It's been two weeks since the kiss, and Daryl and I have literally both been avoiding each other like the plague. I haven't been around much anyway since I've taken on some extra hours at work, because the holidays are quickly approaching. Liam loves Christmas and after we moved here our traditions died along with my mother's holiday spirit. So aside from everything else I have to create the holiday magic around here. Liam still believes so I try to really make it special for him. Every year so far Ethan has helped me bring home a tree for him, but this year looks like I'll be on my own, since I'm not sure how much he remembers from Halloween. He hasn't spoken to me either.

Thanksgiving is about two weeks away and thankfully I'll be working the closing shift, which means Liam gets to enjoy his holiday with the babysitter and her son Ryan. I'm thankful that she's taking him in to enjoy a nice sit down family dinner. Our thanksgiving consists of me buying Turkey TV dinners while Travis, Liam and I sit in front of the TV and watch football. I think it's the only time that I find Travis somewhat normal. I don't even like football, but Liam does so I try for him.

I finish washing breakfast dishes when I hear the sound of Ethan's truck pulling into the driveway. I didn't invite him, so I'm pretty confused. I throw the dish towel back in it's place and head outside to meet him. He's out of the truck walking towards the door by the time I get outside. He jogs over when he sees me and we meet half way.

"Hey."

"Hi. What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Can we talk?"

I'm not sure what else there's left to say. We both know where this relationship is going, and that's nowhere. I lead him towards the front steps and we sit down at the bottom. It's quiet for a few minutes.

"I'm sorry about Halloween." He apologizes.

"It's fine."

"I hate that you hate me," he says.

"I don't hate you Ethan. You've just changed that's all," I say.

My eyes look over at him and he's fidgeting, like a lot. His leg is bouncing up and down. I put a hand on his knee, but I get the feeling I probably should have kept my distance. His eyes linger on my hand before meeting my eyes, they are bloodshot. I knew it.

"You're high," I say.

"I'm not high Chloe." I know he's lying being this close I can smell it on his clothes. I miss the old Ethan so much.

"You can leave," I say removing my hand from his knee.

"I'm not going anywhere," he says.

"I said, you need to leave don't make me repeat myself," I go to stand and he pulls me down hard. I almost bite my tongue with the force of the impact on the step.

"The fuck did you did that for?" I raise my voice.

"I'm trying to talk to you."

"Maybe come back when you're sober."

He looks at me like he's offended I even accused him. The old Ethan would never have even touched a cigarette. He drank from time to time, but always thought smoking anything was stupid.

"I am sober," he turns and grabs hold of me pulling me in for a kiss.

I try to push him away, but his grip is strong. He takes his hand and forcefully puts it up my shirt. He's got me good because unlike the other night I can't pull away. He gets to the edge of my bra and I use all of my strength to push him off of me.

"Get off my property Ethan or I swear to god I'll call the cops!" I yell.

"Why don't you want me anymore Chloe?" he yells standing.

"Because your acting crazy!" I yell.

I stand and walk closer to him. I take his hand and squeeze it.

"I know your better than this Ethan, this isn't the real you," my voice catches in my throat.

"It's me now." His voice is almost robotic.

He steps forward and tries to grab me again, but I back away tripping over the step. I fall onto my ass and he's right there standing over me breathing heavily.

"We're done," I tell him.

"I don't believe that," he says.

"Leave!" I yell.

"No, not till you..."

"She asked you to leave."

Daryl's voice booms so loudly, I jump. I don't know how long he's been there but he appears from the side of the house. He's looking like he might pounce on Ethan any moment.

"Daryl I didn't ask for your help," I warn.

"Get out of here now if you know what's good for you," Daryl growls ignoring me.

"Who is this clown," Ethan says.

"Ethan just go!" I stand and start pushing Ethan towards his truck.

"This guy doesn't scare me," he says.

"Ethan c'mon," I say.

He grabs my wrist hard and pulls me with him, I yelp from his touch. Daryl steps in and throws him onto the grass. Ethan goes to stand and Daryl lunges forward. I grab Ethan to try and pull him back towards his truck, but he pushes me back and I stumble, but don't fall.

"Enough!" I yell.

"Fine!" Ethan says.

"You better watch your back man," Ethan threatens Daryl.

"Ethan just don't."

"Fine. Have fun fucking this guy, just a heads up she's prude," he says.

This time Daryl doesn't go after him I do. As he starts to walk away I attack him jumping onto his back. He doesn't fall over. Daryl comes over and grabs me off of him. I want to hit Daryl, but I don't. In silence I watch Ethan take off, and I know from here on out that our friendship is over.

I push past Daryl to get into the house, but I'm stopped when he grabs my wrist and gently brings me close to him. I stare down at the brown grass blowing in the wind.

"Chloe, look at me."

I don't, I keep my eyes on the ground.

"Chloe, damn it look at me," he says again.

When I look up I see concern in his eyes. I bite down hard on my lip trying not to cry. He cups my face in his hands holding me there.

"Did you hurt you?" he asks.

I start to shake my head no, physically I'm okay mentally I'm not. My shake turns into a nod, "Not physically," I whisper.

"Good, because I'd probably have killed him," Daryl says.

"Why?" I whisper.

I look into his eyes and they go blank. I know he's not going to answer my question. I already know Daryl is not the type of guy to actually share his feelings, he may show his emotion, but he won't talk about it. That's one of the many things I've learned about Daryl Dixon in the few short weeks I've known him.

"Why Daryl?" I ask again.

He looks down and starts to examine my wrist where he grabbed me. It's slightly red, but not much. "Where else did he grab you?" Daryl whispers running his fingers over my wrist causing a shiver to course through me. His eyes follow his finger up my arm and back down again. The fire I always feel is burning me up inside. Every part of me tingles when he touches me.

I then take his chin in my hands and make him look at me, just as he did to me. I wish I could read his mind to know if he feels anything. I'm not sure I can pretend that I don't feel something anymore. He pulls himself away and starts walking towards the house. What the fuck? If he was just going to walk away like he always does why did he even bother?

"I don't need you to protect me," I yell. "I've got my big girl panties on and I'm totally fine without you butting into my life!" I walk over and shove him, he doesn't stumble but he does stop. I push him again angry that he keeps jumping in to save me then leaves. For a minute he's still, he doesn't even acknowledge me. When I think he's about to walk away he spins around and grabs at the back of my head pulling me to his lips. I gasp as our lips touch and just like that night our kiss deepens. I push him up against the side of the house and he turns me so that we swap positions. Our hands move over each other quickly as we are both egger to explore each other. He takes my face in his rough hands and caresses his thumb over my cheek. I moan into his mouth causing him to kiss me deeper.

He pulls away when he hears the sound of motorcycles coming up the street. He looks over as they come into view and starts to walk away leaving me breathless and completely tingling down there. I've never had anyone kiss me like that. I run a hand through my hair and retreat into the house as Merle gets off his motorcycle and heads to Daryl. I shut the door and lean against it for a minute trying to catch my breath and thoughts. How could I go from pushing Ethan away for touching me a certain way, then letting Daryl kiss me in that way? I'm more fucked up than I thought.