We walk silently. I think every damn one of us is too scared to speak, worried of any lurkers that hide in the darkness, just gagging to slit someone's throat. Fucking animals.

The pace we are moving at is slow though, my legs unable to force themselves to go faster. Heidi is still fussing around Anna, the brunette snapping back at her every time.

No-one seems to mind our speed, both Jen and Kieran stopping every now and again to study the map, making sure that we aren't heading in the wrong direction. After all, none of us have used a fucking map in years.

Even when I made deliveries for the State they only repaired five roads after the war, the ones connecting each of the cities. It was easy to see which route to take, not a chance of getting lost once you chose left for Manchester, or right for York and Newcastle. I'm so fucking glad to be done with that life.

Yet I'm not sure this new Hell is worth the hassle. At least in the North you wouldn't get fucking killed unless you broke a rule. Here, everyone is fair game.

I never would have brought Emilia South if I knew. I should have left her with Kayla, safe in the farmhouse. I'd be feeling so much fucking better to know she was tucked up in bed there instead of clinging onto my hand for dear life as we walk through these dark, ominous woods.

"Alright," Kieran says suddenly, looking back at all of us. "We've done around five miles. Thrapston is just over there." He points behind us at the dark shadows on the horizon. "We should be able to find somewhere to light a fire with some sort of roof over our heads."

Emilia squeezes my hand and I pull her forward, the entire group descending into a silent walk once more. I don't think I even have the effort to speak, feeling fucking dirty, sweat-ridden, and exhausted all in one.

Grabbing onto an old, rotting farm gate, Jordan wrenches it open and we all walk through, ending up on a small, country lane. The tarmac has been ripped apart by weeds, the surface almost unrecognisable as a road anymore.

We continue, our feet clapping against the surface, far louder now than when we were walking through the trees.

After what feels like hours, but has probably only been minutes, Jen stops, pointing up at a row of what used to be dark terraced houses. Only remnants remain, jagged shapes of walls stretching up high, illuminated in the night sky.

"One of these should work," she says. "We shouldn't stay here for long though."

*~*~*

Anna is cursing at Heidi for the thousandth fucking time as she attempts to bandage her neck with a shred of fabric she found from one of the bedroom sheets. She washed it with some water they found in the stream just behind the back garden, boiling it above the fire they lit in the middle of the old kitchen, a roof only covering half the room. Jordan and Myles have searched for a small amount of broken tree branches and sticks to keep us warm for the few hours we're here.

The December chill is miserable, not the best time of year for us to have started this fucking mission. Why didn't we wait until April, the sun always popping out for a few days at some point during the month? Instead, we'll probably die from hyperthermia if the Slayers don't get to us first.

"I'm going to take a quick dip in the stream," I mutter, standing up from the tiny dining chair and gesturing for Sam to take my place after being curled up on the floor. He nods, sliding into the chair as I step towards the back door.

"You'll catch your death of cold!" Heidi exclaims and I shrug.

"I need to get rid of the stench somehow." I smirk. "You'll all be running for the hills in no time if I don't."

"You got that right." Anna scoffs with a smirk. Heidi glares at her, grabbing back onto the bandage. "Ow!" Anna squeals, pulling away and scowling at Heidi

"Oops!" Heidi grins. "I slipped."

I shake my head at the two of them before slipping out the door into the cool air and instantly shivering. Fucking England.

I saunter down the road, pulling the gate open and listening out for the trickling sounds of water, finally spotting it in the light of the moon.

I don't stop to take off my clothes, figuring they need a wash too, stepping straight into the flowing water.

"Fuck!" I exclaim, gritting my teeth as the freezing cold water touches my skin, already making me regret my decision.

Here goes fucking nothing! I throw my body in, swimming out to the middle and dousing my entire body with the water, eventually standing up and finding that the water still covers me to my hips.

A sudden splash behind me has me alert, whirling around and relaxing at the sight of the person dipping their toes in the water at the edge.

"Fucking hell!" she squeals. "How are you already in there so far? I'm going to die!"

I laugh. "You don't need to come in, Emilia. You don't smell at all."

"Don't lie." She scoffs. "I haven't washed for just as long as you."

"True," I admit as she takes another step, sucking in a sharp breath. "But you also didn't walk thirty odd fucking miles."

"How are you still standing?" she replies and I smirk before swimming back towards her. Reaching out, I grab onto her arm.

"Because I'm Batman, baby." I grin and she laughs before rolling her eyes.

"You know I prefer Superman!" she teases and I quickly yank on her arm, yells and squeals leaving her mouth as she crashes into the sub-zero water, reaching out and curling her arms around my neck. "You jerk!"

"Anyone who prefers Superman is an idiot." I shrug. "You deserve it."

"I do not!"

I merely laugh, my arms curling around her waist, holding her against my body, not only for warmth, but for my own sanity. As much as I wish it wasn't so, she's here, in the South, and she's alive and well. It's all I can wish for.

"We need to hurry up." Emilia's teeth chatter together as she spits out the words.

"I know," I reply, leaning down and pecking her lips with mine, relishing in the contact, "but maybe there's a way to warm us both up?" I grin and she laughs.

"How?"

"The bank looks pretty comfy." I shrug, gesturing to the water's edge.

"It does not!" She shakes her head. "I think it's warmer in here!"

"Alright." I smirk. "In here it is."

Emilia squeals as I dip us further into the water, but I cut her off by slamming my mouth to hers. She's only too welcoming, her hands reaching up and grasping at my hair as she curls her legs around my waist, touching me through my jeans. Fucking hell! I thought the water was too cold, that there would be nothing left of my dick, yet I can already feel it growing, pressing into Emilia, her lips leaving mine to let out an irresistible moan.

