A/N: I don't even know if anyone is still out there, but I've re-read the whole story and I need to continue with it! I miss it so much. So I hope everyone is out there and I'm so sorry for the delay. I'll start ya off with something steamy ;)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Haywire

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him tightly to me, peppering him with kisses. Breathing his name into his hair, I contented myself in his warmth, unconcerned by the water dampening my clothes. This man was something else and he was mine. And I didn't care what I had to do to prove that to Carol.

Or to him.

Plunging a hand into the grimy water, I curled my fingers around his already hardening manhood and gave him a firm squeeze. He hissed, knuckles white as he clenched his fingers around the edge of the tub, "Goddamn, Kit…"

Pressing my cheek to his, I nipped at his earlobe, tracing his jaw with my tongue, "I think you're clean enough."

A guttural groan escaped him, his hot breath fanning across my neck as I massaged the length of him, "I think I'm clean enough."

He made to fling a leg out of the tub, wincing and cursing as he went. He was going to hurt himself even further if he kept this up. I pressed my free hand to his shoulder, running it back along his spine to the small of his back, never removing my lips from the column of his throat. His spine stiffened, his hips jerking, bucking in my grasp.

"Careful, babe," I murmured, trailing my nails lightly across the broad expanse of his shoulders before dragging them to his thigh and hooking a hand under his knee. Removing my lips from his neck, I made to drift back, to see what I was doing, to ensure I wouldn't send the both of us reeling backwards, but he caught me by the hair and practically forced my face back to the crook of his neck.

"Please."

Struggling - and failing - to keep from grinning, I obliged him, heat pooling between my thighs at the sight of him falling apart in my hands. Molding my lips to his skin, I trailed wet kisses across his throat, across his Adam's apple, nipping at his scruffy chin before finally capturing his waiting mouth in a searing kiss.

Easing his leg over the edge of the tub for him, I waited until he was somewhat steady on his feet before reaching for the other. He made it incredibly difficult for me, turning toward me and hooking both arms around my waist. He caught my ass in his hands, squeezing roughly and devouring my mouth. A time or two, we nearly toppled into the soiled, cold bathwater, but managed to keep our footing.

Lifting Daryl's other leg from the tub was proving to be a difficult feat and I parted from his lips long enough to eye the conundrum with a frown. He made a noise of protest, his nose trailing along my face, catching my lower lip between his teeth, refusing to let me stray too far.

"Daryl, I can't-"

He refused to let me finish, surging from the bath and stumbling toward me. My back hit the wall, rattling the medicine cabinet as I went, my hunter half-falling into me and pinning me. Cold beads of water trailed along his skin, soaking through my shirt, my jeans, my bra.

Moaning against him, I grabbed his face in my hands, forcing his sharp, sapphire eyes to meet mine. He panted heavily, arms trembling as he tried to brace himself to keep from crushing me. His gaze flitted to my mouth, his hips rolling against mine, his voice raw as he breathed my name.

I said nothing until he returned his gaze to mine. We had made love plenty of times, fooled around and fell hard, giving into each other more times than we could count. But this was different. I needed him to know that despite his rough demeanor and sharp tongue, there was no one in the world I would rather be with, no one who came anywhere close to him. Fuck Shane, fuck any other guy who had come before him. None could touch him, and none deserved to even stand beside him.

And Carol? Well, I hadn't taken a living human's life yet, but if she came sniffing around my hunter again, she'd be testing that boundary. She'd be lucky if she got away with no more than a busted lip; I could guarantee Rick and Shane would have to pry me off of her with a crowbar and hope to God I didn't use that crowbar against her.

When I was sure I had his attention, I quirked a brow and smirked, "You're mine."

A feral growl tore from his lips, a dangerous grin stretching across his alluring lips, his voice raw, "Prove it."

That I would.

Stumbling through the threshold, I tried my damnedest to ensure he didn't hurt himself on the way. He didn't concern himself with his health, though; he powered, albeit clumsily, toward the bed, where we fell together in a tangle of limbs.

He groaned, his head hitting the pillow; he fell away from me and lifted a hand to his temple.

Concerned, I stroked his bandaged forehead, "We can stop if-"

"Don't stop," he groaned, reaching out a shaky hand and brushing his knuckles along my jaw, "don't you fuckin' stop…"

Catching his hand, I ran my own up, along his arm, over his taut shoulder, and into his hair. He tilted his head, lips molding to the inside of my wrist.

