Thank you all for being so patient with me. This fic is winding down. I need to tie up some loose ends obviously but hopefully I can pull off a good ending for these two. I love Jameson and have enjoyed writing her but my attention is torn between three fics and I've been working on this one the longest of the three. I also have so many other ideas that I want to work on. Anyhoo Hopefully I haven't lost everybody because of my staggered updates and my terrible cliff hanger last chapter!
I don't own the walking dead etc etc. OC and non canon schtuff is mine.
ENJOY!
The panicked man circuited the floor of the waiting room, his thumb bleeding in his mouth as he worried the cuticles down to the bone. Every time the door opened Daryl's eyes shot to the new face only to frown deeper and harder with every random stranger. A doctor entered and asked for the Greene family making everyone nearby stand up. Maggie and her father Hershel stepped forward and waited with baited breath as the man in scrubs informed them that Beth was out of surgery and did well. She had a traumatic head injury resulting in bleeding on the brain but she was now resting comfortably. They repaired the bleed and the swelling was going to go down now that the pressure was relieved. Daryl clenched his fists over and over as he waited for information on Jameson. No one had even informed them how injured she was or if she was one of the two fatalities and Daryl was coming to the end of his patience.
"What about Jameson?" he asked as soon as the conversation about Beth was done. The doctor glanced over and responded, "She isn't my patient. A nurse should be out soon."
"Been waitin' for-goddamn-ever." Daryl snarled, the stress finally breaking his ability to stay calm. He was going to beat the shit out of someone soon if they didn't provide him with information.
Rick placed a hand on his arm and spoke calmly to the doctor. "Any information you can get us would be appreciated." The other man scowled at Daryl but gave Rick a nod, "I'll send someone out with news as soon as we have it."
Pulling away from Rick, Daryl began pacing the white tiled floor again, the weight on his chest feeling as if it may crush him. A deep pain that felt like a fist clenching his heart took his breath away. 'What if she's gone?' He mind screamed until it went hoarse. Daryl's head pounded and blood rushed in his ears as his fists balled so tightly they throbbed.
The others were watching him unravel, all afraid to try and comfort him. He could see the concern and sympathy, which infuriated him more. 'No she ain't dead. Fuck 'em. Don't need no sorrys goddamnit. She ain't dead Dixon.' He scolded, his narrowed eyes flitting back to the tiny window in emergency room door. Tyreese stood up and placed a large hand on Daryl's chest, stopping him dead in his tracks. Shoving the man's hand away Daryl growled lowly, "Back off Ty."
"My sister's back there too Dixon. Ya gotta calm down."
The waiting room door opened revealing Merle and Carol, both looking more than worried. Daryl's brother approached swiftly, his eyes asking the question his mouth couldn't.
"Don't know. These fuckers haven't told us shit." He growled, his blue eyes jumping to the door leading to the emergency room yet again. Merle huffed out an angry breath himself and glanced at Carol, "don't ya know someone here?"
"I know a nurse, she helped me before." Carol spoke quietly, adding, "I'll see if she's here."
As she went to leave, the door opened and a nurse came through pushing a wheelchair. Sasha was in a pair of scrubs, her foot in a giant cast. "Sash!" Tyreese rushed forward, his large frame crouching to hug the injured woman. She patted his back, "I'm ok, I'm ok."
Daryl clenched his fist tightly, the words on the tip of his tongue but his throat too dry. Sasha made eye contact and he could see guilt in them causing his breath to hitch.
"Is she?" he choked out, his eyes burning into the woman's worried gaze, his throat closing completely before the question could make it's way out.
"She's ok Daryl." She assured, looking back at the double doors, "She's on her way out also."
His breath was caught in his chest, his heart thumping loud and hard. Tears burned in his eyes and he could barely contain them from spilling over. Merle hand landed heavy on his shoulder as if grounding his little brother, the bite of his fingers distracting him from the crushing fear.
"She's ok Daryl." Merle rasped, his voice sounding just as worried. "She's strong remember." Nodding while blinking his traitorous eyes rapidly, Daryl held his breath until the burned.
