Chapter 28

Kagome had just set her clean clothes to the side where they wouldn't get wet before picking up the bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash she'd managed to find on a run. She hadn't undressed yet; which was a good thing when she heard footsteps echoing from the doorway.

"Oh, hey…" Daryl rounded the corner and stopped short seeing her standing there. She could tell he wasn't expecting her to be in the room.

"Hey…" she replied.

"I was just…I'll wait until you're done," he said beginning to back up.

Without really thinking, and in a spur of the moment boldness, Kagome held up her hand. "Wait, umm…We could conserve water if you…joined me." She waited. She waited trying not to chicken out or second guess herself as she watched the shock rippled over Daryl's expression.

"Ya sure?" His voice not much louder than a whisper. He'd taken a step closer, rather than retreating.

Kagome didn't have to think about it, "Completely."

She knew he didn't run, but he appeared in front of her so fast she would've guessed otherwise. The kiss he pulled her into was all-consuming. It was just as passionate as any of their others, but the hunger that threaded through was stronger and more tangible. They'd danced around this, made excuses, been interrupted so many times but Kagome couldn't stand it any longer. He was there, they were alone, and they both knew tomorrow was a promise.

He was the first to touch skin as his hands trailed achingly up and under her shirt. Only breaking their kiss to allow the shirt to be pulled over her head, Kagome pulled him back to her as soon as it wasn't in the way anymore. His shirt followed in the same way; and as more of their flesh touched each other they were further lost.

Somehow, through the haze of happiness and pleasure Daryl was able to reach behind her and turn the shower on. The cold water hit her lower calves and feet first, causing her to jolt a little and break their contact momentarily.

"You could've warned me first." She glared at him while he smirked, pushing her fully under the now warm spray and following. Her bra was soaked quickly along with the back of her jeans, but those were stripped away one after the other. She'd managed to undo his belt and the rest was easily removed with the weight of the accumulated water.

As they breathed heavily, and now stood bared to each other, they took the moment to take in everything. He was beyond sexy, and based on the look in his eyes he wasn't disappointed in her either. Slowly, they came back together with her hands sliding up his chest and his grasping the sides of her head, fingers threading through her hair.

"Damn, you're gorgeous." He spoke low. The gravelly deepness of his voice sent a shiver from her shoulders down her back.

"Daryl, I love you."

He again froze for a moment at her declaration. Honestly, she hadn't meant to say it but it was the truth. She'd fallen so hard and the intensity of the moment had overwhelmed her speech filter. She hadn't meant to speak it aloud, but she didn't regret saying it.

He didn't speak, but she could tell when the surprise wore off and he pulled her even closer. His lips were fierce when they recaptured hers. He didn't have to say it because she felt it. The way one hand scorched down the back of her neck, across her back, and pulled her tightly against the full expanse of his body. The way the other grasped the hair at her scalp and tilted her head just right to deepen the already intense kiss; but, more than anything, the way he ensured they were both positioned under the water to remain comfortable told her everything.

He loves me too!

He wrapped one arm around her waist and with barely any effort picked her up, pressing her back against the now warm shower wall. Kagome wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck to grip his hair in one and shoulder in the other. Of all the men she'd had pressed against her, he was the only welcomed one, and damn did he feel fucking fantastic.

Before she realized he'd moved, the hand originally in her hair was now massaging a breast as he ground his hips forward. She felt him, all of him. It was driving her crazy and he hadn't even touched her below the waist yet. Squeezing her legs to pull him closer again she rolled her hips and they both moaned as his length grazed against her lower lips.

Leaving her breast, he drug his hand down and around her thigh and ass. When he found what he was looking for, Kagome gasped and leaned her head back against the wall with a hiss.

"Oh, God…do that again," she groaned.

Smirking again and leaning in to adore the side of her neck, he ghosted his fingers across her folds again before lightly circling her clit once more. Adding more pressure this time had her gasping and moaning slightly louder. She was already wet when he slid two fingers up and in. The fire within her was growing rapidly as he sucked on her neck and lovingly massaged the inside of her.

"Does it feel good, Kagome?" he breathed against her collarbone.

"Fuck, yes." She looked at him and with another roll of her hips she said, "I can't wait any longer, I need you."

She thought she saw another smirk but he'd lean up a little to kiss her again before she knew for sure. Almost simultaneously his hands were on her hips, and with a minor shift of his hips she felt him complete her. She wasn't ready, not for the feeling of being whole in more ways than one. He felt phenomenal but it was the sense that her soul was in euphoria as well as her body and mind. His moan in her ear and the immediate pace he set only added to the sensations.

"I love you too." She heard in his panty-wetting voice. It was all she needed to fall over the cliff of ecstasy far quicker than she'd thought possible. She bit her lip to keep from screaming from the force of her climax. It was stronger than she'd ever had in her life and it made her dizzy. Apparently her sudden tightening was all he needed as well because it wasn't two thrusts later and he was quickly pulling out of her, coating her ass cheek and the shower wall with his release.