Lowering myself down over him, I returned my free hand to his rock-hard manhood, giving him a gentle stroke.

"I'm the only one who ever gets to do this."

My mouth soon followed my hand and a jagged moan tore from his lips, "Christ... Kit, fuck…"

His hands fisted in my hair, keeping me firmly in place; staring up at him, I couldn't help but be amazed. His face twisted in beautiful agony, he unraveled quickly, all at my touch. If I had any inkling of doubt, if his fierce, reassuring words hadn't done the trick, this… this surely did. I owned him, just as completely as he owned me. We were two halves of a stunning, albeit surprising whole, complimenting each other in every way.

How I had survived life before him, I'd never know.

He fell limply against the pillow, fingers loosening their painful grasp from my hair. He panted, nearly wheezing, clutching at his wounded side with a frown.

The elation, the power flooding through me fled quickly and I scrambled to my knees beside him, gnawing worriedly at my tingling lips, "Are you alright? Did I hurt you? Should I-"

"Imma pay you back for that," he muttered gruffly, catching my hand as I went to check his stitched and drawing it go his mouth. He drew a finger into his mouth, tongue twirling around the trembling digit and sucking hard. His eyes glittered darkly, dangerously. "Tenfold."

Fuck. I couldn't help the tremor from my voice as I noted somewhat hoarsely, "I look forward to it."

A tiny grin crossed his lips and he took the opportunity to tug me down, half-sprawled overtop him. Shifting, I tilted my head to eye him curiously, chin resting over his pounding heart, "Sure you wouldn't be more comfortable by yourself? I could-"

He lifted his head, his gaze unyielding as he stared down at me. There was a hint of disbelief in his resolute tone, one I should have expected after my dominant display; still, I found myself flush with desire as he murmured, "Kit, ain't no place I'd rather you be than right here. With me."

My heart flopped painfully in my chest and I withheld a moan of disappointment that I cared so much about his damn stitches. Instead, inquired a hopeful brow and queried, "Tenfold?"

His smoldering grin told me all I needed to know; contented, I lowered my head to his chest and slept.

I needed to get away.

If one more person came looking for me - be it to hound me about secrecy like Lori, pester me about every little thing like Shane, apologize to me like Andrea, or get underfoot because I had become something of a superhero like Sophia - I was going to blow.

With relatively so few people left in the world, it was terrible to think I couldn't stand any of them in that moment.

Except for my hunter, and he was - reluctantly - bedridden for the foreseeable future, and Jake.

So, at the moment, Jake and I were exploring Hershel's farm. Rick had given us the go-ahead, though I would have done it with or without his approval; I'd rather have someone know where we'd gone off to if we didn't return in good time.

Though I threatened his manhood if he told the next person who inevitably came looking for me where I was. He laughed, somewhat uneasily, and agreed to keep it to himself.

Jake cradled Winfield to his chest, chattering excitedly about his favorite superheroes. I had always been a major geek when it came to that sort of thing and, before the outbreak, had boxes upon boxes of comic books back home. When Jake was old enough, I'd let him read them; it was something we had always bonded over and, when I would come home on spring break or for the summer, he would dive into conversations hours long to fill me in on all the stories he'd read while I was gone. My heart hurt to think back on those times, those carefree, simple times… I made a mental note to look for comics for him the next time I went on a run; he would enjoy that, and so would I.

Ambling steadily toward the barn, I eyed him and the raccoon with a grin. The little masked critter was getting bigger, filling out just like his owner now that we were actually able to have somewhat regular - and larger - meals.

Hershel refused to let Winfield into the house, but Beth would always offer my brother a wink - to which he would flush wildly, his cheeks a shade darker than his hair - and let him inside to give the little raccoon a bath or find a blanket for him to curl up in when her dad wasn't looking.

"Who would be the best superhero to fight walkers?"

"Deadpool, no question," I replied with a laugh, envisioning the red-clad Merc with a Mouth fending off zombies with his swords and having the time of his life. Hell if that wouldn't be amazing. He'd survive anything and love every minute of it.

"I don't know," Jake muttered with a frown, eyeing me accursatorially, "you never let me read those comics."

"Maybe someday, buddy," I replied with a laugh, ruffling his hair and smirking as he ducked and shifted away from me, "trust me; you'll be fine holding off on Deadpool for another ten years. So who's your choice?"

"Superman!" He exclaimed, pumping a fist into the air, "he could shoot them all with his laser vision! He'd be like pew pew! Bsshhhhhhhfttt!"

