Suddenly...Gone

Chapter 7

Daryl knocked on the screen door of Emma's trailer and he heard her call out to come on in. He stepped into the living room. It was neat, clean and very homey. He saw how the small touches she had from throw pillows, to pictures and knickknacks made a difference. He had lived sparsely his whole life, never needing to spend money on anything but the essentials. Emma's trailer was a home, his was a place to sleep. Nothing more.

Emma was in the kitchen wiping down the counter. "I spilled one of the glasses of tea I poured for us," she told him. "I'm such a klutz sometimes."

"I saw you carry out multiple plates for food at the diner and didn't drop them."

"I know can you believe that? But give me one glass and there it goes," she laughed. Emma poured another glass of tea and placed it next to the other one on the counter. Then she opened the oven and pulled the pizza box out. "Keeping it warm for us. If you want to take the drinks, I got the box and we can settle in by the TV."

Daryl picked up the glasses and followed Emma into the living room. She placed the pizza box on the coffee table and opened the top. "Oh good plain cheese, that's my favorite," Emma said grabbing a slice.

"Mine too." Daryl put the drinks down and grabbed a slice for himself.

There was a slightly awkward silence while they ate the pizza. Daryl knew he was awful at small talk. He could not think of a single think to say or ask. His head went completely blank.

Finally Emma spoke, "Busy at work today?"

"Enough to keep me doing something all day. Mack comes back Monday. I just hope he's okay with everything I did. Seems like I took in a lot of money, but who knows?" he answered. "How was yours?"

"Slow breakfast, but busy lunch...and I didn't screw up any other orders," Emma laughed. She grabbed another slice from the box.

Daryl teased her about messing up his order and it seemed the ice broke as the conversation kept flowing. After they practically finished the entire pizza with Daryl doing most of the damage, the box went back into the kitchen, as they got ready to watch the movie.

Emma popped the DVD in as Daryl check out the case. "Didn't expect this," he thought. Here he was getting ready to sit through some chick flick and she has Fast and Furious. "You like this?" he asked.

"Yes and no," she told him. Emma could see Daryl was confused. "I got it because Paul Walker was in it."

Daryl laughed and Emma grabbed the remote and turned on the movie. She sat down on the sofa near Daryl, but not super close. She did not know if this was a date or not, so she was playing it safe. She would have preferred snuggling up with him, but they weren't there...yet.

It was a good movie and they both enjoyed it. When it was over, they both were much more relaxed with each other. Conversation came easily, but it was all general topics. The deeper personal questions still remained. Where are you from? Family? Anything to do with their past hadn't been brought up.

Meanwhile, Daryl was having a silent battle with himself. Should I hold her hand? Should I kiss her? What if she doesn't want that? He was so confused on what to do. He didn't date. He didn't do relationships and he had no idea what to do now. He was nearing forty years old and felt like he was fourteen.

Emma went to get more tea and when she sat back down on the sofa, she was definitely closer to Daryl. He took that as a hint to make a move, no matter how small he needed to do something. Just when he got up the nerve to hold onto her hand, his phone rang.

"I'm sorry," he said to Emma and pulled it out of his pocket. He flipped it open and saw it was Merle. He didn't answer it. "It's my brother. I'm gonna ignore him."

Then he called back again.

And again.

"You better answer it,' Emma told him.

Daryl didn't say anything to Emma, he just flipped open his phone and said "What?"

Emma watched the one way conversation and could tell that Daryl wasn't happy. He got up from the sofa and started pacing the room. "Bro, why did you go with that asshole? You know you can't trust him. No, I don't want to come pick you up. Why? I'm busy." Emma could tell that Merle was talking. "No, it's none of your damned business what I'm doing. Merle...No."

Daryl started to run his fingers through his short hair. Now? Merle needed him to come pick him up now in Dentonville, which was almost two hours away. The guy he went with took off without him and he had no way to get back. This completely ruined his time with Emma. Fuck.

"Fine. Be there in a couple of hours. Where you at?" Daryl turned to Emma, "You got sumthin' to write with?"

She ran to her small desk and grabbed a pen and pad and handed them to Daryl. "Okay, what's the name of the bar? The address? Just fuckin' ask someone, bro. C'mon." There was silence for a second and Daryl didn't look at Emma. "Two hours," was all he said before hanging up.

Daryl finally turned back to face her. "I gotta go."

"Where is he stuck?"

"Dentonville. I'm sorry Emma. I was...really having a nice time," he told her.

"Me too," Emma said with a smile. "I...could go with you if you wanted?"

Daryl immediately knew that was a bad idea. "No. Appreciate the offer and any other time would be fine, but not now and not with Merle. I'm too pissed off to be civil to him and he's been drinking. If you came I'd probably end up killing him. His goddamned mouth is gonna be in overdrive and you don't want to be around it." No way was he going to allow Emma to come. He had no idea what he would find when he got to Merle. Drunk...yes. High...probably. Obnoxious...most definitely.

Emma didn't need to see this or to see him when he had to deal with Merle this way. Again he wished he had a normal brother or at least one that knew when to keep his mouth shut, instead of spouting off the crap he did.

He appreciated her offer, but no she couldn't come. "Understand?" he asked.

Secretly Emma was relieved. "Yeah, I do. Careful driving. It's a long trip both ways."

"I'll pick up a coffee on my way. I'm sorry Emma," he apologized. He was going to kill Merle anyway.

Emma moved so she stood right in front of him. "Not your fault, so don't worry. Just stay safe." She stood on her tip toes and gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Daryl put his hand under her chin and leaned in and kissed her on the lips. He surprised himself in doing it. It was soft, tender and loving. It lasted just a few seconds, but it was extraordinary. It brought to the surface emotions that Daryl never thought possible. He needed more from Emma, but he couldn't have it...not now. Fuckin' Merle.

Emma touched Daryl's scruffy cheek. The unshaven look really worked for him she thought. The feelings that were whirling around her she had never experienced before. Even the guys that she thought she had loved, their kisses never touched her the way this simple kiss did. It made her weak, yet excited at the same time. "I'll be here when you get back," she said softly.

"As soon as I can," he told her not wanting to leave. Daryl forced himself to walk out the door silently cursing his brother the entire time. Just when everything was going perfectly...the Dixon Curse hit. If it can go wrong, it will.