Chapter 7

"Damn, this coffee tastes like ass." Daryl made a face after taking the first sip.

Bay laughed and poured herself a cup. "It's for free, so you really can't expect all that much. Willie doesn't break out the good stuff for his employees. Granola bar?"

"What, no gummi bears? I'm disappointed." Daryl smirked and plucked one of the bars out of her hand.

"Gummi bears are better suited for dessert. Gotta start your day with at least a little something nutritious."

"Hmm,... maybe I should take some for the guys before they go in and jizz in a cup." Daryl mumbled more to himself, but Bay had heard and almost choked on her coffee.

"I'm sorry... what?" she coughed and cleared her throat while she was laughing. What a random thing to say.

"Some of the guys... they umm,... they wanna donate their swimmers for money this week." Daryl blushed a bit while he gave his explanation with a little embarrassed laugh.

"Guess it's a fun way to make some cash." Bay giggled. "Does it pay well?"

"About forty bucks, I think." Daryl remembered Jason saying something about getting between forty or fifty dollars per wank.

"Oh, I thought it would be more. I got offered twenty-thousand dollars for donating my eggs."

This time it was Daryl who choked on the coffee. "Twenty fucking grand? Shit, girl. Ya gotta be damn rich by now."

"No, I didn't do it. It was tempting, but after they explained how they get those eggs out of me and what I would have to do weeks before in preparation... too many needles and the risks of long-term damage to my reproductive organs were not ones I wanted to take." Bay explained with a frown. She was still sad about the loss of that amount of money, but she'd rather work harder and longer than potentially risk her own health like that for money.

"Prolly smart. That medical testing shit pays well, but what good is that money gonna do ya if ya get sick from that crap?"

"Exactly. I'm trying to find another job right now. The carpet mill is killing me, as much as I hate to admit it." Bay usually wouldn't admit that to anyone, because she wouldn't want anyone to think of her as weak. One would think she especially wouldn't want to reveal this weakness to her maybe-crush, but for some reason she felt safe telling him. "Have to take a bath with Epsom Salts every night when I come back from my shift, but it's not really working anymore. Every time a little more pain stays behind."

"I ain't got no idea how ya do that job. " Daryl shook his head in disbelief. He probably had to see it to believe it.

"I'm stronger than I look."

"Obviously." Daryl scoffed. "Still,... I was hurtin' after, so I can imagine how you gotta be feelin'. Yeah, you should quit. Like ya said, your health ain't worth some decent pay." Daryl said before he took another sip of the horrible coffee.

"I know, but the pay is so good for a part-time job. I don't know. I guess I could waitress, but my cleavage isn't... ample... enough to generate good tips." Bay sighed deeply. She imagined she'd have fun being a waitress, more fun than the carpet factory, but it would never pay as well.

Daryl immediately thought back to the image of her naked breasts when she mentioned her cleavage. Yeah, they were small, but they were still tits and they looked damn fine on her small frame. They were nice and round and perky and he was sure they'd fill his palms just right. 'So good...' he heard that damn moan again inside his head when he imagined letting his thumbs glide over her soft nipples, feeling them harden underneath his fingers.

"Earth to Daryl... You still with me?" Bay waved her hand in front of his eye, making him jump and snap out of his fantasy. His cheeks turned crimson and he made sure to look at the ground so she wouldn't notice his mortified expression. Down boy. Thinking bout that shit right in front of her... what's next? Whacking off in front of her?

"Yeah,... was jus' thinking... maybe ya should try the waitress thing. Or pick up shifts at another store." he suggested absentmindedly. He had the sudden urge to get out of there after that whole fantasy thing, and not just because another 'shower' was in order. He was slightly uncomfortable by what had happened, even though Bay hadn't picked up on anything. "Anyway, gotta go."

"Alright. I gotta get some work done around here." She placed her coffee mug on the small table in the break room and accompanied Daryl out into the store. He headed for the exit, while Bay went to the register. Daryl opened the door, but before he left he stopped and thoughtfully chewed his lip, before he looked at her. "Hey Bay?"

"Yes?" she looked up at him expectantly.

"If I get ya 'nother burger tonight... ya gon' eat it this time?"

Bay bit her lip to fight a smile, but failed miserably. "Depends. You make up your mind about what I told you last night?"