"Kit."

"Shit."

"Cat!"

"And you think you're ready for Deadpool?" I snorted, shaking my head and fisting my hands on my hips. He had no idea. Though I would have loved continuing our conversation uninterrupted, I couldn't leave the increasingly unstable sheriff's deputy waiting. Rounding on the tall, muscular man, I queried tersely, "What is it, Shane?"

Raising his hands in surrender, he stared, brow furrowed in bewilderment, "Jesus, girl, what's your problem?"

Refraining from growling, 'you,' I exhaled heavily, chewing on the tip of my tongue, "Just… wanted to get away for awhile. People have been on my ass since we got back."

Shane nodded, rubbing a hand over his shaved head, eyes flitting downward; standing off to my side, he had a clear view of said ass and I was certain he took full advantage of it.

With a sneer, I turned to face him fully, ending his abrupt ogling of my ass and folding my arms across my chest. Well, that did me no good; his eyes flitted to my breasts and lingered there far longer than they should have. Knuckles whitening as I curled my fingers around my forearms, I flushed and fought the tremor itching at my spine. I failed, a shudder running through me, and a haughty grin stretched across his face. He cocked out a hip and flexed his muscles, lifting his chin and eyeing me appreciatively.

What the fuck?

Did he think- no. He didn't think that I was into him, did he?

The swagger in his step as he approached me told me hell yes he did.

Stepping back, I frowned, plastering my most unimpressed stare to my face, "So what do you want, Shane? I'm sure you didn't just come out here to spend time with me."

"What if I did?"

"That would be weird," I answered hastily, cautiously, glancing toward my brother, grateful for his presence. Shane wouldn't attempt anything in front of him, would he? Obviously, he thought I was into him and I was purdy damn sure he was - or at least, thought he was - into me. Not to mention, he had straight up assaulted Lori; who's to say he wouldn't try the same with me?

Try being the key word.

The second he even made to lay a hand on me, he'd be on his knees, his dick sliced off and lying uselessly on the ground.

"C'mon, Kit, weird's a little strong, isn't it?" Shane queried, dark eyes smoldering in the bright sunlight. Dropping his tone, he cast a surreptitious glance over his shoulder at a perturbed Jake, tilting his head to one side and smirking in what I'm sure he meant to be an alluring manner. "I mean, you're a beautiful woman, and strong, and smart. Funny. Sweet. I could go on, Kit, really. So better question, why wouldn't I want to spend time with you?"

"I've got a list," I retorted with a glare, looking around his bulging muscles and offering my brother a warm grin, "let's keep going."

Shane grabbed my arm, tighter than I appreciated but loose enough to keep me from overreacting and chopping off his dick, "Kit, I-"

"Cat," I growled, teeth bared, nostrils flared. He didn't deserve to call me by the nickname my lover had bestowed on me.

Lip curling and jaw clenching, Shane released me with a hiss, "You go by it, don't you? You let him call you that. Why shouldn't I be allowed to call you that? What's he got that I don't got?"

His sanity, for one.

I couldn't bring myself to say it. I didn't know what he would do, what he could do, if I admitted that I didn't trust him. Didn't think he was all there. Was afraid of him.

And I couldn't risk Jake's safety, if he decided to turn on him to get to me.

"I.. It's not that, Shane," but it is, "I just- this isn't the appropriate place to talk about something like this," there's never an appropriate time, "I came out here to get away from everyone, not you," specifically…

The tension drained from his shoulders, his fists relaxing, uncurling; I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding. A grin suddenly darted across his face and he drew me to his chest. The move was so sudden, unexpected, that I couldn't pull away from him before his lips brushed against mine.

Inhaling sharply, I fought the urge to slug him when he muttered gruffly, desirously, "You wanna let Dixon down or you want me to take care of it?"

Wrenching myself from his grasp, I stared, wide-eyed up at him. He merely returned my stare, unfazed by his words, his threat.

"I never said-"

"You don't gotta," he winked, stroking my cheek and stepping back before my fist made contact with his jaw, "calm down, girl. You don't gotta pretend with me. Your brother's not gonna say anything… If you don't wanna talk to Dixon, let him down easy, I'm just sayin', you don't gotta ask me twice to get him to back off. I can handle it."

"Handle it how?"

