Forbidden ~Book One~ Daryl Dixon~

She's My Wife

When the walkers eventually cleared off, Daryl still held Tina close, he could feel her gripping onto his torso tight, "its morning, we should find breakfast" he whispered to her nudging her off him and slowly lifting the trunk helping her out. "Im still damp" she cringed feeling her clothes, Daryl smiled "we will see if we can find you some clothes as well" he joked "well i dont like being wet unless it was worth it" she teased causing Daryl to pull a face "its too early for that" he said shaking his head at her smirking.

"Do you still hate me?" She finally asked breaking the silence as they strolled down the open road "da hell Teen? I dont hate you" he muttered looking at the floor as he paced along "so why did you ditch me after Merle? It was like i was nothing" Tina confessed putting her heart on the line "i didnt" he muttered looking uncomfortable "you pushed me away and then never came back to me" she sighed trying to get through to him. Daryl exhaled and muttered something but Tina couldnt make it out "Merle died T, and you were more interested in putting him down" he admitted causing Tina to pull a face and laugh sarcastically "he put us both down every day, and he beat you to a pulp after all! He didnt deserve our tears" she stated matter of factly "he was our brother Tina! It doesnt matter what he was or wasnt" Daryl sneered at her completely changing the mood of the walk, "so your dad beat you and Merle daily and then came into my bedroom at night and your telling me you would cry for him?" Tina pointed out Daryl shook his head instead of answering her "Merle may of not of been like your father but he treated you like shit, the whole time he was beating on you my heart was breaking, you being hurt upsets me" Tina said trying not to let her watery eyes shed tears. "But the fact you said he was 'our' brother proves to me that you still see me as your sister" she added walking ahead of him. As much as Tina wanted to walk out of his sight she was scared of being alone as much as she hated to admit it she still wanted to stay within his sights.

Tina became lost in her thoughts as she walked, going over and over what she wished she had said Daryl and how he drives her crazy when he is like this when she crashed into a figure, letting out a noise as she nearly fell back she found herself face to face with a group of bandits, all eyeing her up and down like she was fresh meat, one of the members helped her keep her balance holding his hand out to her which she took and let go of pretty quick, turning back to see Daryl picking up the pace and catching her up. "The names Joe" the lead bandit introduced himself "Tina" she muttered nervously looking back to Daryl who had caught her up and was glaring at the men, Joe was now looking at Daryl to introduce himself "thats Daryl" Tina said as he didnt take his glare from the men. "Where you two heading then?" Joe asked eyeing Daryl up and down as the other men toyed with their weapons in front of the pair. "Just somewhere" Daryl replied lacing his fingers through Tina's which he held tight. "You together?" Joe asked circling the pair "she's my wife" Daryl remarked pulling Tina closer to him. The other men murmured to eachother probably about Tina being unavailable to them she wasnt sure. "I see your a bow man...you see a man with a rifle could of been anyone before, A teacher, or photographer but a bow man is a bow man through and through, ive been looking for one myself" Joe explained but his last comment made Daryl raise his bow at Joe causing the others to aim at Daryl as Tina stayed close to him "you shoot me, these guys here will kill you. Suicide is stupid man, why hurt yourself when you could hurt others?" Joe warned with a small snigger. Daryl lowered his crossbow slowly "come on lets get breakfast" Joe motioned with his head to the direction of the crossroad ahead. The men walked ahead while Joe hung back with Daryl and Tina. She felt safe Daryl holding her close but she was unsure about following these men, especially when Joe mentioned they were looking for a man who killed one of theirs the day before.

As Joe walked ahead Tina pulled Daryl back "what are we doing? These guys are looking to kill a man? We cant be involved in that" Tina whispered, but Daryl pulled her along to keep up "and im your wife?" She quizzed him making him stop and grab her shoulders "do you want these men to rape you? Do you? Just stay with me on this and we will sneak off at night when we can but for now we are safer with them ok?!" Daryl warned her she nodded at his words and trusted him. Joe turned to see what they were up too before they caught him up, to him they were probably having a lovers spat.

Coming across an abandoned warehouse Joe told them this is where they would be staying for the night. Each member yelled "claimed" as they tossed their belongings at empty cars leaving Daryl and Tina rather confused "oh, you see we live by a simple rule here. You say claimed its yours, simple. Works with food, weapons, where ya sleep, oh and women" Joe explained winking at Tina. "So seeing as you guys missed out you get the floor. Better luck next time" he smiled. Huffing Tina sat down on the cold hard floor that would be her bed for the night followed by a scowling Daryl who was watching the other men climb into the empty cars to rest. Huddling closer to him for warmth and from being creeped out by the men she whispered "we go tonight?" "Nah. We cant yet" he stated and rolled over onto his back lifting his arm for her to nuzzle into his chest, it felt good being near him like this, his smell still giving her butterflies and her heart skipped a beat when she felt him trace his fingers on her upper arm as she lay on him "all for show right?" She asked in a whisper looking up at his face, Daryl hesitated for a bit before answering "yea, i guess".