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On a wing and a prayer

A debt

"Fancy meeting you here Daryl" Jesse laughed madly pointing his gun at his head.

Putting his hands up Daryl slowly rose to his feet, staring at him while Jesse continued

"I was just at Boondocks looking for you, but here you are"

Daryl swallowed hard

"Joe dead?" He asked

Jesse frowned

"No. As luck would have it your stupid brother was there talking to him. They were acting funny around me so I got out of there. I figured you'd show up here eventually, so all I had to do was wait. I was right" he grinned cocking the gun.

"Jesse wait," Daryl said softly "There's something wrong with Willow...I don't know if you hit her too hard or if it's shock or what but she's unresponsive...she needs a doctor Jesse. Please or we'll both lose her" Daryl lied

Daryl watched Jesse's face as he thought about this. If he could just distract him for a few seconds he could go for his gun until they both heard the chain move from below.

"Liar" Jesse snarled "I should have known, it's what you're good at. You lie to Willow all the time about all your other girls. I know Daryl, I know who you are and it kills me that she chose to love you instead of me"

Daryl's heart skipped a beat at hearing she loved him.

"That's why I need to remove you. She will never give up on you...I mean if she's OK with you being all over another chick and then goes and screws you in the lake anyway, what kind of shot could I ever have with her?"

Daryl stood there stunned that Jesse had watched them in the lake.

"Goodbye Daryl, I'll take real good care of her"

A second gun clicked and pressed against Jesse's head

"Now I know you're not pointing that thing at my brother" said Merle who had crept up silently behind Jesse. "Drop your gun son...it's over" Merle said quietly.

Jesse's arm stayed raised for a few more seconds and then began to drop slowly but in a last ditch effort, he tried turning on Merle. A shot sounded and Daryl and Merle watched as Jesse's lifeless body hit the ground. Daryl bent over letting out a long slow breath.

"Thanks bro" he said quietly, still a little shaken

Merle nodded

"Yeah, good thing I showed up. C'mon let's git yer girl" He said softly

Daryl shook his head

"He's got her chained. I need to find bolt cutters or something to pry it off. I saw some tools in the barn, might be something there that will work" Daryl explained

Merle nodded

"I'll go check the barn, you check on her...I'll be back in a hot second" Merle said heading towards the barn

Daryl watched him walk away and called him to again

"Merle" Daryl watched as he turned around "Thank you. Seriously"

Merle nodded and headed through the trees.

Daryl climbed down the ladder and stepped on the ground seeing her curled up in a ball on the bed. Sitting on the side of the bed, he rubbed her back and spoke softly

"Willow?"

Seeing her eyes closed and not moving, Daryl's concern grew. Wrapping the thin blanket around her, he scooped her up and held her on his lap still rubbing her back and talking to her softly. Daryl looked as Merle climbed down the ladder with thankfully a pair of bolt cutters. Merle looked at them and frowned.

"What's wrong with her?" Merle asked

Daryl shook his head

"I dunno...shock probably. I'm sure she heard the shot go off and thought the worst" Daryl said softly.

Merle looked around at everything

"That dude was one sick puppy. Looks like he planned on keeping her down here for a long long time"

Daryl nodded looking around

"How did you find me bro?" Daryl asked

Merle gave him a small smile

"Well, after I saw your little freak out, I knew something pretty bad was going down so I went lookin' fer ya. Went to Boondocks and ran into Joe and he told me a little about what was going on, that's when ol' kookoo for cocoa puffs showed up. He said he needed to talk to you little brother and when Joe told him you weren't there, he lit on out of there so I followed him and found y'all"

Daryl nodded still so grateful Merle showed up

"Daryl?" He heard her whisper

Looking at her face, he smiled and kissed her softly.

"It's OK, you're safe now. I'm getting you out of here"

He could tell she was still a little bit disoriented as she stared at him.

"Here girlie, let me see that leg so I can clip that chain," Merle said walking over.Willow's eyes widened looking at him then back to Daryl

"Merle here saved the day," Daryl said softly "Jesse pulled a gun on me when I climbed out but Merle showed up and pulled one on him"

Willow nodded, it was coming back to her

"I heard a shot," she said softly "Jesse?"Daryl nodded

"He's dead. He tried turning the gun on Merle and Merle shot him" Daryl explained

Willow nodded and rested her head on Daryl's chest watching as Merle took the bolt cutters to the band around her ankle. Feeling the pressure gone and hearing the contraption hit the floor she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, let's git ya outta here," Merle said

Willow looked at Daryl

"I don't have any clothes, I don't know what he did with mine."

