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Chapter nineteen.

As her lips met his, she reached for his shoulders to stable herself and he let go of the bow and bought his hands up to her waist. She felt him kissing her back, much more softly and gently that she was expecting. Her fingers reached behind him and grasped his hair as he ran his hands down her back and to her hips. She moaned into the kiss and his grip tightened. And then it was over, as quickly, or so it felt for Ellie, as it had begun. They looked at each other for a second, holding an intense stare at the other's eyes before Daryl cleared his throat.

"Err. I um…" He mumbled, holding his neck with one hand, and letting the other fall from her waist. He stood there awkwardly, unable to find words.

Ellie blushed and felt suddenly embarrassed at his reaction. He didn't want that kiss. She dropped both hands from his neck and spun around quickly so that her back was to him. She didn't want him to see the pools of tears that had flooded into her eyes at the hint of a rejection.

"Sorry." She choked before starting to run off into the wooded area the other side of the hill.

"Ellie!" Daryl called. "El, wait!"

She heard the sound of footsteps and slowed down to a walk. There was no use running, he was much quicker that she was.

"El!" Daryl called as he reached her. "Why are ya running away for?"

Ellie wiped her eyes with her sleeve, refusing to face him.

"Ellie!" he half growled in frustration, grabbing her arm lightly when she tried to walk again. "Please talk to me."

Ellie bit down on her lip and turned to him, letting a few tears fall onto her cheeks. Daryl looked confused and fearful.

"Why are you running off cryin' for? What did I do?" he asked, looking bewildered. She frowned at him.

"You… you didn't want to." She cried, stepping away from him slightly. "I shouldn't have kissed you. I'm so stupid."

"What?" Daryl frowned, puzzled. "I didn't say that!"

"You didn't have to. I could tell." She said, looking at the ground. "I get it. Why would you want me anyway, I'm nothing but a burden."

Daryl looked annoyed at this statement. "What the hell are ya on about?"

"I'm sure there's someone better… maybe Andrea or Carol… someone who isn't pathetic and knocked up." She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

Daryl shook his head in confusion. "Ellie, what are ya saying woman? I want you… knocked up or otherwise. It makes no difference to me."

She looked up at him with wide eyes. "But you pulled away, you were trying to find the words to-."

"-tryin to find the words to talk, yeah. I'm no good with this kinda stuff." He admitted with a blush.

"You… you wanted me to kiss you?" she repeated unsure.

"Yes, you silly woman!" he exclaimed. "Course I wanted to kiss ya."

Ellie took a shaky sigh. "I felt so stupid, thought I'd ruined everything by not thinking." She confessed.

Daryl shook his head. "Ya haven't ruined anything. You just did what I've been tryin to work up the nerve to do." Ellie let out a relieved giggle through her tears. "What made you do it?" he asked.

"Just something Andrea said to me earlier." Ellie said. "About dying with regrets. I would have regretted it if I didn't kiss you."

Daryl chuckled this time, and took a step towards her. "You…" he began. "Have done something to me El. I've never cared about anyone in my life like I care for you. No one."

Ellie blushed harder now, her cheeks glowing a crimson red. "You haven't?"

"No. Dixons don't get close enough to people to get hurt but you… I can't stay away from you."

Ellie stayed silent and allowed Daryl to pull her into a hug, his big arms around her shoulder and waist. She relaxed into his grip and took in another shuddery breath. She was so stupid, damn hormones.

"You woman are so confusing." Daryl muttered into her ear, followed by a deep chuckle. "Jumping to conclusions all the damn time."

"I'm sorry." She whispered, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. Her cheeks were quickly drying with tears now, leaving them cold in the wind of the shade. Daryl reached a hand up to her ringlets and twisted one with his finger.

"Just promise me that you won't run away again curls." He asked in a weak voice that didn't sound like it belonged to him.

"I swear it." She said, holding onto him tightly.

…

In the afternoon sun, a large group stood around the blue pickup truck a short way from the house. Ellie was leaning against the tree that was shading them all from the heat, throwing a stick for Cooper to fetch every few seconds, listening to the conversation going on between Hershel and Rick.

Hershel had offered their camp a space in his house to sleep from now on, after the risk of walkers scared everyone last night. Rick had mentioned about it being tight with fifteen people and a dog in the house. Hershel shook his head softly and agree with Rick that they'd make it work. Maggie made a good show of pointing out that with the farm animals on the property, they'd be target for a hungry walker's next meal.

Ellie glanced around and noticed Beth stood a short way behind her sister, looking peaky but much better than she had in days. Ellie gave her a small smile when the young girl looked up and she returned it shyly.

"Alright." She heard Rick say, and looked up at him. "Shane, Glenn, Andrea, let's move each of the vehicles near the doors, facing out towards the road. Well put a look out in the windmill and another in the barn. That should give us plenty of security. Tdog, you take the perimeter around the house, keep track of everyone coming and going."