It took a minute or two for them to catch their breath. It was a quickie in a way, but it was perfect. They'd been teasing and stoking the fire towards this for months. Kagome was the first to speak, "I'd make you a sandwich if I could, fucking damn."

He chuckled before raising his head off her shoulder, "You deserve one yourself." They smiled and when they were sure their legs could handle it, he lowered her back to her feet. After a few kisses that were far more telling than any previous, they helped each other clean up. "I'm not sure we saved any water," Daryl said smirking.

"So worth it, though." She winked and shut off the shower.

It didn't take them long to dry off and redress. Kagome bent down to put everything back in her container, but when she stood back up she felt her head begin to throb. "Ow, I guess I stood up too fast." She commented while rubbing her temple.

"Dizzy?" Daryl asked, sounding cocky.

"Shut up, it's partly your fault." Her smile showed she as teasing.

"Uh-huh, Damn right."

They walked out and back towards their block with an arm around each other's waist. Upon entrance, Kagome was glad no one said anything about them coming back together. They were all focused on their own things.

After they walked upstairs, and at Kagome's cell Daryl pulled her back into his arms and another deep kiss.

"Want to stay?" Kagome asked once they pulled back.

"In a cage?" he asked, teasing.

"Would it matter if we're in it together?"

Arching a brow he pecked her on the lips again. "Nah."

She giggled while pulling him into her "room." The rest of the night was calm, quiet, and peaceful. Kagome didn't last long once they crawled in bed, falling asleep even though the throb in her head hadn't eased. She was so tired, but happy and pleasurably satisfied at the same time. The next day would be work so she settled tighter against the hot body behind her and fell into glorious oblivion.

~ooOoo~

When Kagome woke, the blasted headache was still there.

I must be dehydrated, she thought. Reaching for the bottle of Tylenol she took two with a bottle of water she tried to keep nearby. Daryl was already up and down with the others. Though, Kagome felt more rested than she had a long time. A small smile spread across her face as she pulled her boots on and made sure she had everything she needed.

Going downstairs, she grabbed a bowl of oatmeal and thanked Beth for making breakfast. Everyone seemed in decent moods, Maggie and Glenn sat together with Hershel, Beth, and Carol while Rick ate with Carl and Daryl. Seeing Michonne eating alone in a corner, Kagome winked at Daryl as she sat across from the woman.

"Morning," Kagome greeted. Even though Michonne didn't speak at first, she watched Kagome closely. Smiling kindly, Kagome let her sit with her thoughts for a bit as she started eating. A few minutes passed.

"You're the one that left me the note." It wasn't asked but stated.

"I am."

"Why?"

Kagome looked up and met the woman's suspicious stare. "I saw you trying to get away from Merle and I wanted to help."

"You didn't know me. You didn't know the situation. How'd you know I wouldn't be a danger to them?" Michonne asked.

"Intuition. I'm decent at figuring people out and you were hurt. I didn't feel any maliciousness from you, I did from Merle. I'd hoped I could've distracted him while you got away and then followed, but obviously the last part didn't go as hoped." Kagome laughed a little before taking another bite.

"I have a friend still in Woodbury."

"I know, but please let me caution you that Andrea's not aware of the reality of that place. She won't listen. She'll have to find out the hard way."

"How'd you know her name or who, more of that intuition?" Michonne asked.

"This is more knowledge than intuition." Kagome continued, knowing she'd have to lie a little. "I saw her briefly while there, and I knew her before you met her. She's stubborn, hardheaded, and set in her mindset. I'm sorry."

Michonne didn't reply, just looked down into her oatmeal. Kagome could tell she still wanted the Governor's blood, his life, not just his eye. Which brought back to mind the condition she'd seen the man in while tied up.

"By the way," Kagome said. "Nice work to the Governor's face, I think it improved his looks." Michonne's head snapped up and saw the glint in Kagome's eyes. Then they both laughed.

"He deserves so much more."

"I agree he does, but in time. Now, eat and rest. We know he'll be coming at some point and we plan to be ready." Kagome motioned to Michonne's food.

"I wanna help." The woman's eyes were set, determined. Kagome couldn't fault her for what she was feeling. Knowing what it felt like to be lied to, manipulated, and realize someone was far more evil than originally thought…she understood.

Kagome nodded her head. "Daryl, Glenn, and I are going to start cleaning out another block deeper to the back of the prison as a fall-back. Want to join?" Seeing Michonne nod in return Kagome smiled. They weren't sure how many dead remained in the prison, and Kagome knew there was a breach in the walls somewhere so having Michonne along would be helpful.

All throughout breakfast, the throbbing in Kagome's head hadn't gone away. She pretended it wasn't there, but it was persistent and wasn't easing whatsoever.

Just keep going, she told herself. There were things to be done.

I'm winding this one down soon, hopefully. I've got a lot of projects and life stuff still ongoing so I'm hoping to finish this one strong and then focus on "To Take Shelter." Thank you for sticking with me or joining so far...please leave a review! :)