Daryl thought for a moment

"Bro can I ask for one more solid? Will you go back to Boondocks and tell Joe we're OK? I'm sure there's a big bottle of thanks he'll have for you if you do. The town isn't but a couple miles away, I'm going to take her there and see what we can do about getting some clothes for her...I think I might stop in and see the doc and tell them where they can find Jesse"

Merle nodded

"Suit yourselves...see ya in a bit"

Willow watched Merle start to climb the ladder

"Merle?" She called softly

Merle stopped and looked at her

"Thank you"

Merle nodded

"Just be good to my brother, we'll call it square"

Daryl and Willow watched as Merle climbed the ladder and disappeared up above.

"You ready?" Daryl asked her kissing her sweetly

Willow nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck hugging him tightly.

"Keep the blanket around you shoulders. It's not a lot of protection but at least it's some." Daryl said softly

Daryl climbed first and waited with his hand out at the top waiting for her. Looking over seeing Merle had dragged Jesse's body behind one of the piles of debris, he was grateful and owed him another one. Taking Willow by the hand and helping her up the last step, he watched as she breathed deeply.

"I didn't know if I would ever be outside again," she said softly.Daryl wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly until her shakes lessened. Looking at the woods and then at her, he turned his back to her and bent down

"Hop on" he said

Willow looked at him apprehensively

"It's OK Daryl, I can walk" she said softly

Daryl shook his head

"You don't have shoes and my bike is hidden in the woods. You can't walk through there with no shoes, hop on or I'm gonna throw you over my shoulder" he teased.

It made him sad not to hear her laugh but he felt her climb on his back as he lifted her up and began the walk back to his bike. Letting her down on the road, Daryl went back into the woods and picked up his bike, pushing it to where she stood. Picking her up and setting her on the bike, Daryl tucked the blanket around her to help keep her a little protected. Sliding on the bike he felt her arms go around his waist holding on tight. Daryl fired up the bike and rode at a slower pace back to the town.

Seeing a shop with clothes hanging in the window, Daryl pulled the bike up and slid off, helping her off the back. Walking inside they were greeted by a nice older lady who looked curiously at Willow but didn't ask any questions. Willow walked through and found a pair of jeans, a flannel, socks and boots. Heading for the dressing room, she stopped as Daryl said

Willow, I'm going to go-"

Daryl stopped mid-sentence seeing the look of pure terror on her face.

"Right over here" he finished quietly

Willow nodded and walked into the dressing room. Daryl stared out the window thinking about what just happened. It killed him inside to see her that afraid. What else had Jesse done to her? He could feel his anger burning, wishing he had been the one to pull the trigger. Turning and seeing her walk back out, she walked over handing him his T-shirt. Slipping off his vest and sliding both back on, he settled up with the lady then left the shop. He had thought about going to the hospital and telling the doctor about Jesse in case they wanted to bury him, but after her reaction to him leaving...Jesse can rot for all he cared. Sliding back on the bike and feeling her arms encircle him tightly he knew she was holding on tight for more than just the ride. He could not wait to get her home, hoping she'd feel a lot more safe and secure there.

Pulling in front of Boondocks they were met by Merle, Joe, and Harlin. Joe looked so relieved he thought he might cry. Daryl watched Joe wrap his arms around Willow, giving her a bear hug but the blank look on her face gave him great concern. She hadn't cried, gotten mad or anything since he found her. It was either a blank look or one of terror.

"Have you guys eaten?" Asked Joe

Daryl shook his head

"Na, I thought about going to the diner in town but I figured getting her home was more important"

Daryl stared at her and immediately knew she was about to crumble. Willow's knees buckled but he swiftly grabbed her before she could hit the ground. Picking her up, Joe and the rest watched as Daryl carried her through the bar and out the back door to the trailer. Laying her on her bed, he sat down next to her watching until she came to.

"What happened?" She whispered

"You passed out," Daryl said softly "Willow I think the stress of everything that happened is getting to you. Sweetheart, you can't keep it all inside, you haven't cried or gotten mad or anything since I found you."