"What about standing guard?" He asked Rick, hoisting his gun strap up and over his head.

"I need everyone on double duty."

"Got ya." He mumbled and headed off, followed by the people moving the cars. Daryl looked across at Ellie with a grumpy face.

"What about patrols?" Ellie asked, stifling a laugh at Daryl.

"Let's get this place sorted first. After that Shane will assign shifts while me and Daryl take Randell off site and cut him loose."

Ellie nodded slowly at this. Shane scowled at Rick and Daryl.

"Back to that now?" he asked in a pissed off tone.

Rick nodded. "It was the right plan, we just did it wrong."

Shane scoffed. "Yeah, that's a slight understatement."

"You don't agree? This is what's happening so swallow it." Rick said forcefully, stepping forward and placing a hand the truck.

Daryl shifted across from Ellie and was staring hard at Shane.

"You know that Dale's death and the prisoner… that's two separate things right?" Shane pointed out sulkily.

"It's decided Shane." Ellie said from her spot by the tree. "Move on."

Shane threw her a look before turning back to Rick. "Wanna take Daryl as your wing man, you go right ahead."

"Thank you." Rick said with a blank expression before walking away.

"You got it." Shane spat, kicking the stones by his feet. One landed near Cooper and he gave a small warning growl at Shane. "Shut it mutt."

"Don't." Ellie warned, glaring at Shane before heading off towards her tent, with Cooper and Daryl following her.

Together they began to pack up their things, and folded the tent down into a heap.

"How do you feel about moving into the house?" Ellie asked him as she lifted her bag onto her back.

Daryl shot her a look that said everything about how he felt about the move. "Lemme carry that for ya."

"It's ok, I've got it." She said, pushing his outstretched hand away.

"Stubborn woman." He muttered playfully, picking up his own two bags and the tent. "Let's go."

As they reached the door of the house, Rick called Daryl's name from over by the cars. Daryl rolled his eyes but threw down his things on the porch and turned to Ellie.

"Find me a good spot?" he asked.

"Sure thing." She said, watching him run off towards Rick.

She heaved her bag up a little higher and beckoned Cooper into the house. The rooms were full of people. Immediately she avoided the downstairs and climbed up to the second floor. Right at the end of the hall way was the only room that she found untouched and free. It was the room that she had been in twice before. Once when she was in the car crash, and once when Daryl was shot. It felt like forever ago but it had only been a few weeks. She sighed and threw her bag down onto the bed. This room would do. She wondered if Daryl would be happy sharing with her again. She set Cooper's pillow down under the window and ran back down stairs to grab Daryl's things. She knew he wouldn't be thrilled to find out she had done this but it wasn't like she wasn't capable.

When she was halfway up the stairs, she felt someone take a bag from her shoulder. Turning quickly, she saw the familiar blue eyes of Daryl Dixon.

"You scared me!" she breathed, holding her hand to her chest. He chuckled and swung the bag onto his back in one swift motion, and then grabbed the tent from her hands.

"What do ya think you're doin'?" he demanded in his gravelly voice. "I can carry my own stuff."

"I know, I was just helping out is all." She said with a small smile.

Daryl shook his head, smiling that half smile that made Ellie's stomach twist into a knot. "Where are we staying?"

"We?" she teased. "What makes you think I want to share a room with you again?"

Daryl scoff daringly. "Because I know ya do curls. You can't resist me, remember."

Ellie blushed and grinned. "End of the hall." She said.

He smirked and passed her on the landing, throwing his things into the room. "You like this room or something'? Always seem to meet in here."

She laughed. "I know, its fate for sure."

"No injuries this time please." He moaned.

They both chuckled, and Daryl took a step closer to Ellie, reaching out for her hand, pulling her closer. He slipped a hand under her chin and bought her face up to his.

"Can I kiss ya this time?" he asked in a whisper. She couldn't find words to reply. She could barely hear him over her hammering heart. All she could do was nod, and felt his cool lips on her burning hot ones.

…

Daryl had announced that he had to go down and start on fixing the shed housing Randell after a few minutes and Ellie told him that she be down helping everyone get settled. After they parted ways, Ellie and Cooper made their way into the dining room. She could hear small conversations buzzing here and there, and noticed that the house seemed a whole lot smaller now.

Maggie brushed past her looking confused and annoyed. Ellie held out her arm to catch Maggie's shoulder.

"What's up?" she questioned as the farm girl stopped and turned to her.

Maggie shrugged, and looked over at where Glenn had started setting up his things. "I don't know what's up with him."

"Maybe he just needs a little space?" Ellie suggested, with a frown.

"Yeah, probably. Urgh, men are so hard to read." She moaned. "Woman are easy, men not so much."

"You know they say the same thing about us right?" Ellie laughed, causing Maggie to let out a small snigger.

"I guess. Where are you stayin?" she asked.

Ellie pointed to the top floor. "Room at the end of the hall. It didn't look claimed. If it is I can move."

