Apocalypse Now

Chapter 24: Scout

Anyway...as always Enjoy!

"Ya just gonna stand there?" he says through a yawn, making me jump.

I stood there frozen for a second before I register that I still needed to answer him.

"Didn't want to wake you" I mumble stupidly.

He took the blanket he was using as a pillow and placed it beside him before he turned over mumbling something inaudible. Well he hadn't told me to sleep somewhere else, at least from what I could hear or couldn't.

I kicked off my boots, unsheathed the machete, placing it next to my boots. I lay the blanket down, folding half of it over me. We may have been sleeping on hay but I wasn't about to wake up all itchy from laying on it all night.

I had just closed my eyes when I could hear him shift beside me. I had set up my blanket a few feet away so I could give him the illusion that there was space between us. I didn't want him to assume I was expecting something. This, for now was what I needed, it was because he made me feel safe and I had very few nightmares when I slept next to him. Yes, there had been a few occasions where I would have liked to jump him. But I was still guarded around him, trying not to let things progress that way in case it all turned to shit or I had read all those signals wrong and fucked up big time. He may have kissed me the other day but that didn't by any means mean that we were suddenly going steady or anything. The only problem was that my b:rain found it hard to concentrate around him at times and screamed at me to just jump him already, to just say fuck it throw caution to the wind. I needed a cold shower.

"It still makes you uncomfortable when I sleep next you, doesn't it?" I say, almost regretting saying it out loud.

Silence. Uncomfortable fucking silence...

He shifts again beside me. I inwardly sigh, berating myself on the inside. Should have kept my mouth shut. Again. I don't even have to jump him to fuck this up, my mouth seems to do that spectacularly for me.

I'm now torn, should I stay or should go? I go to say something several times but promptly shut my mouth. The indecision swirling in my head.

After a little deliberating in my head I decide to stay but resolve to turn over, facing away from him, to try and give him more space. The blanket had ridden up a bit, exposing some of my back to the night air. I shivered, then tried to unsuccessfully pull the blanket to cover all of me. After a few attempts I give up, trying to snuggle against the blanket for extra warmth. As I nuzzled the blanket I just noticed how it smelt like him. I couldn't help but inhale his scent, making me smile.

"How was watch?" he mumbled beside me, closer than I thought he had been.

"Um...fine...did have to take out a few walkers. Nothing I couldn't handle" I said trying to sound more confident. "Rick probably won't be too happy with the body parts surrounding the Cherokee in the morning, looks a bit like a sacrifice" I smirked. "Was standing on top of the truck so it made it easier to take them out."

"How many?" he grumbled, sounding a bit frustrated now.

I turned over to face him, seeing he had moved closer. "Six" I said swallowing, expecting a negative reaction. He huffed quietly, sitting up. I reached out placing my hand on his arm, "I had the advantage, trust me. I know you worry"