This Chapter contains descriptions of child abuse. Nothing graphic just some background info on the OC.
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Jameson was being a creeper. Daryl fell asleep next to her and she couldn't stop staring at him. She knew she should stop because if he woke up he would see her wide creepy googly eyes staring at him and run, run far away. She rolled over to face the ceiling to stop her bizarre addiction of tracing every line of his handsome face. When he slept, all the ever-present worry lines that he wore while awake were gone. He looked so young.
'Wait how old is he?' she asked herself while looking at the rising sun peek through the thin fabric over her window.
'Tonight on: Things You Should Know Before You Sleep With Someone.' She held in a loud snort and then thought, 'God I crack myself up...Ya and the first step is admitting you have a problem.'
Jameson had a habit of having full on conversations to herself. It started as a distraction for when she was hiding as a little kid. Johnnie would tell her to hide and she would have to stay until he came to get her. He told her not to come out unless he got her. She would talk to herself to block out what she heard outside.
Her nightmare was a memory of those times when she was hiding in the tiny closet that housed the furnace. There was a tiny one-foot by one-foot space behind the big metal unit that she would crouch in. If anyone opened the door they wouldn't see her. In the dream she was curled up in there listening to her dad yell and smash things in the living room. She didn't know what was left to smash since he did it so often. She could hear her mom crying and Johnnie taunting their dad. He did that when their pop was getting out of hand with their mom.
In this particular dream she had been in there for hours. She was freezing since they no longer had power at the tiny house. Her teeth kept chattering. She was hungry because the last thing she ate was a candy bar she split with Johnnie the day before. She remembered not being able to move her legs. They had long since fallen asleep. It was at that point in the dream that her father's voice got very close to the door and she could tell he knew she was there. Her heart rate skyrocketed and she tried to get even smaller but there is nowhere to go. There a thump against the door and the sound of the doorknob turning. She couldn't stop the sob that tore its way out of her chest. The door flew open and it was her dad but he was different. His eyes were milky and he's growling at her. She tried to scratch herself further away but it didn't work.
That was the part of the dream that Daryl woke her up at. The rest of the nightmare usually ended with her pa tearing her out of the closet and squeezing her arms painful. She would freeze, unable to fight or escape. She'd look behind him and see her mom and brother bloody and torn apart. Sometimes her dad shook her and others times he'd kick her. She always woke up in a panic unable to figure out where she was. It always felt like she was still in that little closet.
Memories of those times in that closet still had the ability to wreck her. The dream was more exaggerated than what actually happened but the terror was still the same. She did hide, she did get found but he didn't kill them. In her nightmares her dad looked like the monster he was on the inside. She shook her head, trying to clear it of the dream.
Jameson peeked over at Daryl and saw his nose twitching. It made her sigh. She slapped her hand over her mouth as if she could trap the sound before it escaped. Daryl's eyes popped open and he smirk sleepily at her.
"Wha' ya starin' at me for?" he grumbled his voice gruff from sleep.
She shrugged a shoulder and bit her lip. He raised an eyebrow at her. She rolled her eyes and ducked her head so he couldn't see how red her cheeks were.
'Told ya. Googly eyed creeper.' She thought to herself.
She felt him scoot across the bed closer to her. He pulled her into his chest, tucking the top of her head below his chin. His arm was wrapped securely around her lower back. She felt warm and secure. It was exactly what she needed after the day and evening that she had. It made the deep-seated panic from the dream go away.
Jameson was so comfortable that she sighed loudly again. She cringed and prayed for him to ignore her blatant moaning but she felt his chest rumble with a laugh.
"Comfy?" He whispered gruffly. Jameson tried to play it cool and cover her embarrassment. "It'll do." She said with a shrug.
Daryl snorted and squeezed her closer. She felt him rub his face against her hair and kiss her forehead. She felt his arm get heavy and his breathing even out. She smiled and kissed his chest softly.
Daryl's alarm went off at 630am. He inhaled and smelled Jameson's sweet scent. He rolled over turning his alarm off and returned his arm to her waist. Daryl couldn't wipe the smirk off his face. He didn't want to admit it but he was happy. He was scared he'd jinx it.
'Such a pussy' Merle'd say.
"Gotta git up Dare," she whispered. It felt like his face was going to crack from the grin on it. The only nicknames he'd ever had before were blatant insults.
He nodded and peeled himself away. He used the restroom and changed into his clothes. He was going to go into her bedroom to tell her goodbye but she met him in the living room.