Maggie shook her head. "Naw, it's free. Is that red neck of yours staying with you?"

"Daryl." Ellie corrected her. "Yeah."

"At least your man want to." She grumbled, looking at Glenn again.

"Yeah but Daryl doesn't have my father living under the same roof." Ellie pointed out.

Maggie sighed and nodded. "I suppose you're right."

"Give him a little time to adjust."

"I will. Thank Ellie." Maggie said, before swinging on the banister and heading up the stairs.

Ellie continued through to the porch and spotted Lori lifting things from the cars.

"Anything I can do?" she asked as she approached.

"Just trying to get everything inside." Lori said, heaving a box over the back of the truck.

"I'll help." She suggested, grasping hold of a green cool box and lifting it too. It was heavier that Ellie was expecting and she stumbled slightly under the weight.

"Hey," she heard Tee shout as he ran down the steps. "Don't strain yourselves. I can do this."

Ellie rolled her eyes at him. "I'm a big girl Tee, I can lift a cool box."

He frowned at her, and grabbed the box that Lori was lifting.

"Ya'll shouldn't be lifting in your conditions." He said.

"I can't just sit around." Ellie laughed, shifting the box onto the floor. Tdog rolled his eyes at her this time.

"Thank you." Lori said, giving her box over to him. "We're in the living room." She directed him.

"You can go in my room." Hershel said, walking down the porch steps. "You'll be more comfortable there. And Ellie, you are in the spare room down the hall correct?"

Ellie nodded. "I can move."

"No need, just making sure you both have a decent bed to sleep in."

"We can't take your room Hershel." Lori said with a shake of her head.

"Pregnant women and children sleeping on the floor while I've got a bed to myself?" Hershel mocked.

"It's your house." Lori said.

Hershel shook his head. "It's alright. No more discussing it." He said.

"Thank you." Ellie and Lori said together. Hershel gave them a nod and picked up a box to carry inside.

Ellie went about getting another box down when she noticed Lori starting off into the edge of the field. She looked up and saw that Shane was us on the windmill, hammering.

"Lori." Ellie warned. Lori looked at her before shrugging.

"Just a chat." She said, before setting her box down. "I'll be right back."

Ellie stayed silent as she watched her go, choosing to keep her nose out of their business.

…

After she had finished up with the cars, she wondered around the side of the house and spotted Daryl and Rick leaning over a map on the fence of the porch. She caught Daryl's eye and he nodded at her to come over to them. She called Cooper and they joined the men.

"Take him out here, a couple miles give or take." Rick was saying, pointing at the map. "We may lose the light, but we'll be halfway home by then."

Daryl nodded, bending to stroke Cooper's ears as the dog entwined himself in Daryl's legs. "This whole pain in the ass will be a distant memory."

"That's a good thing." Ellie added with a nod.

"Carol's putting together some provisions for him. Enough to last a few days." Rick commented.

"We can spare it?" Daryl asked, rubbing his neck.

"We have to." Ellie said simply. The men looked at her and nodded.

Ellie looked out and saw Shane's car speeding towards the house, leaving a trail of dust from the gravel in its wake.

Rick glances at Ellie before addressing Daryl. "That thing you did last night…"

Daryl sighed. "Ain't no reason that ya should do all the heavy lifting?"

Rick nodded slowly as Shane's car parked up outside. "So you good with all this? Both of you?" he asked.

"I don't see you and I throwin punches on the side of the road." Daryl said with a nod. Ellie let out a small chuckle and nodded too.

Shane got out of his car and headed towards where they were all stood. Daryl shifted uncomfortably and grabbed Ellie's sleeve.

"I'm gonna go take a piss." He told Rick, before dragging Ellie along behind him, whistling for Cooper.

"Am I gonna hold it for you or something?" Ellie asked in a jokey voice.

"What?" Daryl asked, arching his brows.

"You're supposedly going to take a piss… and you are dragging me along too?" she pointed out.

"Don't need one. Just couldn't be asked for another conversation with that prick." He grumbles, nodding in the direction of Shane's car.

"Aww, but I really wanted to stay and chat." She teased, watching as his face turned into a scowl. "Joking. Geez Dixon, lighten up. Haven't you heard? It's the end of the world." She giggled. He watched her laughing for a few seconds before letting a grin slip. He liked it when she laughed. He liked the noise she made, a sound like bells and then a small wheeze. He liked the way her eyes lit up slightly and her dimples deepened. He even liked the way her nose scrunched up into a crinkle.

"Daryl?" Ellie asked, snapping Daryl out of his trance.

"Yeah?"

"I asked where you were off to now."

"Oh." He said, shaking away his thought in a very un-Daryl like daze. "Not sure."

"We should head back to the house and see if there is anything we can do to help then." She suggested. She knew there was lots to be done. He nodded and followed slightly behind her as they walked around to the front door of the farm house.

…