When Shane dropped his gaze, I hurriedly caught Jake's eye over his shoulder. My brother was staring, aghast, at the deputy, clutching Winfield to his chest. Brows high on my forehead, I drew his attention away from Shane; when he met my gaze, I jerked my head violently toward the farmhouse.

'Go!' I mouthed, 'go find Rick. Not. Daryl. Now!'

He was reluctant, his backward footfalls hesitant; still, the furious glare on my face sent him trudging cautiously away from Shane. The deputy's head snapped back, watching him go, before catching my panicked gaze before I could school my features.

Instead of snapping like I knew he would, he offered me an unexpectedly knowing grin, "You send him off?"

"I-"

He closed the distance between us, a chuckle escaping him as I stepped back; he simply followed me, nodding slowly and eying me delightedly, "You don't gotta play games with me, Kit. I know you don't want Dixon; you can't want Dixon. I've seen the way you look at me-," like you're deranged, I moaned internally, which you clearly fucking are, "I know you've seen the way I look at you. Christ, you're beautiful."

"What about Lori?"

The words flew from my mouth before I could stop myself and I blanched, my heart flying into my throat. But he simply rolled his shoulders, rubbing his jaw vigorously and avoiding my gaze, "Nothin' goin' on between Lori and I. What she and I had, it ain't what you and I have."

We don't have anything! I wanted to scream, there's nothing between us! There never has been and there never will be! I need to get out of here.

But would he let me go? He wasn't anywhere near his right mind; would he draw his gun on me if I tried to run? I mean, I was armed, I would defend myself if I had to, but shooting him? Would it come down to it?

"I thought we could go for a walk, maybe spend a little quality time together?" Shane queried, brows wiggling suggestively, taking another step toward me and sending me closer to the woods. Peering over my shoulder, I refused to allow myself to get pinned between him and a tree; I'd take off like a rocket into the trees if I had to. "Maybe head to the barn? Have a roll in the hay? I've been wonderin' what it'd feel like, being inside you… Take you every way I can…"

"Shane… I need to get back. I need to get back to Daryl."

"Fuck Daryl!"

His face turned a mottled purple and he stalked forward. The gun was in my hands before either of us could blink, though I couldn't bring myself to level it at his face. I wouldn't, not unless I had to.

He lifted his hands in surrender, a disbelieving laugh escaping him despite the rage burning in his almost black eyes, "You wanna shoot me over that stupid, ignorant, ugly motherfucker, Kit? Really?"

I wasn't forced to make such a drastic choice, though the desire flooded my veins like lava, as heavy footfalls came racing our way. Rick's voice was deep, concerned, as he called out my name, his hand straying to the Colt at his hip as he stared, wild-eyed, at his friend.

The look of disgust, of rage, sweeping over Shane's face sent me another few paces backward; he schooled his features quickly, easily, as he rounded on Rick. The friendly, almost detached smile crossing his face sent a wave of nausea through me and I couldn't help but be desperately grateful for Rick's intervention. A shaky breath escaped me and I found myself stepping around Shane, praying he didn't reach out for me again.

He didn't and I nearly bolted.

I didn't, simply meeting Rick's gaze with as much impassivity as I could, "Yeah?"

"I been lookin' for you," he responded breathlessly, his shrewd gaze flicking between the pair of us, "Daryl's up; been askin' for you."

"Kit-," Shane muttered, face contorted in confusion, "what about-?"

Bolstered by Rick's presence, I offered the bigger man a believably sympathetic smile, "Shane, I'm with Daryl. That's not going to change. There's nothing between us, no matter what you think."

"You don't believe that… you can't," he growled, starting for me once again.

Rick planted himself firmly between us, arms folded tightly across his chest, "Shane, no. Leave it. Let her go."

"You gonna tell me what to do?" Shane snarled, "hmm? You?"

Rick reached a hand behind him, toward me, though he never once turned to face me, never once took his eyes away from the frantically pacing deputy. Rick's voice was steady, though I could feel the concern rolling off of him in waves, "Cat, go. Get back to the house. I'll take care of this."

"Rick-"

"Go."

I trusted Rick knew what he was doing with his former friend. I had to. My presence was only making things worse; Shane couldn't look away from me, his shoulders rolling, his lips tightened into a thin line.

Alrighty, then.

Spinning on a heel, heart in my throat, I ignored Shane's panicked voice calling after me as I dashed toward the farmhouse. I refused to look back, scared of what I might see.

How did such a glorious day turn into something so terrifying? Shane wasn't the same man he had been when I'd met him on the road. Maybe he had never been that man, but hid it well beneath a well-crafted mask.

