"Stupid stupid stupid! God she wanted to be noticed and you acted like the big dumb guy. how could you do that?" He put on his socks and boots. He put on the motorcycle coat just in case she was the thrown stuff type. "Stupid stupid stupid." Shaw went out side in the cold and stood at the dock where her boat was still. "I don't know if you can hear me but I thought you looked really pretty. I should of told you but it was hard to breath. See it's been a while and I didn't want... I just wanted to be nice to you. I think you are gorgeous. The sweater was very, shoot. It was making me hot. Honestly I think highly of you. I'm flattered that you would wear that for me." He waited for a pot or an anchor, anything. nothing came.

She as probably crying her eyes out. Shawn was angry at himself for treating her that way. He needed the cold night air to help fight the anger at himself. He walked to the edge of the dock toward land. It was dark but a clear sky helped him see the sweater near the trash can. "She wouldn't... Damn!" Shawn ran back to his boat grabbing the gun and the crowbar the machete if things got ugly. "You jerk! You didn't even warn her. Now she is out there half dressed in a city of walkers." He grabbed the helmet and his empty bag. "Half naked in the cold. If she dies.." Shawn slapped his face. "Gotta find her." He locked the boat and jogged to the trash can he picked up the clothes, putting them in his bag, and headed out.

He thought to himself. "Think. Where would she go?" Most people run in a strait line. He headed out in that direction. Calling out for her was out of the question it would draw everything in the city to them. He looked for light and checked the hotels for signs of life. It cost him a few run ins with walkers. People who shut themselves in and died in the room. He still went in and made sure Olivia wasn't in there with them. He sighed and wiped the tear from his face. He grew mad. "If we live through this I'm going to kiss the life out of her." He searched throughout the night fighting walkers and searching random buildings she might of taken rest in. He grew desperate as the watch on his wrist signaled the approaching dawn. She would be safe during the day. There was less things to bump into. Not to mention warmer.

Shawn was tiered and his coat was torn. No sign of Olivia. Her boat was still docked so she hadn't slipped past him He walked up the dock and onto her boat. It was unlocked. He knocked and wiped another tear from his face. He walked off the boat leaving the docks behind him. He made it over to his boat and set the alarm four hours from now. When he awoke he took the cell phone with half a charge and a thermos of coffee and left into the city. Wearing the same thing he wore yesterday. He would search half the city, he left notes in marker on walls. "Olivia I'm sorry."

Exhausted and out of coffee Shawn started to come back as the sun was setting. He must of walked twenty miles and god knows how many fights of stairs. He slept for most of the day. When Shawn finally did wake up it was late and he kicked himself for sleeping the whole six hours. He got up and left. This time without coffee. using the phone he divided the city up be grid and marked the buildings he already left notes in as counted. Shawn went at the search for Olivia this time more focused. Still after half the second day and all the night he came back to the docks empty handed. At mornings light on the third day he climbed on her boat and sat there. "I know your alive out there in the city. Its just a damn big place but I will find you and tell you all the things I should have. How you made me feel with your kindness and generosity. How the sun on you made you look like a gift from heaven." He reached into his bag and pulled out the sweater. "How sexy you looked in this sweater. I couldn't talk my heart was racing so fast. After three long years and I run across a good southern woman." Tears streak his face. "I just..." His throat chokes the last of it. He stands up and shouts. "I should of kissed you Olivia."

After sleeping through evening, into the night, and through part of the next day Olivia finally woke up. Her stomach ached, her throat was parched, her head was pounding. She was hungry and dehydrated. Stumbling over to the sink, Olivia drank from it until she was fit to burst. Then she sorted through her belongings and pulled out a couple of granola bars and devoured them. It wasn't enough though. She needed something filling, something fresh. The fish wasn't going to cut it--it had already gone bad so she tossed it in the chum bucket outside on the deck.

The dock was quiet and there was no sign of Shawn. Maybe he was in his cabin, or maybe he was scavenging the city. Whatever it was Olivia didn't want to stick around to find out. She was still too embarrassed to want to face him. Besides, she was hungry and really wanted meat. Not fish though. Deer, or pig, or whatever game she could find. It was time to go hunting in Central Park.

Olivia took what supplies she needed and headed out for her hunting trip. Her path never crossed with Shawn's and she was none-the-wiser to him desperately scouring the city to find her. On her way to Central Park she had had to kill some Walkers thawed out by the sun. Fortunately they were slow and sluggish. Still, it made Olivia wish that deep winter would set in so the Walkers would freeze hard until spring.