The doors buzzed and began opening, another nurse came through with Jameson in a wheelchair, her arm wrapped in thick cast pinned to her chest in a sling. Daryl stomped over and engulfed her with his shaking arms. His face pressed into the side of her warm neck and he swallowed down a sob. He could feel her uninjured hand gripping the back of his head, her fingers curled into his messy hair. 'She's real.' He gasped inwardly.
"I'm ok Dare. I'm ok." She murmured into his neck, "Just hurt my arm s'all."
"James." He gasped, his large trembling palms cradling her face, "Darlin' I was.." Shaking his head he couldn't complete the sentence without crying like a little girl. Scooping her up again, Daryl ignored the others talking and instead inhaled deep breathes of her scent.
"What happened?" Rick asked Sasha who was signing a form the nurse handed over.
"A car next to us had a blow out and lost control. Rammed us into a another car and we flipped."
"Why was Beth more injured?" Maggie asked, her eyes blood shot.
"She was in the passenger seat, the car we hit was a huge raised pick up. I think her head hit the side of it when the window broke." Sasha explained.
Daryl stayed plastered next to Jameson, his hand rest on the back of her neck, his thumb brushing over the soft skin below her hair. He could've lost her and he wasn't sure he would be able to ever leave her side ever again.
"Is Beth ok?" Jameson asked, her voice hoarse.
"They relieved the swelling." Hershel informed, his voice strained, and eyes watery. "They won't know much until she wakes up."
Sasha looked down and wiped her wet eyes, "I'm sorry guys. I tried to avoid them."
"Oh Sasha, we don't blame you. It's ok." Maggie assured, hugging the seated woman.
Soon everyone headed out to return home except for Maggie, Glenn and Hershel who were staying until Beth showed signs of waking up. All Daryl wanted to do was climb in bed with Jameson and hold her tightly to his chest. The last time he had been that scared was when her father had assaulted her. The idea of losing her now that he was so close to making her his wife had almost killed him.
Helping her into his truck Daryl helped fasten her seat belt since her arm was out of commission.
"All good?" he asked hoarsely, his hand tucking a stray hair behind her ear. Jameson nodded lazily and eyes drooping, "Tired."
"I can imagine." he drawled before closing the door and climbing into the drivers seat. He glanced at her when her hand curled into the armrest material, a sudden tension in her eyes.
"Ya ok?" he asked with a furrowed brow and worried eyes. Jameson muttered, "Just hate car wrecks."
Daryl hadn't even considered what being in such a terrible wreck could bring up for Jameson. The last one she was in had been with her brother and it resulted in the deaths of two other people and her brother's freedom being taken away.
"No one likes 'em James." He spoke calmly, "You ok to ride home?"
"I don't really have a choice unless you grew some wings?" she snarked with a tiny grin. Daryl reached out a traced a bruise that was forming on her jaw, "Nah but I will give you a piggyback ride all the way home if it makes ya feel better?"
Snorting Jameson shook her head and murmured, "Just get me home Dare. I wanna sleep for days."
Her whole body ached as they climbed the stairs to their apartment. Jameson had barely survived the drive home from the hospital. The accident had been terrifying. The sounds and how fast everything was spinning outside the vehicle kept replaying in her mind. She kept having bouts of vertigo from it and could tell her sleep was going to be plagued with nightmares again.
"Ya good?" Daryl asked when she stumbled on a stair in front of him. Nodding she murmured, "Just tired."
"Get ya in bed darlin'." He assured, his hand resting on her lower back as she finally reached the top of the staircase. Daryl walked with her, before unlocking the door. Sighing deeply she murmured, "It's really good to be home."
"Good to have ya here." He rasped, pulling her into a gentle hug. She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath and got a whiff of her hair, the smell of gasoline and smoke making her cringe.
"I need a shower. I smell like gross."
"Gotta agree with ya on that James but ya can't get your arm wet."
"Bath?"
"That'll work. I'll help ya."
Jameson winced, "Shit this is gonna be a pain in the ass. How am I going to work?"