"Ya lock the door behind me," he said and brushed her messy hair off her forehead. Jameson smiled and nodded. He cupped her face and bent down, kissing her deeply. She hummed and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He pulled back, stroked her cheek with his thumb and said, "See ya tonight."
Daryl left and waited by her door, listening for the sound of her locking it. He went to work and felt like he was the luckiest bastard on earth. He daydreamed all morning about Jameson but not just the sex. He'd pictured her laughing or with that smirk she wore when she was fucking with him. At lunchtime he saw a text message from her and had to hold in a bark of laughter.
You owe me a new bedside table ~ Jameson.
Daryl coughed and covered his amusement, looking around to see if anyone noticed.
Ya Didn't know you were seeing such a badass huh? ~ Daryl.
If by badass you mean clumsy than, yeah I know now ;) ~ Jameson
If there was a scoff button I'd text it to you. ~ Daryl
Pfft. You know I'm funny. ~ Jameson
True. It's why I tolerate you. ~ Daryl.
Is tolerate a code word for a certain four letter word? ~ Jameson
Daryl's eye bugged out. 'Did she really just ask me that? I mean I never even thought about the L word let alone said it to anyone.' He thought while scrubbing his face.
Oh god calm down Dixon. I can see your pale worried face from here. I meant FUCK. Duh dummy ;-) ~ Jameson
:-| Shuddup ~ Daryl
Daryl let out a relieved breath but then his brain started running circles.
'If ya never thought about the word why was it the first four letter word you thought of huh?' He groaned inwardly. He was so fucked.
Jameson's favorite thing to do now was fuck with Daryl. He was so easy to rile up. She was learning what buttons she could push to irritate him but not piss him off. Just enough that he got into a huff but still had a sense of humor about it. It was amusing. She did the four letter word thing without thinking what he may have thought. She didn't know if he'd think the L word but she covered herself by joking. She totally meant Fuck though...seriously she totally didn't think about that other one when dealing with Daryl. She just met him. Nope not that other word at all.
Jameson got a call from Rick in the afternoon informing her of her father's parole conditions. The restraining order was still in effect for 300 yards so Jameson could call if he broke the order. Rick let her know he would increase patrols in her neighborhood and near the bar. He also gave her, his personal cell number in case she needed to reach him directly. After that call she decided to give her brother a call about their father's release. She knew he would find out sooner or later and wanted it to be from her and not one of his contacts.
"Hey baby sister." Johnnie said happily.
"Hi Johnnie, how are you doin in there?" she said, inhaling deeply on her cig, nervous about his reaction.
"Good, how 'bout you? How's that guy you were seein?" he asked
"He's good. Helped me with a problem last night." She said dreading telling her brother about their fathers visit to the bar.
"What happened?" he said gruffly.
"Dear ol' dad got out a couple days ago. Came into the bar." She said scrubbing her face.
"WHAT? They didn't tell you he was getting out? You still have that order right?" He said loudly. Jameson could hear a guard in the background telling him to calm down or lose his phone privileges.
"Johnnie calm down. They didn't tell me. I still have the order but he doesn't give a shit. Rick came in and got him out. Called me this morning and told me he'd increase patrols near me and stuff." She told him, stubbing her smoke out.
"Well that won't do shit. That fuckin' asshole will get around it. Is he livin' back in town too?" he asked, Jameson could hear him tapping his fingers nervously.
"Yep. Told me he'd see me around." She said sighing.
"Goddamit. Wish he'd just drink himself ta death already." He grumbled. "Did he touch ya?" He asked quietly.
"No I was behind the bar and then Daryl hopped over the bar, got between us." She said, scratching at the flimsy tabletop.
"Good man. Did he get ya home or anything? You shouldn't be leavin that late at night now. That fucker will do anything to get back at ya." Johnnie muttered.
"Um ya he actually stayed here on the couch, didn't want me to be home alone. " She said feeling her cheeks burn in embarrassment.
"Good. He a gentleman cuz all you need right now is some guy taking advantage of ya when you're upset." He grumbled in his big brother voice.
"He wouldn't do that. He's a good guy." She assured him. The operator came on warning the two minutes left mark.
"Good. I asked about your guy. I know ya told me not to but I did, so deal with it." He said with a chuckle. "Couple guys knew Merle. Said his brother was nothin' like him. Followed the law 'n shit. Also said their dad was a bastard like ours."