Willow stared at the ceiling and whispered

"I'm just so afraid...it's the only thing I can feel right now"

Daryl stretched out next to her and wrapped his arm around her

"I know" he whispered "and I'm not going anywhere until you're not afraid anymore"

Willow turned on her side and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her forehead to his chest. Rubbing her back Daryl listened to her breathing until he knew she was asleep. Getting off the bed quietly, he walked into the living room to a very concerned Joe.

"Is she alright?" Joe asked

Daryl nodded

"She's asleep. She's really been through it Joe, I'm not a doctor or anything but she hasn't cried or anything since I found her and I think keeping all those emotions bottled up is causing her to breakdown. Probably wouldn't hurt to have a doctor look at her though. He beat her up pretty good as you can see by her face plus he knocked her out pretty good when he took her."

Joe nodded

"I'm going to have Harlin drive me to go see Dr. Mike and bring him back just to be safe."

Daryl nodded

"I'm going to go back in there...I told her I wouldn't leave until she wasn't afraid anymore. I don't want to disrespect you and your home by sleeping in her bed but I'm not leaving her"

Joe looked at Daryl a little surprised but liked that he was a little old fashioned when it came to respecting him and Willow and their home.

"Daryl, you can stay here for as long as you like, even after this is behind us"

"Thanks," Daryl said and walked back into the bedroom and softly closed the door.

Crawling back on the bed with her, he wrapped her in his arms and watched her sleep. Looking around her room, he smiled seeing his birthday note still propped up against her mirror. Kissing her forehead then her sleeping lips, he was so grateful to be laying here with her he felt he might break down. He hadn't realized how badly it had scared him almost losing her. Looking down into her face he smiled as her beautiful blue eyes looked back at him

"Hi" he whispered

"Hi" she whispered back "I was so afraid you were a dream, but you're really here"

"I'm here and I'm not going anywhere but you may regret giving me an opening like this" he grinned

"What do you mean?" She asked

"I told your grandpa that I wasn't leaving your side until you felt better and he told me that even after things are better I still don't have to leave...so looks like you're stuck with me because I'm not ever leaving now..."

Daryl watched as a small smile crossed her lips as she pulled him closer and whispered

"Good"

It was small but it was a start at getting her back to who she was.

"You hungry?" He whispered

"A little," she said "but more than anything I want to take a shower"

Daryl thought a moment

"How about you go get in the shower and I'll get us something to eat?"

Willow nodded and reached up touching his face.

"Thank you" she whispered

"For what?" He asked

"For being here," she said,"Where else would I be?" He smiled hugging her tight.

Daryl watched her walk to the bathroom and went into the kitchen looking in the fridge. Seeing some hamburger meat wrapped up, he smiled remembering her love for greasy cheeseburgers. Walking to the bathroom to see what she wanted on her burger, his heart about ripped out of his chest hearing the sobs coming from deep inside her soul. Opening the door quietly, he saw her sitting on the shower floor in complete devastation. Slipping his clothes off, he walked into the shower and lifted her up off the floor. Holding her close, letting her rid herself of all her fear, anger and sadness. Kissing her softly as her sobs lessened, he poured the soap in his hands and began washing her hair. Moving his hands across her shoulders, he sucked his breath seeing all the bruising.

Grabbing the wash cloth he cleaned her body, washing away any trace of Jesse. Rinsing her hair and skin. Turning off the water Daryl guided her out of the shower and wrapped her in a big fluffy towel, kissing her on the tip of her nose.

"You good?" He whispered

Willow stared at him

"Maybe not good just yet, but I will be" she smiled softly.

Drying himself off and slipping on his jeans Daryl went back to the kitchen to finish their meal while Willow finished dressing. Walking into the living room she watched as he made the burgers and couldn't resist hugging him from behind, kissing him on the back.

"Greasy cheeseburgers, my favorite" she smiled softly

"I know" laughed Daryl "this is one tip I won't forget to get in your good graces" he teased

Daryl and Willow sat and ate dinner having small talk, keeping things light and simple

"You want to go to the bar?" she asked as they cleaned up their dishes.

"Up to you," Daryl said leaning over and kissing her softly.

"Maybe we could stop in for a little bit, I'd like to see grandpa. I know I saw him earlier but I don't remember too much about it"

Daryl nodded

"OK, let me get my shirt," he said walking to Willow's roomWillow walked in behind him grabbing her brush and started on her hair.