He just looked at her for a couple of seconds before he nodded and gave her his tiny smile. "I'll see ya at ten." Then he left and left them both in good spirits.

"G'mornin'. When did you sneak in last night? Didn't hear ya." Patrick yawned when he came padding into his small living room where a freshly showered and tired Daryl was dozing lightly.

"Late... or early... whatever ya wanna call it." he grumbled, deciding not to tell the whole truth. If he told Patrick where he'd been, he'd never hear the end of it. Endless teasing and knowing grins would be the result. That he could do without. Thanks, but no thanks. He was confused enough as it is.

"What you been doin' that late?"

"Stuff... ya know... errands. Man, I'm fucking tired." Daryl lamented as he pressed the heels of his hands against his tired eyes.

"I'll make coffee, then we gotta get our lazy asses out there and find work. Ain't got no smokes left." Patrick grunted and scratched his bare chest as he walked towards the small kitchen to get them their caffeine fix.

"I got some... table..." Daryl yawned and pointed towards the coffee table. He wished he would have a couple more hours to sleep, but they needed to eat. Ten minutes later the boys enjoyed a hot coffee and a cigarette, then they got fully dressed and went on their way to make some money. They were in luck, they met a freelance carpenter who needed some help on a new project. He wanted to test them out for a day, but if they turned out to be good workers, he would keep them on for the duration of the project. Patrick and Daryl were a bit hesitant, no longer used to having daily work commitments, but in the end they said yes, because it meant not having to worry about cash for a while. Daryl found himself enjoying the work. He wasn't afraid of hard labor and they got to work outside a lot on this project. He was kind of excited when his 'new boss' told them he'd be happy to take them on. One less problem to worry about. Patrick convinced John, the carpenter, to pay them for the hours they had put in today, so they could buy food before payday at the end of the week. Daryl and Patrick went shopping at the store right after work and brought the groceries home before they met up with the guys in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Daryl soon wished he wouldn't have gone there, because the guys had an 'interesting' topic to talk about.

"Man, that girl looked damn fine today. Asked if she wanted to come tonight and then later go and have a pizza somewhere, but she said she's gotta work. Ain't a total no, though." Josh Hansen grinned. Daryl didn't like him much, he was okay, but he wasn't exactly his friend. He was one of those friends of a friend of a friend, who didn't hang out with them regularly.

"Who are we talking about?" Patrick asked as he hopped up to sit on the truck-bed of Sam's truck.

"That girl Daryl didn't want." Jason replied while everybody was looking at Daryl curiously. They had all seen the chemistry between them on the weekend and how protective Daryl had gotten over her. Nobody had really bought it when Patrick had told them that Daryl wasn't into her at all, but since Daryl wasn't making a move and Bayanne wasn't coming around anymore, they would have to believe it, but it made them curious as hell about Daryl's reaction to what Josh was saying.

"Bayanne?" Patrick frowned. Awww, no that's not good. Patrick thought as he felt Daryl stiffen.

"Yeah, Bayanne Moore. Hot little piece of ass. Had my eye on her for a while, today she seemed in a good mood, took a chance... Hey Daryl... you know her a little? Tell me, bro, she got her cherry popped yet?"

The guys collectively held their breaths and all thought the same thing: Wrong question, dude!

Josh didn't seem to realize that he was flirting with disaster, he just kept on talking. "The things I'd do to her. Would make her ride me like there's no tomorrow, smack her ass, mark her up nice, mmm mmm mmm. Can't believe you passed up on that, Dixon."

Patrick watched Daryl slowly, almost casually walking up to Josh, and sighed. "Oh man, you just had to poke the friggin' bear..."

"What? He don't want her, so she ain't off limits." Josh said and watched Daryl's approach warily.

Daryl took a drag from his cigarette, before he let it fall on the ground. He gave Josh the evil eye and kept advancing until his chest bumped into the other man's, at the same time exhaling a puff of nicotine-filled smoke right in Josh's face. He kept bumping his chest into the other guy's, making him walk backwards until his back was up against one of the cars.

"Come on, man!" Josh held his hands up, trying to show Daryl that he didn't want a fight, but it was way too late for that. "Come on, you ain't her boyfriend. You didn't call dibs or nothing, right?" he laughed nervously, the icy stare he was getting from Daryl was more than just a little unnerving.