Her hunting trip took a lot longer than Olivia thought it would. At times a Walker would come through and chase off her quarry, then she'd have to track down another. It took hours upon hours of walking and waiting and Olivia certainly had her patience tested. One good thing about all this though was she had to focus on her task and thus didn't have to recall her embarrassment or imagine what Shawn might have thought of her. That wasn't entirely true though. Sometimes Olivia's thoughts drifted to Shawn. She wondered if he knew she was missing or even cared. Wondered if he might like deer meat stew or deer steak. Then Olivia would shake her head and get back to the task at hand.

Finally Olivia managed to bag a deer, a nice sized one at that. It took her a while, but she managed to clean it and strip it of all its meat. She fit the meat in her cooler and made her way back to the docks. Along the way Olivia started noticing writing on walls and windows. 'Olivia, I'm sorry.' The first time Olivia read that she had shrugged it off as a coincidence. After all, she hadn't been the only Olivia before, surely she wasn't now. But when she saw the same message over and over she started to worry. Was Shawn leaving those messages? Was he ok?

Now feeling a bit worried, Olivia quickened her pace, the cooler of deer meat feeling heavier than ever. Finally the docks were in sight and Olivia saw a familiar figure sitting slumped forward on the deck of her boat. From Shawn's posture she could tell he seemed weary, but she couldn't see his face to tell what be might be thinking. Had he noticed her absence? Did he miss her? Or was he sick and needed some help? One way or the other Olivia started to worry even more. All of a sudden he stood up and loudly shouted how he should have kissed her, shocking her.

Stopping in front of her boat and setting the cooler down, Olivia put her hands on her hips and looked at Shawn with her brow furrowed, a look of confusion on her face. "The heck are you talking about, cowboy?" Olivia asked him. "'N what were all those messages about?" Olivia looked quite a sight after her hunting trip. She had her jacket tied around her waist revealing the blood stains from the deer on her shirt and more on her pants. There was a smear of blood on her right cheek--again deer blood--and a slight scratch across her left from where a small branch had got her. Her hair was up in a messy bun and was sporting bits of twigs and leaves from when she had been hiding in bushes. She was dirty, sweaty, tired, hungry, and now confused as to what in the world was going on with Shawn.

Shawn turned to look at the source of the familiar voice. As he saw Olivia safe and sound Shawn put his hands on his hips and takes a deep breath tossing his head back to exhale. Shawn returns his eyes to met hers."You know how to make a guy worry. I came over here two nights ago to tell you the things I should have said the night you came over for tea. Then I spotted this." He pulls out the sweater dress from his back pack. "I thought you got upset and ran off into the city half naked. I spent the last two days and nights looking for you. I was so taken by how beautiful you looked that night that I failed to tell you of the walker I saw when getting the solar panels. I left messages trying to tell you I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. Now that you're here and safe I want to say some things. I think you are incredibly attractive. At times when you're close to me I find it hard to breath. You're more then this country boy deserves but I can look past that if you can." He smiles a little. "I know I'm older by a few years so it makes a guy hesitate. I just don't think that's a good enough reason to not at least be friends. If you want more one day then I'd be a willin' to take it slow as you'd like." Shawn rubs the back of his neck leaving on hand on his hip. His face gets red and he turns his head to the left.

Getting down off the boat he hands her the sweater and the tights. "You look real pretty in this. Any man would of found it hard to talk that night. I'm glad your safe. I'm glad to have a neighbor like you." He leans in to kiss Olivia's cheek.

I coulda swore I threw that away, Olivia thought to herself as she saw the outfit Shawn was holding. Musta missed the trash can.

Then Olivia realized what Shawn was saying. He had spent two days looking for her, scared that he had hurt her feelings and that maybe she was in trouble. Olivia felt ashamed for making him worry like that. At the same time his next words made her feel like she could scream for joy. He liked her. Shawn had worried over her and missed her, and he liked her. And he was hoping she liked him. Olivia was utterly blown away. She didn't know what to say or how to say it. She blushed at Shawn's compliment, but when he kissed her cheek her entire face turned a deep shade of red.

Shawn started to walk away and Olivia realized that if he took one more step she might miss her opportunity. "Wait!" She cried, stepping toward him quickly. Olivia wrapped her arms around Shawn's middle to keep him from leaving. Looking up at him, her face still red, she explained, embarrassed, "I'm sorry about making you worry, Shawn. The other night I thought maybe you didn't like the dress, or you thought I was being too forward or somethin'. I just kept thinking about it, and thinking about it. I got really nervous and self-conscious. It didn't help that wearing the dress felt strange--s'been three years since I've worn one. I went back to my cabin but couldn't cool my head so I went into the city to walk. I thought the dress was terrible so I threw it away. Anyway, I just walked and walked the city. Next thing I knew it was evening, so I came back here and passed out. I didn't wake up until the next day. My fish had gone bad and I was hungry so I thought I'd go to Central Park and do some hunting. I managed to catch a deer and I stopped to clean it, but it took me so long 'cause those damn Walkers kept scaring off my quarry."