"Daryl," she said quietly "Did you mean what you said about staying here...with me for awhile?"
Daryl looked at her

"I'll stay as long as you'll have me," he said softly "why?" "I was just thinking you're going to need some clothes and stuff." She answered

Daryl nodded

"Yeah, we can go tomorrow. I'll show you the shack" he said with a wink.

Daryl and Willow walked into the bar and they both saw the relief on Joe's face.

"You guys eat?" Joe asked

"Yeah, I made the burgers you had wrapped up" Daryl answered

Joe nodded

"Good, I was hoping you guys would make those."

The three made small talk while Joe tended the bar until Willow stared yawning. Kissing her grandpa on the cheek and getting a really tight hug from him, Daryl walked her back to the trailer to get ready for bed. Laying in each other's arms Daryl smiled looking across the room.

"You kept my note," he said looking at the canvas

Willow smiled

"I had to, it was the corniest love note I had ever gotten" Panic hit her not meaning to imply he loved her. "I mean a note from a guy..." It was no use, she screwed up.

Feeling Daryl move closer she looked into his eyes as he kissed her softly at first, then completely.

"Willow" he whispered as she looked at him "I love you" as he kissed her again. "I never planned on it or never really thought about it happening but this morning after I left and went home, that's when it hit me...and when I almost lost you... I knew there couldn't be one more day that could go by without me telling you."

Willow couldn't stop the tears that fell down her temples.

"I love you too" she whispered "only I've known it for much longer" she smiled

"When?" He smiled

"When you handed me my pencils. It was one of the most sweetest, amazing, thoughtful, wondeful things that has ever happened to me and I knew right then and there I could love you for the rest of my life, which is probably why I freaked out a little, plus you know...Tonya" she rolled her eyes.

Daryl chuckled kissing her slowly but deeply as Willow slid her hands softly across his chest and down his muscular arms to his waist, pulling him closer to her.

"Willow? He whispered "are you sure? We don't have-"

Willow cut him off by kissing him urgently.

"I don't want him to be the last person to touch me. I want you to take that away" she whispered
Daryl stared at her

"Did he...maybe you should see a doctor and make sure everything is OK before we..." he said with concern.

Willow shook her head

"He didn't rape me. He tried but I fought him off, I bit him then punched him in the face" she said bitterly.

Daryl stared at her and smiled softly

"I kind of figured something like that happened. When I was waiting in the woods for him to leave so I could check the house, I saw he had gotten popped pretty good. I knew it had been you and I was so proud of you for fighting back" he said softly. "And now, I'm going to kiss every inch of you"

Willow watched intently as Daryl placed sweet kisses on her arms, breasts, stomach and legs. Feeling his hands gently grab her calves, she watched in slight surprise as he lifted them, putting her legs over his shoulders. Willow bit her lip as his volcanic mouth licked and kissed her inner thigh as her entire body ached for him. Willow let out a soft moan as his mouth finally found the center of her desire. Licking and teasing her throbbing bud of passion, she left his tongue enter her, tasting her honey and molten desire. Wiggling her hips as his mouth drove her crazy she cried out as her need for him consumed her.

"Daryl...please" she whispered

Feeling his mouth leave and kiss and lick his way up her stomach, then to her breasts, she felt him enter her and was completely filled. His strokes were deep and steady as her hips met his feeling the waves of passion roll off their bodies. As his strokes became more urgent, hearing him moan her name, the blissfulness of his lovemaking brought her to the height of ecstasy as her body burst with their passion leaving her floating softly as she felt him reach his own climax.
Laying there still kissing and touching bathing in the afterglow, Daryl lifted his head hearing the trailer door open and close and then footsteps down the hall. Hearing her grandfather close his door, he looked at her and grinned.

"I think maybe the house needs to be built before the shop" he whispered "I care about your grandfather like he was my own, but I'm not giving this up for anything so it's either the house gets built pronto or we buy him a life supply of ear plugs"

Willow couldn't help as laughter bubbled out. Covering her mouth with wide eyes, she giggled softly again

"I get your point" she whispered kissing him softly.

Curled up next to him with his arms wrapped around her, Willow felt warm and safe for the first time since the abduction. Listening to Daryl's steady breathing as he slept, she listened to the soft sound of his heart as she closed her eyes, hoping it would help her sleep and keep the nightmares away.

Willow walked into the living room the next morning watching her two most favorite people in the world eating breakfast, sipping coffee while talking quietly. Daryl turned and smiled softly, getting up and kissing her sweetly,

"Morning," he said softly as she smiled and said good morning back.