"She ain't fucking property." Daryl said in a dangerously low voice. "I saved her from fucking pigs like you before 'nd I ain't got no problem doin' it again."

"Pig? Gimme a break, dude. Like you ain't thought 'bout doin' shit to her. Sweet and innocent little bitch like her, nailing her while she's wearing that big ass cross 'round her neck..."

"Ya have a thing for having shit 'round your neck? Why didn't ya say that sooner?" Daryl snarled and wrapped his hand around Josh's neck, squeezing hard, making the other man's face go red as he tried to pry off Daryl's hand.

"What are you, her keeper? Calm down, I was just kiddin' around." he gasped and sputtered, trying to diffuse the situation.

"No, ya weren't. You're right though, I ain't her keeper,... I'm her friend and I make sure my friends are safe from little punk-ass pussies like you. Here's how it's gonna work from now on. Ya don't go into that store no more when she's working. You don't speak to her no more, you don't even look in her fucking direction no more. Ya got that? And don't bother showing your fucking face around here no more." Daryl got in Josh's face, their noses almost touching. It was uncomfortable to watch, but the guys thought Daryl was right to do it. No matter what Patrick had told them and no matter how much Daryl denied liking Bay, somehow it had quickly become the unspoken law that Bay belonged to Daryl. Even if they weren't ever gonna be a thing, she was under his protection. This little display certainly sealed that deal and made that fact crystal clear to everybody who was around watching the scene unfold.

"Fine, dude. Whatever, just back the hell of, man." Josh looked away when Daryl stared him down for a moment longer and bumped into him one last time for good measure. He breathed a little sigh of relief when Daryl finally did back off and released him, before he turned around to go back to where he had stood next to Patrick. "Stupid flat-chested piece of virgin pussy ain't worth the trouble." Josh muttered under his breath as he turned to walk toward his car, but he had underestimated Daryl's superb hearing. Daryl had hunted with his family ever since he'd been able to hold a rifle and his senses were finely tuned instruments. Nothing went by him, especially not some cowardly muttered insults about the one girl he liked spending time with.

He struck faster than a snake. He grabbed Josh's shoulder and whirled him around and before Josh realized what was happening, Daryl let his fist fly. It connected with Josh's nose and Daryl felt the bone give way with a satisfying crunch. He grabbed at Josh's throat and yanked him back up, not caring that the other man's blood dripped on his forearm as he slammed his back against the car once more. "That's one..." Daryl growled, referring to the now broken nose. "I catch ya 'round here or 'round Bayanne ever again, I'll break every single one of the remaining 205 bones in your body. One by one. I don't own her, but that girl is still mine, ya hear? Mine to protect. Mine to take care of.

Josh nodded and quickly scrambled to get away from the seething man. Daryl watched him until the car was out of sight, only then did he walk back to Pat to get a beer and have a smoke. "Jackass." Daryl spat and shook his head in disgust.

"You showed him. He's gotta be suicidal if he ever goes near your girl again." Pat said as he handed Daryl an old rag to wipe the blood off his arm. Daryl's head snapped up at the 'your girl' remark and he was about to go into another tirade, but Patrick cut him off before he could start. "Relax, don't mean it like that. It's good she's got someone to watch out for her. Looks like she could use it."

Daryl just nodded and hopped up on the truck bed. He kept to himself for the rest of the evening, trying to relax and let go of his anger before he would go to pick up Bayanne.

Patrick watched him brood a bit. He tried to believe that Daryl didn't have a crush on Bay, but the evidence that Daryl was into her was sheer overwhelming. Why's he so fucking afraid of telling me the truth? Already told him that nobody would give him shit for liking her. Hell, they'd all be damn happy for him. Can't ask him 'bout it. If I do he goes ballistic. Damn boy, just wanna help ya, but you won't let me.

After a couple of hours Daryl suddenly jumped off the truck bed and walked toward his truck without a word. "Hey! D? Where you goin'?"

"Making sure the damn prick stays away from Bayanne." Daryl replied without looking back at his best friend.

"Gonna make sure she gets home okay?"

"Yeah." Daryl muttered while he got into his truck, then he drove off towards the burger joint.