"Don't worry about it yet, a'right? We'll figure it all out later." He told her while turning the bathtub faucet on. Nodding Jameson began to unbuckle her pants and kick off her boots. Daryl joined her and help her slid out of the sling and remove the t-shirt she wore.
Once undressed Jameson slid into the warm water, a moan escaping her instantly. Daryl laughed gruffly and rasped, "Good?"
"So good." She murmured while resting her injured arm on the lip of the tub. Daryl left the bathroom and came back with an empty glass. Raising an eyebrow at him, he replied, "Gotta help ya wash your hair."
Smiling shyly Jameson couldn't help but feel like he was the most considerate man she'd ever known.
"I love you." she whispered, emotion choking her as he knelt next to the bathtub. Daryl cupped her cheek and leaned forward, kissing her softly. A slow warmth filled her chest as he showed her how desperate he felt, the man's fingers touching her as if she were made of spun glass.
"Love ya darlin'… I thought I–" he clenched his eyes shut before the piercing blues pinned her with a look of terror. "Thought I lost ya."
Jameson squeezed the hand touching her face and assured him, "I'm not going anywhere."
"Better not." He quipped, his worried eyes betraying his smile. Relaxing back into the water she let him scrub her hair, his thick fingers massaging her scalp. Groaning in pleasure, Jameson muttered, "you're shooting yourself in the foot. I'm going to demand this all the time now."
She heard his gruff laugh, the sound reverberating in the tiny room. "Ain't nothin' wrong with that. Like taken care of ya." He drawled quietly, his hand now pouring clean water through her auburn locks. Jameson peeked one eye open and whispered, "you're really good at it."
"Washin' hair?"
"Takin' care of me." She responded shyly but honestly. Daryl flushed at the compliment, his lip rolling between his teeth in thought. "Ain't nothin hard." He excused, his eyes flitting from her face to the task.
"Still means a lot that you do it." She whispered, her head tilting back for him to rinse the soap from her forehead, his hand supporting her neck. Daryl looked down at her, his eyes tracing her face. She could see him lingering on the bruise developing, his mouth turning downward into a frown for a moment.
"I'll always take care of ya darlin'. It's why I'm marryin' ya." He explained his mouth curling slightly, "'sides you'd do the same for me." Smirking she nodded in reply but didn't speak, her mouth occupied by a deep moan as his fingers dug back into her scalp with silky conditioner.
"Oh Dare," she moaned with a breathy laugh. "Seriously I think I could cum this way."
Daryl's gruff chuckle had her smiling at the ceiling, her eyes still closed. The man hummed deeply, the sound causing a chill to run up her spine. Shivering from the throb now emanating from her core, Jameson peered up at him as he rinsed her thick hair. The lavender scent causing her to relax even further.
"Ya a'right beautiful?" he rasped, his fingers raking through her hair gently. Jameson smile slightly humming, "Mmhm."
Daryl's fingers massaged into her neck and shoulders, the rough texture of his fingers tips relaxing her further. Soon they were sliding across the skin of her back and ribs, goose bumps following the tantalizing paths.
"Like that?" he asked, his breath quickening against her temple, "Want me to-."
"Touch me," she gasped, need causing a deep clench between her wet thighs, "Please fuck."
Without hesitation, Daryl's hand sunk into the sudsy water to glide between her thighs. The man growled as he found her spread wide for him, her hips rising to meet him.
"Darlin'." He moaned, his teeth nipping her ear, "Damn, that's it, girl."
Jameson sighed as he sunk two fingers into her with gentle ease, the rhythm coming naturally and smoothly. Her heart was pounding as Daryl leaned over her, his mouth sucking a wonderful trail along her shoulder while his hand stroked her. His other hand curled into the base of her head, the digits pulling her head back to kiss her deeply.
"Fuck baby." She keened, her rolling hips causing the water to slosh against the sides of the tub. "I'm. I… please. So close."
Daryl's deep growl echoed in the tiny room, his teeth scraping along her neck. "Come on sweetheart. Let go." He ordered, his lips settling on her parted ones, kissing her through her breathless moans. Jameson's chest flushed as the tightly wound coil the man had ratcheted up snapped. Her thighs clenched around his large hand, her hips rolling with no rhythm, water splashed to the floor and Daryl's chest.