"I fucking missed you," I breathe out, her lips grazing mine once more.

"I missed you too," she says, leaning down and sucking my lower lip into her mouth. Well, that does it. My dick definitely isn't affected by the coldness of the water anymore.

I can't help myself, one arm still wrapped around her waist, the other sliding around to the front of her chest, feeling her hardened nipples beneath my palms, doing nothing but sliding my skin over hers, just slightly, enough to have her bucking in my arms, her head thrown back as she attempts to push her tits closer to me. I fucking love driving her crazy.

She's mercilessly grinding against me and I grit my teeth, trying to talk myself out of just dragging her away from the water and ploughing into her. Instead, I want to take it slow, build her up and remind her how a long, drawn out orgasm can make her feel.

Lowering my head to the crook of her neck, I place my lips to her wet, warm skin, my tongue flicking out along her collarbone as her hands tighten on me, nails digging into my back slightly.

"Zac?" A sudden voice calls out and I curse against Emilia's neck as she giggles, hands still wrapped around me. "Emilia?"

"For fucks sake, what, Kieran?" I exclaim, his flashlight suddenly swooping over towards us before he curses, instantly angling it away as Emilia continues to chuckle against my chest.

"Shit, sorry man," Kieran retorts before coughing to attempt to hide his discomfort. "They're all getting antsy in there about you taking so long. We need to all be together to try and stay safe."

"Got it," I reply. "We'll be in shortly."

I hear his footsteps retreating, watching as his torch light dims the further he moves away before it's suddenly gone completely as he heads back into the house.

"Why am I always fucking cockblocked?" I exclaim, Emilia laughing before she finally lets go of me, drifting back towards the shoreline. 

"Come on," she says lightly. "We should get back, and you need rest."

*~*~*

"Alright." Jordan nods, shuffling back on the floor. "That's settled then. As soon as it hits eight we'll be on our way."

"Are we sure there aren't any Slayers around here?" Heidi asks, looking slightly wary as Kieran folds up the map.

Jen shakes her head. "We can never be sure."

"I'll stay up and take first watch," Myles mutters, Jen nodding at his words.

"I'll join you," Sam says, standing up from beside Heidi as she bites her lip.

"Okay," Jordan agrees. "Wake me and Kieran in an hour and we'll swap. Heidi and Jen can take over the hour after that."

"What about me?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows as I look up at them. What the hell? I need to do my part too.

"Em." Jordan reaches over, placing his hand on my shoulder. "You aren't fooling us. We know you've barely slept these last few days."

"So?" I shrug. "Neither have most of you! You can't tell me any of you found that hard ground easy to sleep on!"

"No," Sam admits, "but we also haven't had nightmares keeping us up."

"I..." I trail off, looking away from their pity filled eyes.

"Mils, it's fine!" Heidi exclaims. "Just go and rest for now."

"But-"

"Em." Kieran shakes his head. "If you don't go and join Zac, I fucking will! You're wasting valuable space!"

I laugh at his words before finally giving in, nodding slightly and standing from the cold floor. Sam reaches over as I pass, pulling me in for a quick hug. "It's all going to be okay, Mils," he says softly and I smile.

"I hope so."

"I know so," he counters and I chuckle slightly at his optimism. I wonder if he even believes his own words?

Sam squeezes my hand reassuringly before I let go, leaving the crumbling room and heading for the doorway next to the old crumbling staircase. Turning the door handle, I step inside the room, a fire still flickering on the floor by the shattered window.

There are no curtains, the moon illuminating the room, my husband lying on the left side of the fire, far enough that it's safe, close enough that he can benefit from the warmth. His breath is steady and even, a telltale sign that he's finally fallen into a deep sleep.

His face is peaceful, something I rarely ever get to see these days when he's awake. The sight has me instantly calm, almost like he's my damn anchor, controlling every emotion depending on how he's feeling. I never knew I could feel this way about anyone.

His clothes are hanging off the rickety table in the corner, him stripping them off as soon as we'd entered the room. I didn't miss the way he tried to tempt me into lying down with him, coming up behind me and pressing himself into my ass as I grabbed hold of Heidi's spare outfit, my own clothes joining his.

I'd reluctantly pushed him away and he pouted when I forced him onto a blanket on the floor before covering him up with another. I wanted him, fucking hell did I fucking want him... but he needs more than that right now, he needs rest and I don't have a clue how long we'll be here.

He was asleep within two minutes and I then left the room to talk over our planned route to London.

Now, I can't seem to tear my eyes away from him. He's kicked the blanket partially off, the majority of his leg exposed, yet somehow his fucking modesty is still hidden, almost like he's playing a game with me in his sleep.

The light from the moon only seems to make him more attractive, his cheekbones standing out against the shadows that fall across his impeccable face.

Walking over, I lower myself down next to him, leaning back against the wall as I glance down at him.

It's Zac.

He's here.

He's fucking alive!

I can't even believe it, terrified that I'm going to wake up at any minute, petrified of losing him all over again. 

However, right now, he's safe and he's here with me. I don't plan on ever letting him go, the cocky, stubborn bastard stuck with me for as long as I live.

With a smile I lower myself down to lie next to him, throwing my arm over his chest and listening to his heartbeat, the sound instantly soothing me, the only thing I need to hear to drift off to a calm sleep...

*~*~*

"Slayers!" I shoot upright at the sound of the loud scream, Jen's fearful yell eliminating any bliss I had left as Zac yanks me from the floor, grabbing our clothes from the wardrobe and shoving them into my hand.

I don't have time to react to what's going on before Zac's dressed, pulling the door to the room open and launching himself out of it. "What?" he yells.

"The fucking Slayers!" Jen screams. "They're here!"

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They just can't catch a break...

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