"Alright..." Patrick grinned. "Guess it's a start. Maybe he don't need help."

"Not into her, my ass!" Sam snorted with a laugh.

"I know, right?" Jason snickered. "Trust me, I'd put the beat-down on anyone who'd hurt a woman and I'd put the beat-down on anyone who talked like that about my woman, but I wouldn't do it if some guy I knew just talked about wanting to get it on with a girl I ain't interested in. He was fucking jealous."

"Yeah, he's been trying to kill me by shooting daggers at me ever since I hugged the girl." Tommy laughed. "She's mine, he tells Josh, but as soon as Pat calls her 'his girl' he looks at him like he's about to break his nose, too? He's fucking weird."

"He ain't." Sam disagreed. "I think he's in so fucking deep that he can't see the forest for the fucking trees."

"What are you saying?" Patrick looked at him with a frown. "You saying that we all know he's head over heel for her, but he don't know it himself?"

"Yep, that's what I'm saying. Erin and I talked bout it Saturday night. Come on guys, it's obvious that he likes her, but it's Daryl. He ain't ever had a girlfriend. Maybe he don't know why he does what he does. He don't know that it's 'cause of having feelings for her."

"You sayin' that he don't know that he's in love or something?" Patrick was highly doubting that theory. How can someone not know or realize that they're in love? "Come on, man. That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Sam quirked his eyebrow at Pat. "I admit that Erin came up with that theory, but it kinda makes sense. He's only been with some girls at parties, but he never had a steady girl. Maybe Erin is right and he never had a crush before and he don't understand what's happening. That's why he gets mad the whole fucking time you mention anything 'bout it to him."

"Hm..." Patrick grunted. Yeah, he had to admit that it kind of did make sense and he was a little bummed that he hadn't figured it out by himself. He was Daryl's oldest friend and he knew pretty much everything about him. He knew how Daryl had grown up, he had been in front of the Dixon's house and had watched it burn down to the ground while Daryl had come sprinting down the street, because he'd been the only one not to own a bike. Sam had been there as well, but Patrick had always been the closest to Daryl, he should have known. Daryl had grown up in a loveless home. Year after year he had gone without getting birthday or Christmas presents, day by day he'd plucked lit cigarettes out of his mothers fingers so she wouldn't burn herself. While other kids had gone on a fun camping trips, Daryl had had to learn how to hunt and survive out in the woods. Camping? Yes. Fun? No. Shit, man... the guy don't know what love is or how it fucking feels. That thought was deeply saddening and Patrick now wished even more that both, Daryl and Bay, would come to their senses and see what was right in front of them. "Okay... guess it might be right." Patrick admitted and sighed. "What do we do about it?"

"Nothing. You know what happens when ya say something. Can't nobody help that boy, but him. He's gotta figure it out on his own. We gotta stay out of it or it ain't never gonna happen." Sam shrugged and recited what Erin had told him.

"Yeah." Patrick wasn't satisfied with that solution, but there was nothing else to do. "Guess that's true."

Bay was once again very aware of how much faster her heart started beating and how those pesky butterflies were bustling about in her belly when she saw Daryl waiting for her outside the factory. She knew she was screwed, it happened every time she saw him and she knew there was no fighting it. The crush had won, it was in full bloom. The only thing left to do was not to be obvious about it and start acting like a thirteen year old school girl around him. She tried to force the huge grin, that was about to break out on her lips, into a medium-sized smile and kept clutching the strap of her bag so she wouldn't start waving at him like an idiot. She was relieved when she made it into the truck without making a fool of herself. Thank God!

"Thank God for what?" Daryl frowned and couldn't help but be amused when he noticed her startled expression.

Oh crap, did I say that out loud? "Umm, thank God my shift is over. Don't have to be back here until Thursday." she said quickly, but blushed nonetheless. I'm an idiot.

"How was it?"

"Same old, same old." she replied while she put the seat-belt on and Daryl pulled into traffic.

"And this mornin'? At the store? How was that?" he tried to keep his voice neutral, but thinking about Josh asking her out till made him angry.

"Good. The usual, I guess."

"Got the afternoon off tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Doin' anything?" he still wasn't able to get Josh out of his mind. He'd asked her to have pizza with him and even though he knew that Bay had declined due to having to work, Daryl still wondered if she would take him up on the offer another time."

