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Emmalyn and Sophia were amazed at the sight of the Greene farm where their group had set up camp a small distance from the family home. "You two go ahead," Daryl told Glenn and Sophia, the two nodded before they continued walking sharing their stories about their experiences during the time away from each other. "Are you okay, Daryl?" Emmalyn asked with worry in her eyes. He stepped closer before scratching the back of his neck, "Look, uh... I ain't good with all that emotional shit so... Ya had me panicking these past few days and I realised why." Emmalyn nodded allowing him to speak knowing how difficult this was for him, that's the one thing about the Dixon brothers; emotional shit ain't their style. No chick flick moments for them.

He stood silent for a moment just looking at Emmalyn, she noticed the new look in his eyes that seemed like he was having an internal battle until he sighed, "I ain't gonna miss this... This hell we live in now, the risk of losing someone... I ain't gonna lose yer, I want this." He stepped forward placing his hand on her face, "I need... us." She smiled before leaning up to kiss him, "So do I." His hands gripped her waist as he deepened the kiss. It was just the two best friends in the moment accepting the next step of their relationship, Emmalyn had been dreaming of this day since she was seventeen years old and here she was in the arms of her true partner, Daryl Dixon. And he was in the same mindset, he finally had the girl of his dreams in his arms, safe and alive.

He pulled back slightly and for the first time in a long time, Emmalyn saw a genuine smile on Daryl Dixon's face. She had met Daryl in her preteen years, the two had become fast friends and then the best of friends who hung out everyday to escape their separate homes with the safety of each other. She had never seen this glint in his eyes, he was looking at her like everything in his life was right despite the world falling apart; and it was completely true, his life was feeling that way. Emmalyn slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, Daryl's arms wrapped tighter around her waist as she connected her lips to his moving slowly, almost teasing him.

He groaned slightly before pulling her closer to him, kissing her with a hunger that made her knees weak. His tongue glided slowly across her bottom lip asking for access, she playfully declined which led him to squeeze her ass causing her to gasp slightly allowing him access. He was letting his own instincts take over, his past desires and let them out without any hesitation knowing that she was right there in his arms. After a few moments of intense kissing, they pulled away for air. She smiled at him as she spoke, "I never expected the Daryl Dixon to be so affectionate, kind of expected distant unless completely alone with limited intimacy." He rolled his eyes before shrugging slightly, "It's the end of the world, Darlin', gotta take every chance ya get."

Emmalyn smirked,  "Just glad you ain't taking Merle's advice." He raised his brows making her laugh slightly before adding, "He always spoke about how chicks were for one thing, except me, no guy was good enough apparently." A sly smirk appeared on his face, "Well, 'xcept me." Emmalyn rolled her eyes at the playful glint in his eyes. She attempted to step out of his hold but he grunted in disapproval before resting his head in the crook of her neck once again shocking her with the affectionate side of Daryl Dixon. "Don't go disappearin' on me like that again," Daryl told her. She smiled before letting out a sigh, "I ain't gonna go trying to disappear, you know that." He pulled back and placed his hands on either side of her face, "I mean it, Emmalyn, I ain't losing ya."

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As the now couple approached the group, Carol was holding her daughter close to her with tears falling down her face. She lifted her head with a grateful smile as she stood up and approached Emmalyn, "Thank you for keeping her safe!" Emmalyn smiled and hugged her back as she spoke, "She saved me actually, took down a geek to save me." Carol pulled back with a surprised expression before turning to her daughter who was smiling proudly. Carol walked back to her daughter praising her bravery as Daryl walked up to stand next to Emmalyn, "Let's get your leg looked at and then ya can see Carl." She nodded as he grabbed her hand.

They headed in the Greene Residence and Daryl led Emmalyn into the living room where he made her sit down as Hershel walked into the room. "I'm Hershel Greene, you must be Emmalyn," Hershel introduced himself as he placed his med kit to the side and sat down beside her. "Nice to meet you, Hershel," Emmalyn greeted as the older man removed the makeshift bandage from Emmalyn's leg, Daryl tensed as the severity of the wound that had been clearly irritated by the constant movement and the lack of medical care since it happened. "You're very lucky that its not infected," Hershel told her as he cleaned it with the right medical items to ease the cut before he began stitching it.

"No heavy lifting, limit how much walking you do and no extensive actions," Hershel warned while looking from Emmalyn to Daryl making the woman laugh and shake her head. "Your call, boss. I'm sure Daryl would survive," Emmalyn said with a wink while Daryl scoffed and looked away with tinged cheeks at the innuendo. Emmalyn hissed at the wound being stitched, she looked around the home and admired the different photos on the wall of Hershel and his family along with small pieces of Religious declaration. "You have a beautiful home," Emmalyn told Hershel as she ignored the pain in her thigh. "Thank you," Hershel replied to her as he finished up.