"Dare!" She gasped, her head thrown back and eyes clenched, brilliant sparks behind her eyelids.
"Fuck. Good girl. I gotcha." He soothed, his mouth grazing her cheek and ear as he stroked her slowly. "Let's get ya in bed darlin'" he drawled, his hands lifting her with ease and drying her as she leaned against the sink. Ya good?" He asked quietly, his hands combing through her hair while squeezing the dampness out.
"Yeah. Very." She sighed, her whole body sagging with exhaustion, her head resting against his wet tshirt. "So good."
It took a week for Beth to wake up and when she did everyone was relieved to see her almost as good as new. She had vision loss in one eye and would need physical therapy but the doctors expected a close to full recovery.
Jameson had returned to work and despite having only one useful arm had learned to adapt. She hired temporary help for not only her handicap but Beth's medical leave.
Daryl drove her to work every morning which Jameson bitched about but secretly loved. She smirked at him one morning when they pulled up to the back of the shop. His eyes avoided her while he thrust a paper bag at her, " 'ere."
Taking it from him, she unrolled the crinkled paper to find a sandwich, apple and bottle of water. Looking up she saw him chewing his lip while squinting at the windshield. "Ya need t'eat more than cupcakes for lunch."
Snorting Jameson leaned back into the car, her knee resting on the seat. Kissing him softly, her hand framing his rough jaw she whispered, "I don't deserve you."
Daryl's eyes widened slightly as he scoffed, "ya deserve more than some ol' redneck."
"Well that's good since you're more than some old redneck." She replied her forehead resting against his, "you're the best thing that's ever happened to me Dare."
The man's eyes slid shut for a moment, a look of contentment softening the anxiety he had been feeling. When his emotion filled eyes landed on hers again Daryl rasped, "you're the only good thing that's ever happened t'me Darlin'."
Kissing him wit's teasing lips, Jameson pulled back and smiled, "thanks for lunch dear."
Snorting, he flashed a rare grin and replied, "eat the apple too."
"Yes dear." She deadpanned while rolling her eyes playfully, a skip to her step the rest of the day.
"Hey Daryl, can I talk t'ya in the office?" Jim hollered from the back of the repair bays. A jolt of fear shot through Daryl's back as he headed towards the office door. Chewing his thumb as he sat across from Jim, his knee bouncing a rapid pace.
"Easy," Jim chuckled, pulling his hat off and rubbing The back of his neck with a shop rag. "Ain't in no trouble son."
Nodding once Daryl swallowed thickly and waited to see what the man had to say before he'd believe he wasn't in trouble.
"Quite the opposite really." The older man commented with a smile, "I'm retiring. The girls are both off t'college and me and the wife want to move back to her families land. Her folks passed last summer and the farm needs us."
Daryl rolled his lip between his teeth as he drawled, "It alright Jim, I can find somethin'. 'preciate ya tellin' me so I can get something lined up."
"No Daryl, the shop ain't closin'" Jim assured, leaning forward on his elbows, "I want to sell ya the shop. I know ya ain't got the money now, it'll be more like a rent to own but eventually it'd be all yours."
"What?" Daryl grunted, his brow furrowed. "Me.. ya want me to run it?"
"Not just run it son. I want ya to own it. It's not the most lucrative job but it always supported the girls and me." Jim explained his lips curling up at Daryl's shock, "don't seem so surprised Dixon. You're the best mechanic I've had, prolly better than me and I know ya will keep the shop runnin'. Plus it'll help you and Jameson get settled."
Daryl nodded slowly his chest clenching at the idea of someone trusting him with something so important.
"Ya know how I feel about Jameson." Jim added, his eyes troubled with old guilt, "I still think of her as that poor girl with a black eye and regret not doing what shoulda been done all those years ago. You havin' this shop will help her have a better life. A stable life. I hope you'll take it."
Swallowing around the large lump in his throat while nodding again, his eyes meeting Jim's with determination, "A'right Jim. I'll do it 'n ya don't gotta worry about James. Imma take care of her.. always."
Thanks for reading and reviewing!