"I am." Bay said with a smile, but didn't offer up any more info.

Daryl clenched the poor steering wheel with impatience and started to get agitated. "Yeah? Like what?"

"Erin called me at the store earlier today. She's coming over to hang out. I'm so excited you can't even imagine." Bay was beaming, she was really happy about Erin getting in touch with her and she couldn't wait for tomorrow.

Daryl released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. No date. Just girl time. Good. "Sounds good. Gonna be fun for ya, huh?" he was able to give her a little smile, happy for her that she got someone to hang out with.

"I'm sure it will be." She smiled, before something else caught her attention. It was dark, but in the light of the street lanterns they were passing, it looked like Daryl's hand was slightly discolored. "Daryl? Did you hurt your hand?"

He looked down at the hand in question and cleared his throat. "Yeah."

"What happened?" Bay asked and Daryl pondered whether to lie or to tell her the truth. He wasn't big on lying and he knew if the truth would come out, that it wouldn't earn him any favors, so he decided to stick to the truth.

"Ya know Josh Hansen?"

"Ugh... yeah." Bay rolled her eyes. Daryl laughed a little, making her look at him in surprise. "What?"

"Don't like him?"

"No, can't say that I do." Bay laughed along with Daryl.

Best fucking words I heard all day. Daryl thought and it gave him hope that she wouldn't be mad for what he'd done. "Good. Don't go near that guy, alright?"

"I won't, but why? What happened?" Bay asked, although she had a pretty good idea how Daryl had bruised his knuckles. "Were you in a fight with him?"

"Yeah. Said some nasty things 'bout you. Just wanted in your pants." Daryl looked at her carefully and bit the inside of his cheek. He was nervous that she would be mad at him for beating up another guy.

"I figured from the way he was leering at me. Made me really uncomfortable. Wait, he said nasty

things about me and you beat him up for it?" Bay didn't know what to think about that. She usually didn't condone violence, but that Daryl would defend her honor like that made her want to kiss him and smile proudly at him. Something deep inside her belly clenched for a moment and made her shudder slightly. It puzzled her because she wasn't able to place that sensation and she rubbed her arm when she broke out into goosebumps right after. What was that? I'm not running a fever, am I? Dear God, please let me not get sick. Can't afford it right now. I don't feel sick, though... Weird.

"He had it comin'. Told him not to come near you again, so if he ever shows up again, ya gotta tell me, alright?"

"You're not gonna beat him up again, are you?"

"Promised him I would if he wouldn't listen." he looked over at her when he stopped at a red light. He hated when he wasn't able to read her right and right now he wasn't able to tell if she was annoyed with him. "I fucked up, huh?"

"No,... I mean... I'm not a fan of violence, I don't think it's necessary, but I know men are wired differently in that area and that you just had my best interests at heart, which is really sweet, so I can't be mad at you." Bay replied and sighed quietly. She didn't want him to get into fights for her, she wasn't worth it, and she had no intention to go near him anyway.

"But? You are anyway?"

"No, I'm not. I'm not mad, but if I promise you that I would never ever go out with him anyway, can you promise me not to get violent with him? Please?"

"You sure you don't like him?" Daryl scowled at her. Why the fuck is she so worried 'bout his damn safety?

"I don't, Daryl, but I don't want you to get yourself in trouble because of me. Don't get me wrong, I am very flattered that you stood up for me and defended me, but please don't risk getting arrested or something. I'm not worth that trouble. You already did so much... Please." Bay was begging him, her big, beautiful eyes looking at him pleadingly.

Wait a minute. She ain't worried 'bout him. She's worried 'bout me? The realization felt almost unreal and he barely dared believing it. Can't be right. Even though he was unsure if that was what she had meant, he couldn't help but smile a little. "Yeah, alright. If that's what ya want." he sounded almost chipper as he smiled at her, causing Bay's big smile to come back.

"Good." she giggled quietly.

Daryl parked the car in front of her building a couple of minutes later and reached back to get the bags with the burgers and fries from the backseat. "Here. Still warm."

"Thanks. You wanna come up and eat there?" she offered as she accepted the bag.

"Can we stay here?" Daryl felt like his truck was kind of his home turf and he liked having her in here.

