Never Wake The Dead (TWD Fanfic)

**Chapter 24-Bonding**

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I've been bed ridden for the last 2 days, Daryl hasn't left my side. I snuggle up closer to him and stare at his face, watching the way his face twitches while he dreams. I got so lost in his features I failed to see his mouth turn into a smirk until it was too late, "Like what you see?" He jokes, I smile, "Yup" I tease, "Take a picture' it lasts longer" he shoots back teasingly, "You can't go stealing my lines you little terd demon" I joke, he looks at me before bursting in a howling outrageous laughter, "What the hell is a terd demon?" He asks through laughs, "It's a word I made up" I joke and look back at him, he smiles and leans in for a kiss.

"I'm ready to get up" I say, "One more day?" Daryl asks, I smile but shake my head, "Daryl, I need to get up and moving" I say, he nods and stands up and holds out his hand, I take it and stand up. He helps me outside, "I got it" I say and push him away gently, I limp and cringe in pain for a moment, but then I start walking, which turns to jogging, then sprinting. I receive a few confused expressions from some of the group, I shrug the off and sprint down the asphalt and into the trees.

I run smack into something solid and hard before going sky high and spinning, I look down to see Daryl with a HUGE cheesy smirk, "Feelin better, eh?" He teases still holding me in the air above his face like a father would an infant, "You can put me down any second" I tease, "You sure you can walk?" He teases with what is now forming a smile, he sets me down and I chuckle, "What?" He asks, "I never thought I'd see the one and only Daryl Dixon smile" I tease, "Yeah, well I never thought I'd see the one and only Jade Morrisette in action" he retorts in a playful tone! "In action?" I ask, "Yeah, you were killin it, you impressed everyone. How'd ya do that?" He asks, "That's what you get after 7 years of gymnastics and track, and not to mention running from your father all your life" I say, he shrugs and scoops me up bridal style before walking away.

He carries me into camp, "Hey Jade, good to see you up and moving" Dale says, I smile, "Thanks Dale, you too" I say, "Hey Jade, can I talk to you for a second" Lori says, I look at Daryl he sets me down and I walk over to her ignoring the throbbing in my foot, "I'll be in our tent, come see me when yer done" Daryl yells, I smile and walk over to Lori.

"What's up?" I ask, "I don't know what I can do to thank you" she says, "Don't do anything, just leave it simple" I say with a shrug. "I can't just leave it at a simple thank you, you saved Carl's life, my little boy" she says, I smile, "Lori, its Ok. Your welcome" I say, she leans in fr a hug, I hug her and dismiss myself, "Let me know if you need anything" she says. I smile and walk over to my tent.

I walk in and two arms wrap around my waist before spinning in circles and crashing to the ground. Laughter rushed over my body and I looked up to see Daryl smirking, "I win" he taunts, I smirk now, as the greatest idea pops into my head, I stare into his eyes for a second, before pushing him away and running out of the tent, "I'll beat you to the lake!" I scream and run.

I'm about 12 meters from the lake when I'm scooped of the ground bridal style and pulled up close to Daryl's chest, "Your a cheater!" I whine, he smirks, "Am I?" He teases, "Come on baby brother, let the Blondie win" I hear Merle tease, Daryl looks at me ad shrugs before walking up the bridge and holding me over the side, "Daryl, don't you dare" I tease, he smirks and drops his arms, I prepare to hit the water but I don't, I look up and Daryl starts laughing. Then he actually drops me in, the water feels refreshing, I come up out of the water, "Mr. Dixon!!" I say, "I said I'd beat you here, I didnt say I wanted to go in" I joke, he laughs.

I put my hand up for him to help me, he grabs mine and I pull him in, he hits the water and let's out a scream, I smile. He comes to the surface sputtering, "You got water in my nose" he jokes, I laugh and swim away from him, "Where ya goin?" He asks, "I don't know, the waterfall maybe" I joke. He smiles and starts swimming over.