Jameson nodded along and the said, "Ya didn't have to do that but I'm not mad. I get it. You're in there and I'm out here. Thanks for lookin' out."
"Always Jamesie. Always." He whispered and then cleared his throat. She could tell he was getting upset.
"I'm gonna visit on the first of the month. You be up for a visit?" She asked trying to make him feel better.
"Of course. I'll keep myself in line. Promise." He said with humor in his voice. The operator came on saying ten seconds were left.
"I love you Jamesie. Please be safe and call the cops if anything happens." He said quickly.
"I love you too Johnnie. I will and I'll see you soon." she said roughly, her emotions flooding her.
"Love ya," Johnnie said again as the line went dead.
Jameson laid her head down on the table letting her tears run. Her heart ached and head pounded. She took a couple shaky breaths and sat up. Talking to her brother was always hard. Her stomach growled. She had food she could eat at her place but decided she needed to get out of the apartment. She got dressed to go to the diner and then the bookstore. She had a few hours before she needed to be at the bar. She pulled on a pair of black jeans, a dark blue thermal top and her boots. She decided to carry Lucille with her now that her dad was roaming the streets. She pulled her shoulder holster on and the layered her hoodie and jacket. No one could tell she carried when she layered her jackets.
She was driving into town when she thought that maybe she would drive past the auto shop to see Daryl but then chickened out. She wasn't sure if he'd want her stopping by his job. She went straight to the diner and sat for a moment looking at who was inside. She didn't want to go in if her dad was there. When it seemed to be clear she entered.
"Hey Hun! How are ya?" Carol said bringing a water over to her booth.
"I'm good Carol, You?" Jameson said glancing at the menu.
"Great, Sophie got honor roll and second place in the science fair," Carol beamed.
Jameson smiled and said, "Ya got a good kid Carol. You're a good mama."
Carol smiled and blushed slightly. "Thanks darlin' Whatcha want today?"
"I'll take a burger with fries and a coke." She said, tapping her fingers on the tabletop. Carol went to put the order in and Jameson watched the parking lot out the window. She was edgy. She didn't know if her dad was going to show up there. The idea that he was back in town and that he could show up at any moment was stressing her out. She didn't want to be a prisoner in her apartment but feeling the extra anxiety was going to get to her.
"Ya ok Jameson?" Carol asked after dropping her food off.
"My dad got out, moved back." Jameson said, peeling the wrapper off her straw. Carol looked around and sat down in the booth with her.
"He's not supposed to come near ya right?" Carol asked quietly.
"No he isn't but you know him. It's just a piece a paper and I'm his blood. Ain't gonna listen to a judge." Jameson said pouring ketchup on her plate. Carol reached over and put her soft hand on top of Jameson's.
"If I see him I'll let ya know. Have ya told Daryl about it?" She asked gently.
"He got to witness the event himself. Frank showed up at the bar last night. Daryl stepped between us. I … haven't told him about everything yet. Just didn't … I don't want him to run."
"He ain't gonna run sweetheart. His pa was just as bad as yours and his brother's in jail right now." She tried to assure the young woman.
"Ya well Johnnie's a whole different story. Just," Jameson said and then added, "I know I have a lot of baggage. No guy wants to sign up for this crap."
"Don' ya worry about that dear. Daryl's a good guy. He's sweet on ya, I can see it." Carol said with a smile and patted her hand again, "Gotta get back before T-dog gets mad."
"Thanks Carol." Jameson said giving her a small smile. She ate her food and watched the window feeling paranoid. She kept expecting her dad to pop up. She'd have to talk to Daryl about everything or at least the stuff about her dad. He will want to know why she has a protective order against her own father.
After she left the diner she stopped at the bookstore. After browsing for a while she left with a couple books for her brother. She would bring them to him when she'd visit. She had a stray thought about having Daryl come with but shook the idea away. She would have to deal with more questions than she wanted to answer yet. Running home and changing she made it to the bar on time. She informed Dale about he father being out. He told her he would let her know if he saw Frank around town or in the bar. She took over the bar and tried to get in the rhythm of serving customers.
Daryl had finished up for the day. He didn't have to work that weekend. Jim was closing the shop because it was his daughter's birthday. They were all going camping and hunting for the weekend. Daryl was happy to get a few days off. He wanted to spend them with Jameson. He ate the rest of his rabbit stew and then made a call to Merle.
"Hey baby brother 'bout fuckin' time. Ya got better things ta do than see yer brother?" Merle bitched
Daryl shook his head and said, "Ya fucker. I got bills ta pay. Picked up a mechanic job in town. Ya keepin outta trouble in there?"