"Sure, no problem." Bay assured him with a smile and got her burger out of it's wrapping paper. "Oh God, sooo goooood." she moaned after her first bite. Daryl's traitorous dick twitched happily inside his boxer shorts and Daryl grit his teeth for a moment to get a grip on himself. Yet another thing to add to his private shower time fantasies.

"Ya like it?" he smiled, happy that he'd supplied her with something good.

"It's amazing! Thank you so much. I could die a happy woman right now." Bay was slumped into her seat in total bliss while he ate and Daryl enjoyed her happiness immensely.

"Let's hope it don't come to that just yet." he mumbled around his own mouthful of burger. "Say, ya got a freezer?"

"Yeah. Not a whole separate one, but this little compartment at the top of the fridge. Why?" she asked bewildered.

"Just askin'." he shrugged. "So ya headin' straight ta bed after this?"

"Bathtub first. Gotta soak my back and arms for a while, then it's off to bed."

"Right."

"Where are you gonna sleep tonight?" she asked, fully prepared to offer him a place on her sofa for the night.

"Patrick's. Jessa ain't there tonight." he knew he could have lied, but it didn't feel right.

"Okay... Hey ummm... before you ever go to sleep in your truck again... you can stop by and sleep on my couch. We made it work the last time..." Bay offered timidly. It felt weird to offer up half her bed to a man (and a man he found attractive on top of that), but they'd done it before and it had actually been really nice.

"Can't always sleep sittin' up." Daryl smirked and was very pleased about her offer, although he wasn't sure if he would have the balls to just march up there and ask if he could stay the night.

"I guess we could lay down." Bay giggled. "We'd probably have more space too, because I tend to sleep on my side."

Daryl didn't know what to reply, so he just gave her his tiny smile and that was enough for her.

"Well... I really gotta go or tomorrow morning is going to be hell." Bay enjoyed sitting there and talking to Daryl, but her alarm would go off at 4 am and it was already ten-thirty pm. As much as she loved spending time with him in his truck, she also needed her sleep.

"Alright." Daryl muttered, sad to see her go already, but he understood.

"Thank you so much for everything, Daryl. You're really sweet." Before either of them realized what she was doing, Bay had leaned over and softly put her right hand on his cheek and pressed a gentle kiss against his other cheek. Suddenly she was startled by her own action and quickly pulled back. She was mortified when she saw Daryl's shocked expression. Both blushed a deep, dark red and Bay almost stumbled over her own two feet in her haste to get out of the situation quickly. "Bye." she mumbled and then she was gone, dashing into the building at lightning speed.

What did I do, dear God, what did I do? He didn't want that. Why did I do that? Oh God, now he sure thinks I'm a lovesick little girl. Kissing his cheek just like that. Who does that? Oh God... Bay admonished herself over and over and over while she unlocked her apartment door and let herself in.

Daryl, meanwhile, wore a mask of confusion and he felt weirdly lightheaded. He didn't know what to think, all that seemed to come up was That really jus' happen? He slowly brought his bruised hand up to touch the spot where her lips had touched him and chewed his bottom lip nervously. Yeah it did. Shit, that damn crazy girl... It had felt nice. Confusing, but nice. Now his stomach was doing those weird things again and he once again admitted to himself that Pat might have been right all along. It scared the hell out of him. He hid his face behind his hands, rubbing his skin hard as he felt a bit overwhelmed. The hell am I s'pposed to do?

Thank you for reading!

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Snowbird: Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews. Merle will be in the story, but it might be another couple of chapters until he shows up. He is a vital element, but that's all I can say right now:) Right now we will spend our time getting these two people together and have them enjoy their first love:) Thanks for all the well-wishes, right now my son and I are healthy and well, only mama i very tired, lol.

guest: I am so happy that I have a little after-work treat for you by writing this. It's nice to see that you enjoyed the last chapter. I loved writing the scene with the cop and Bay's little outburst. I think it was about time that she shook him awake a little, albeit unknowingly. I hope you enjoyed this one as well:)

Guest (2): Yes, everything inside of me was screaming at me to let him kiss her, but it was too soon:) Thank you for your review.

Kara: Thank you, it was my favorite scene to write. Thank you for your review, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.