Whatever the case, I couldn't be near him again.

My hands shook as I reached the porch, hands on my knees as I doubled over and wheezed. Whether it was from fear or the run, I couldn't tell; waving away a concerned Glenn, I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and shivered.

Glenn persisted. His dark eyes were wide, brows knitted high on his forehead; resting a hand on my shoulder, he queried anxiously, "Are you okay? Were you by the barn? What did you see? Did you see inside?"

"Just bullshit testosterone shit," I panted, resting a hand on my forehead and willing my fingers to stop trembling, "why? What's in the barn?"

He gaped, mouth opening and closing like a fish, before being rescued by my favorite gray-haired mother, "Are you serious, Cat? What did you say to him? He won't even look at me! Why would you-"

She screamed when I pounced, trying desperately to fend off my flying fists.

/

Somewhat of a cliff-hanger, but I wanted to make sure you'd come back! Please let me know what you think! I know you're all probably pissed at me for taking forever, but please don't send me too much hate!

xXx Tinkies xXx: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I hope you're still out there! I promise there won't be a gap in updates like there was here.

NothingNooneZero: Thanks. Haha I can't wait either! She's gonna be a little distracted by Shane for the moment though I think.

Purple Dragon Ranger: Sorry for the delay! Glad you like it!

Mrs. Marie Woods-Winchester: I know, Carol just doesn't know what she's getting herself into.

Chikixie: Hi! I'm so glad you're enjoying it and that you like my writing style! I really appreciate it. I definitely understand what you're saying regarding Daryl's hotheadedness when it come to Cat. For me, at this point, I see it as he still sees himself as an outsider compared to the others. And he doesn't see himself as as good of a man as Rick may be. Rick is a strong leader, likable, friendly; the kind of guy he could see Cat going for over him. Shane, of course, is a creep, so he's definitely not okay with him being alone with her. And, stemming from his past, I feel like he didn't get much of what he wanted, especially when it came to Merle; I think Merle probably took what he wanted at Daryl's expense, so Daryl feels like he has to defend what he sees as his against any threat, even if they really aren't. As time goes on, he'll get less defensive of her around Rick, the closer he gets to him in later episodes and seasons. Does that make sense? I hope it does. And yes, I cannot WAIT for Merle to get back and find out about Daryl and Cat ;)

MichelleCarter96: thank you so much! I'm so glad you feel that way! I've been trying to do it justice and keep everyone in character!

MsKrissy: haha I know right? I don't like her either and I think that comes through pretty obviously lol. I can't wait for more Cat/Carol conflict hehe

Sevvus: aw thank you so much! I know; I don't think a mother would be so unfazed. I mean, I know she was upset, but nothing would stop me from being out there looking for my daughter. I'm so glad you like my Daryl! I tried to make him in character, but put my own twist to him. Yeah it's not that they don't trust each other, but they want each other so badly and care about each other so much and they're afraid it's not enough. Ohh I would LOVE for Cat to be on the show; they would be so adorable!

Hyperactive: ahh thank you! Oh yeah, Shane's getting shit started. I'm glad you're liking it!

Daphne Whitlock-Potter: hey thank you so much! That really means a lot to me; I try so hard to get everyone in character and make them believable and relatable. I know, I'm glad they haven't gotten together yet; I'll be mad if they ever do!

Nininininininini: thank you! I know it's been forever since I updated but I never ever thought about abandoning this story. I've taken the others off for now because I don't know when I'll get the chance to update them.

Fox-star: Thanks! I'm sorry it took so long to update. I'm excited to see her and Carol go at it and as for Shane being interested in her, he's just unraveling and I think he was probably somewhat of a womanizer before the apocalypse and just needs a woman in his life. If he can't have Lori, he's going to go after someone else.

T : Aw thank you so much! I'm sorry for the delays! Have you caught up on the show? I love Boondock Saints, too, and can't wait for a third!

Sousie: sorry for the delay!

CrystalVixen93: I'm sorry for the slow updates but I hope you like it!

Guest: thanks! I hate her too lol

19irene96: I hate her too! I hope you liked this chapter!

AnarielLadyoftheWoods: Thank you so much!

Mischievously Me: Thanks! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I couldn't kill her off; I was going to, but I needed them to save her. I just hated that in the show and I wanted her to make it! It causes good conflict between her and Carol too haha. I may kill her off; haven't decided yet ;)