"Pffft. Always do." He said with a loud laugh. "Tha damn suit is tellin' me 6 months for the pills. Bullshit is what I say. Weren't mine I was just holdin' 'em"
"Whatever Merle. Shouldna been greedy." Daryl said gruffly.
"Shuddup. What elses goin on? Ya tell Carol hey for me?" Merle asked.
"I'll tell 'er when I see 'er. She seemed sad 'bout ya bein' in there." Daryl said, chewing on his thumb.
"I hear ya gnawin on yer nails. Whats up?" Merle asked
"Been seein' Jameson. Saw her fuckin bastard Dad last night." Daryl told him.
"Oh ya? He as bad as Carol said?" Merle asked.
Daryl lit a smoke and exhaled while he told Merle, "He's worse."
Merle whistled and said, "She alright?"
"Was pretty upset. Guess she's got a court order against him. Don' know why yet. Had ta call the cops ta get him ta leave the bar." Daryl told him smoking his cig.
Merle chuckled and said, "What's his name? Gonna ask around."
"Frank, I guess O'Connell. That's Jameson's last name. Prob'ly same as him. She's got a brother up in state. Johnnie's his name. Don' know why he's there." Daryl said feeling instant guilt about asking about both of them.
"Shit in state? Like super max?" Merle asked and whistled again. "Gotta be a bad motherfucker ta be in there."
"Ya. Don' know. Look don' go all out. She'll tell me when she wants ta." Daryl added, feeling bad he even asked.
"Ya in Wuv Darylina. Ya grow a pussy while I been gone too?" Merle teased.
"Shuddup Merle. It's just….she's a good girl. Doesn't deserve me snoopin' around if she don' want me ta know." Daryl said.
"Whatever. Ya gottta know what kinda crazy yer fuckin. Yer fuckin her right? Ain't no pussy worth this much trouble." Merle said with a gruff laugh.
"Shuddup Merle." Daryl snapped.
"Ya are fuckin 'er. Good job baby brother. Ya needed ta get laid. Always so fuckin uptight." Merle joked.
Daryl was getting fed up. "Whatever Merle. Jus' have your lawyer call me if shit changes or whatever. Ya got a trial date or whatever?"
"I don' maybe. Don' listen ta half that fuck says. I'll let ya know. Tell Carol hi for me and give the Sweet Cheeks a big sloppy kiss from Ol' Merle. I'll let ya know what I learn about the lil spit fire." Merle said, a guard telling him his time was up.
"Later baby brother." Merle said gruffly.
"See ya Merle." Daryl said, stubbing out his smoke.
Daryl looked at the clock and saw Jameson would be at the bar by then. He hoped that she had stayed at home all day. He didn't like that he couldn't watch her back during the day. He needed to find out if her dad knew where she lived at or if it was just the bar. He washed up and changed into a dark flannel and his jacket with his leather cut over it. He grabbed a pair of holey black jeans and headed out. He rode his bike even though it was raining. He needed to pick up his truck the next day before the impound place closed. When he pulled up he saw Rick's sheriff car outside and felt his stomach drop. He pulled in quickly, jogging towards the bar.
The night was getting off to a banging start. Jameson was helping out a group of college kids when she heard yelling from the pool table. She saw two football player sized guys shoving each other. Shane was trying to break them up but despite Shane's size, the other two were bigger. Jameson picked up the phone and called the Sheriff's department. She had Sasha take over tending bar and headed over to help out. She opted to leave the bat behind the bar, fearing it would just cause it to escalate.
"You're a fuckin cheat bro," The bigger of the two was hollering, his girlfriend holding onto his forearm.
"Yer just a fuckin shit player. Don't blame me for your dumbass suckin'" the shorter of the two said.
"Come on guys. Break it up. Don' need no fightin' tonight. Give us a break." Shane was trying to calm the two down.
"Hey," Jameson shouted. The two guys looked over but were still flexed up.
"How 'bout you both cut it the fuck out. I give yeah each a free beer and we all go home without black eyes?" Jameson offered with a raised eyebrow.
"Pfffft. He fucked me outta a hundred bucks. Fuckin' conman." The bigger guy growled, still pushing against Shane.
"Dude I ain't a con. I just know how to hold a goddamn cue." The second guy taunted.
