but she didn't want the blonde to catch wind of MaryJane's suspecting of anything.

"Just…old times." MaryJane answered, smiling warmly at her.

If Beth didn't believe her then she didn't say anything. The blonde just nodded and offered her a smile. MaryJane cast one last glance at her and Judith before leaving. Beth frowned and returned to her book, jealously raging in her blood.

MaryJane checked Daryl's cell and he wasn't there. Frowning, she decided to head deeper into the prison, into the famously named Tombs. The cells underneath were vacant, covered in dust and dried blood. The sight made her shiver, but she walked on, gazing momentarily at the places that she'd seen Daryl and the others patched up. It got darker the further she went and once she ascended into darkness she turned back around and decided to walk back into the main part of the prison and inquire after Daryl to someone rather than searching herself.

She reached the light and glanced in the cell to her left. She stopped, swearing she saw something move when all of a sudden something wrapped around her arm. She didn't get the chance to scream for a hand slapped across her mouth, pulling her into the dim cell to her right. Her back was slammed up against the wall, a long, muscular body pressing flush against hers. She began to struggle against the person who surprised her. The hands held her tight, leaving her unable to fight the person off.

"Ya shouldn't go anywhere ya don' know 'bout alone, especially in tha Tombs."

MaryJane's body went limp, her arms relaxing upon hearing the familiar, deep and gravelly voice of the man she loved. Her eyes flickered up to his, his hand falling from her mouth. She gazed wide eyed up at him. All of a sudden, she laid a punch to his chest, earning a grunt from him.

"You scared the freaking crap out of me!" She seethed.

Daryl just gave her a look with a hint of amusement and a corner of his lips twitched.

"If I's sorry then I'd apologize, but I ain't sorry." He replied deeply.

She narrowed her eyes at his playful cheekiness. "Yeah, sure, okay,"

"Besides—" Daryl added. "—ya really don' need ta venture down 'ere alone."

MaryJane rubbed the place she punched him apologetically, frowning in remorse. "You're right, it was foolish of me…I was just looking for you and I got curious."

"Mmm," He hummed deep in his chest, making MaryJane shiver.

The shiver sparked the dangerous fire of desire in her and he looked more than handsome with his bangs falling into his face, his dark blue eyes hooded as they gazed down at her. The fire rose in her, making her skin tingle from the contact of his body against hers.

"Well," She mused sensually. "How can I thank you for saving me from uncertain demise, Romeo?"

Daryl scowled slightly at his despised nickname, but the message behind it was something Daryl had missed. His body had missed it too. MaryJane gazed up at him with an expression he'd seen before. Something good had always ended for both of them. Now, not having her for the months they were apart made his own longing desire burn in his blood. MaryJane lifted onto her tiptoes and wrapped an arm around his neck.

"I think I can think of a way to thank you."

With that, she brought his mouth down to hers, their eyes closing. The moment their lips touched, Daryl lost all sense of control or resolve of reality around them. He kissed her deeper, their tongues dancing deliciously, his body pressing tighter against hers, wanting to feel her lean curves against him. MaryJane wrapped her free arm around his back, to press his lower body into hers, her own lower section wanting to feel the sweet friction they used to spark together. Daryl buried a hand in her hair, pulling her mouth closer to his and causing him to tilt his head to gain better access. His other hand gripped her hip tightly.

MaryJane spread her legs as Daryl pressed one in between her own, keeping her pinned against the wall. She subjected to him, her insides melting, her desire coursing through her veins like molten lava. Her skin prickled pleasurably as she felt the tent of his desire in his pants press against her abdomen. She moaned against him, making Daryl's muscles twitch at the sound. MaryJane pulled back for air moments later, but Daryl wasn't ready to stop kissing her. He pressed his lips to her neck, his facial hair tickling her sensitive neck.

With hooded eyes she lifted her head and titled it to the side to allow him more access to her neck. Her hands clung to him desperately, wanting to feel his bare skin against hers. Her core ached with a dull throb, an itch that needed to be scratched. Daryl inhaled her scent, kissing the skin of her neck, reveling in her like a parched man drinking water. He pressed himself further into her, rewarding him with another one of her deep, throaty moans of pleasure. His own arousal perked further, making it uncomfortable for him to stand.

Daryl wanted to have her again and he knew he wouldn't be able to wait much longer. He wanted her very much, but good things come to those who wait…patiently. The tracker was well aware that it wasn't the best of time to think about anything but survival, but he was a man with needs and he had a woman who would equally and willingly quell those needs along with her own. The situation with Jeremy didn't help him anymore since the kid was obviously attracted to her in ways that Daryl knew her.

He wanted to engrave himself in MaryJane's mind, make her think of no other, not even her friend the Germ and apparently the kid didn't know what boundaries were. When a woman belonged to a man she belonged to that man and no other. Soon, he decided. Soon he'd claim her again.

The tracker pulled back for air, resting his forehead against hers, their personal affectionate gesture to one another. He knew their relationship would be spontaneous like it always would, with lack of foreplay. They never needed foreplay, just looking at her made his insides tighten. It wouldn't be any different in the future and he knew he didn't need to ask since she was like putty in his arms.

Daryl pulled from his thoughts and pressed his mouth against hers again, possessively claiming her mouth with feverish desire. MaryJane kissed him back, closing her eyes as she reveled in his kiss and taste. From the outside they looked like secret lovers hiding their secret relationship from the world. To them, it was a reminder that life was still good and that the impossible was still possible.

From the darkness of the Tombs, a pair of eyes watched them with loathing fury.

Another chapter done, another to write. In character again? Will MaryJane take her own advice? Will Daryl feed the seed of doubt in him?

Summer break is going good and my birthday is three days away. I was delighted to see that X-Men: Days of Future's Past comes out on my birthday so, God-willing, I will be going to see it on opening night. I cross my fingers.

I am eager to write more of this story and speaking of writing, I have a poll up on my profile concerning what story to write after Blackbird Song is completed. So, please pop on over to my profile and take the poll. I would enjoy hearing what you would like me to write amongst my choices. I have many ideas concerning them all, but your opinion would be great!

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

Happy Writing!