Kissing her grandpa's cheek telling him good morning, Willow sat down in the empty chair grabbing a piece of buttered toast.

"What are you boys up to?" She smiled breaking off a piece of the bread and eating it.

"Well" her grandfather started "Daryl's going to run home for a bit, and I know you'll probably want to go with him, but Harlin is on his way back with the doc to check you and make sure everything is OK"

"Grandpa I'm-"

"No arguments Willow" he said soft but firmly "you gave me a right scare there yesterday when you passed out and he's going to check you over, like it or not. Besides I didn't argue when you wouldn't let me help with the bar, so if you could do this for your old pops I would appreciate it"
Willow looked at him tenderly hearing him call himself pops, a name she had called him as a kid. They had come so far since the first time she landed on his doorstep.

"OK" she smiled

"I can stay and wait until he's done and you go with me or I can go now and be back by the time he's done" Daryl asked "It's up to you... doesn't matter to me either way"

Willow thought a moment

"You can go now." She said. She knew there was no way he could be with her 24/7 and she needed to get used to being away from him at least for a little bit at a time.

"You sure?" Daryl asked

Willow nodded

"Yeah, I feel better today. Not completely there, but better. Besides I don't need you both hovering while the doc is here...one worry wart is enough" she grinned

Daryl snorted and threw his napkin at her getting up from the table.

"Alright, I'll be back," he said leaning over and giving a slow soft kiss that gave her butterflies deep in her belly.

Looking at her grandfather across the table, she could feel her cheeks turn pink. It was still a little strange kissing in front of him but she'd get over it just as long as those kisses kept coming from Daryl as she watched his winged back walk out the door.

Daryl pulled up in front of the shack, glad to see Merle's chopper parked out front. Walking inside he was not prepared to see Merle sitting on the couch looking very worried and perhaps a little frightened. Looking up at Daryl, his tough guy mask was back in place as he nodded to his brother.

"Hey, little brother...how's that girl of yours? She alright?"

Daryl nodded, touched by his concern

"Yeah, she's better. Doc is looking at her now but I think she's going to be just fine" he said quietly.

"Good...good," Merle said looking away.

Daryl knew there was something really wrong with Merle and it was scaring him a little.

"What's going on Merle?" Daryl asked

Merle stood up and started to pace.

"I saved you...saved you both...you remember that right?"

Daryl nodded, watching him walk back and forth.

"So...you owe me a debt...right?"

Daryl did not like where this was going.

"Yeah brother, I owe you one. What's going on?"

Merle stopped and looked at Daryl.

"Well...I owe a debt myself. I'm in pretty deep to Tiny with all the drugs and stuff and he's ready to collect now."

Daryl let out a long slow breath

"What do you owe him? I'll see what I can get together to help you" Daryl said quietly

Merle shook his head

"He doesn't want stuff Daryl, he already has a lot of stuff. He wants me to hit this settlement and...it's big...a lot of people... but they have a lot of guns and ammo. If I can bring back the guns and ammo then I'm in the clear. I can do this, but I can't do it on my own." Merle said staring at Daryl

Daryl's heart sank.

"Bro...I told you I'm done with all that" Daryl said just above a whisper

"Yeah I know" Merle shouted "Fine for you having a girl and a shop and a place to live! Joe told me all about your plans. When were you planning on telling me? Or have I been replaced by a new and better family?"

Daryl's guilt was eating him up. He had planned on telling Merle but with everything that happened with Willow it just got pushed to the back burner.

"No" Daryl said softly "You will always be my brother...but there's got to be a different way...let me talk to him"

Merle shook his head

"He said if I didn't do it, he'd get somebody else and that would mean the end of me. I saved your life little brother...now will you save mine?" Merle said quietly staring at Daryl

Daryl stared at the floor for a long while then nodded his head.

"When do we have to leave?" he said quietly.

"By the end of the week" Merle explained "it will be the weekend and patrol is a little more lax.

I've scouted it a little bit already.

Daryl nodded and grabbed his backpack, stuffing it with clothes.

"I'm going to stay a few days with Willow but I'll be back Friday morning and we'll go". He said gruffly

Merle nodded

"Thank you brother...see you Friday"

Daryl walked out and sat on his bike staring out into space. How was he going tell Willow about this and get her to understand why he had to do it?

Notes

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