With the newly stitched stab wound bandaged, Daryl helped Emmalyn walk into the guest room that had Carl laying in the bed recovering from the shrapnel wound he had suffered. "I'm gone for a few days and everything turns to shi─" Emmalyn is cut off by Rick wrapping his arms around her, Daryl steadied her but held a small smile on his face seeing the relief in Rick's face at the sight of the woman. "You're okay... I was so worried when I got back to the highway and you both weren't there... I thought I'd lost my little sister," Rick whispered to her making Emmalyn's heart clench in joy, she viewed Rick as an older brother and knowing he viewed her as family made her happy.

"I'm okay, Sophia's okay... we're all okay,"  Emmalyn assured him before they pulled away, he nodded his head at Daryl before stepping aside allowing Lori to step forward and hug the woman as well. "He just--" Lori broke into sobs as Emmalyn rubbed her back fighting off her own tears at the sight. "Everyone will be okay, we are gonna survive through this," Emmalyn reassured Lori until her breathing slowed down and the tears dried up. They spoke for a little bit until Emmalyn told them to go shower, eat and rest. She walked over to the bed and sat down next to Carl as he slept soundly, soft snores leaving his mouth.

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Emmalyn had closed her eyes for a while when she heard the door open then close, she opened her eyes to see Daryl standing there before he asked, "Are ya hungry?" She nodded before turning to Carl carefully brushing his hair aside before kissing his head. Emmalyn got up and limped her way over to Daryl with a small smile, "How long do you think we'll stay here?" He shrugged slightly before smiling lightly, "Who knows? I'm sure they'll let us stay a while." Emmalyn nodded before walking out the door with Daryl following behind her as she approached the large group sat together eating dinner.

Emmalyn sat down and Carol instantly handed her a plate as Glenn spoke, "Tell us everything that happened!" A wide grin rested on his face and it made Emmalyn smile before she sighed, "Let me eat first." He laughed and nodded, they spoke while she ate her food but the moment she had put her plate down everyone turned to her with eager faces. She laughed before leaning into Daryl's side, his body stiffened momentarily and she went to move away to respect his boundaries when it came to physical touch, his arm wrapped around her waist holding her closer.

Emmalyn began telling everyone the story about her and Sophia's experience in the woods, she had emphasized that no one was at fault of what had happened and that Sophia was greatly capable of more than just hiding behind the adults. The others, including Beth and Maggie Greene who had joined them were completely stunned by what happened along with pride by Sophia's actions. "If the parents allow, I would love to teach Carl and Sophia basics of survival, you never know when something goes wrong. Maybe Hershel could teach them basic medical training as well," Emmalyn offered to Carol, Rick and Lori. While both mothers weren't too keen on it, Rick was immediate with agreeing and emphasizing the importance which had Carol accept with Sophia's own encouragement.

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After everyone began wandering off to their separate tents to turn in for the night, Emmalyn had approached Hershel and thanked him for everything he had done for her family. He explained that Rick had spoken highly of Emmalyn during the unstable condition of his son and that Rick tried his hardest to stay sane through it despite the lack of her presence. It warmed Emmalyn's heart as she looked at Rick, a small smile resting on his face as they locked gazes. She nodded her head at him before wishing Hershel goodnight, heading off in the direction of Daryl who had been waiting for her.  "I guess I'm staying with you then," Emmalyn said to him once she stopped in front of him.

He looked at her with a blank expression as he grabbed her hand and lead her over to his tent, stopping in front of his tent. Emmalyn noticed the tree resting behind her and she leaned back against it with a smirk on her face as Daryl moved things around in his small campsite secluded from the others. Daryl finished up what he was doing and turned to her, he stood there for a moment as she fiddled with the hem of her jacket. He walked over to her and placed one of his hands on the tree beside her head, she looked up at him considering he was taller than her; her head usually rested under his chin.

He looked down at her before sighing, his free hand pulled her hair out of its ponytail letting her fiery orange hair fall over her shoulders. He then placed his hand on the side of her face, his thumb traced over her bottom lip before he leaned down to kiss her. She could feel the change happen between them, this kiss was so different to the ones they've shared before. It was slow and passionate, speaking volume about how he truly felt about her -- about them. Emmalyn's body shivered as he pulled away from her, moving his hands down to her waist, it was quiet between them but the silence spoke a thousand words and she finally felt like she was truly safe.

Daryl let Emmalyn get changed in the tent before they climbed in the sleeping bag together, his arms were wrapped tightly around her with her back to his chest. Emmalyn let out a slow content breath as she relaxed completely in his arms, she couldn't fight the walls that went down as her guard dropped with it knowing that Daryl wouldn't let down his guard, she took the chance to truly relax. It didn't take her long until she was giving in to the exhaustion of no sleep for the past few days, Daryl's hold never loosening. And she felt certain that maybe they finally had somewhere safe to make their home.

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Rosemary Speaks

I've come to terms that some will not like Daryl and Emmalyn's "fast burn" but I do not care any longer if you don't like that. I am loving their bond and I will write it how I wish.

Thoughts, Suggestions or Questions?

See you in the next chapter!