Jameson sighed and stepped back as the two got more out of hand. She wasn't getting beat up for these idiots. Shane tried to push the guy back but the guy came back swinging. Shane got hit and all hell broke loose. Both guy's friends got involved and table and stools went flying. Jameson hollered at everyone else to get away from the brawl.
Jameson heard the sirens outside and watched as a few cops, including Rick came in, instantly breaking up the fight. All four guys were getting arrested and a paramedic showed up to check Shane out. Things were calming down within a half hour. Jameson went back to work as the cops got statements from the other customers. Jameson looked up when the bar door flew open, banging against the wall. Daryl came barreling in looking wild-eyed. Jameson's brow furrowed and she watched him approach her quickly.
"Jesus Dixon ya ok?" she asked frightened something bad had happened to him or Merle.
"What's goin' on with all the cops?" He growled.
"Oh a bar fight. A bunch of Neanderthals fighting over pool. " she said, "You ok, ya look pissed off?"
"I saw all the cops and thought your pa was back," he said taking a deep breath.
Jameson smiled and realized he was worried not pissed off.
"I'm fine, didn't even get too involved. Shane got a nice shiner though." Jameson said with an evil smirk. "I told him it was karma for not being here when he was needed last night."
Daryl smirked at her and snorted. "Good, deserves it."
"Hey I don't deserve to get punch by some meathead. I already apologized." Shane said, walking up to the bar. Jameson rolled her eyes and said, "Come on Shane. It's poetic justice. Ya needed an ass whooping for being a lazy bastard. Not to mention a dirty whore for fuckin anything in heels."
"Pfft. Whatever doll. Yer just jealous." He said with a cheeky grin. "Ya own any heels O'Connell?"
Daryl stood up from his stool and placed his closed fists on the bar. "Ya want another black eye fucker?" he said rough and low.
Jameson raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. He sounded so fucking hot all possessive and protective.
"Whoa big guy. Didn' know ya claimed her." Shane said, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Ain't got no claim. Shouldn' talk ta any lady like that." He said glaring at Shane.
Jameson smiled and turned to Shane. "Yeah Shane stop being a fuckin' perv and go do your goddamn job." She said hiding her grin and poured Daryl a whiskey knowing he'd need it to calm down.
"Pfft whatever. Jameson ain't no lady. Has the mouth of sailor 'n the temperament of a mule." Shane said wandering away to talk to Rick.
Jameson laughed and set the glass of whiskey down in front of Daryl.
"Thanks for stickin' up for me. Sorry ya got worried with the cop cars and shit." She said quietly, standing in front of him, her elbows rest on the bar.
Daryl nodded and chewed on his lip. He averted his eyes, looking around the bar to see if anyone was watching. Once he saw it was clear he reached over and squeezed her arm, his thumb stroking over the skin on her bicep. Squeezing it gently again before he let go and picked up his glass, sipping the liquor.
"Ya have any other problems today. I hope ya stayed at home." He said quietly.
"I went to the diner and the bookstore. I was ok. Had Lucille with me and kept an eye out. Didn't see him. Also let Carol and Dale know to watch for him." She told him biting her bottom lip. While looking away she said quietly, "Had ta call my brother 'n let him know too." She didn't know why she told him but it felt like she needed to start letting him. Otherwise he'd hear a rumor from town or maybe he'd get mad she waited too long to tell him she was a fuck up.
"Oh…He get mad?" He said awkwardly.
"Wasn't happy 'bout it." She said looking at the other customers to see if anyone needed anything. She saw a guy motion to her at the other end of the bar.
"Gotta get back. Ya need anything else?" she asked giving him a small smile.
"I'm good." He said nodding, his lips twitched
Jameson worked the rest of her shift without drama. The night slowed down after the fight. She kept glancing at Daryl out of the corner of her eye when she felt his gaze on her. She kept daydreaming about his mouth and what his hands felt like on her skin. It was like just his eyes trailing over her had the ability to make her wet. She had to bite the inside of her cheek when she caught him checking out her ass while she changed the keg. He licked his lip slightly and bit it. She could she him squirm in his seat adjusting himself in his jeans. She had a shockingly dirty visual of him bending her over the bar. She secretly hoped he would do it after they closed. She had to squeeze her eyes shut and shake the visual out of her head in order to concentrate. He was very distracting but she wouldn't have had it any other way. Seeing him at the end of the bar was both exciting and comforting. She had a feeling that she was getting addicted to his presence. She just hoped he was feeling the same way.
Thanks again for reading. I am so happy everyone is enjoying my little story.