Olivia had to take a big gulp of air. She had rushed her words out so quickly she had hardly stopped to breathe. Now, however, she took it a little slower. She still had her arms wrapped around Shawn and her body was pressed close against his, her face still red as she shyly asked, "Maybe you'd like to stay for dinner and we can talk more about this notion of what a sweet, good looking guy like you might want with a little country girl like me?" Olivia felt absolutely elated because Shawn liked her and she definitely liked him. She really, REALLY hoped that he would stay for dinner so they could openly talk and discuss what they wanted their relationship to be.

Normally Shawn didn't react this way. The tears streamed down as Olivia held him from behind. At first he couldn't speak from the choking feeling in his throat. How long had it been since he cared for some one and had the feeling reciprocated? Too long. The emotion he had for Olivia as she wrapped her arms around him ran deeper then a crush. It was a while but he was mature enough to know the feeling when it hit him. Love had him tighter then Olivia's embrace. Shawn took a hard swallow and placed his hands over Olivia's.

Clearing his throat and rubbing her forearms Shawn turned his head to the left. "You being safe, is a blessing to me. That dress was real eye catching. It's been more then three years since a woman wore something just for me. It struck me hard, like your kindness. Now that you're safe I don't want to loose you. Ever." Shaw was breathing rather shallow. "I... I would love to have dinner with you." He slid his fingers to interlock with hers. "I want to tell you all the things I should have that night." Shawn squeezes Olivia's fingers very gently. He could feel her warmth against his back. Just the closeness was intoxicating.

Shawn was becoming aware of the cold outside. "I should get ready for dinner. I wouldn't want to be late."He unlocked his fingers from Olivia and began to walk to the boat. He stopped turned half way and smiled. Shawn boarded the boat and as soon as the door closed he put his palm to his forehead. "Stupid. I ain't got a thing to wear that's nice." He stood there weighing the risk to run to the city and find a dry cleaners for a shirt and slacks. "Yea, why don't I order take out too? Think dummy." He remembered there being a tux he used some of it for rags. He hadn't gotten to the shirt. He went into the small compartment and found it. It was wrinkled but clean. He tried it on only to find the buttons wouldn't reach and the arms were too tight. "Dang!" He tossed it on the ground and searched through the new stuff he found something that was decent. Not flashy but it would work with the clean pair of jeans. Clean.. He tore off the clothes that he had on for almost three days and showered. For once he was glad the water was cold.

Shawn got dressed and wore jeans and the white with black stripped flannel cotton shirt he found. The shirt was a little tight but he figured it would do for the night. He cut all his nails and trimmed the beard with the scissors he found. No tooth paste but he decided to brush anyway. The major benefit was boats always had water for hygiene. He left a note to run the engine to charge the battery and to have a search for gas later as well. Shawn pulled out the few things he was going to give Olivia and put them in his bag. Going over to a ladies house empty handed was just not done in the south. A few hours had passed he thought it would be a good time to go over and see if he could help.

Shawn's touch was like a fire on Olivia's skin. It warmed her up, spread from wherever he touched, and ran straight into her heart. When he squeezed her hands she did the same in return. Shawn's hands were rough and large, enveloping her hands completely, but she liked that. There was a sense of security there, knowing that those hands that toiled every day to fight for survival now held hers in a gentle, protective embrace. His words made her smile a bright, dazzling smile. In fact, Olivia was trying her best not to grin like a happy idiot as she felt the warmth in her heart blossoming into its own fire.

"I'll be waiting for you," Olivia chirruped happily, placing a gentle kiss on Shawn's back before she let him go. She watched him leave, and when he stopped and smiled at her she returned it in kind with another dazzling smile. It was only after Shawn had gone inside that Olivia finally went in herself. The cooler was set to the side and she quickly stripped out of her dirty clothes. These were put into a separate bag that was hidden away. They would be washed later when she had the time for them. For now Olivia washed thoroughly and groomed herself carefully like she had two days ago. This time, however, she did not hesitate to put on the dress and tights after she had cleaned them up a bit. After that she quickly worked to tidy her little cabin, all the while humming happily.

Mr. Byrd had once told her to take heed of her heart but follow her gut. Sometimes they would be in unison. As Olivia thought of the man she was quickly coming to love and adore, this was one of those times. Maybe it was quick, but in these days the ability to make a split second decision meant life or death. And you never knew what would happen tomorrow. Olivia still wanted to take things with Shawn kind of slow--the whole romance thing was new to her as she had never had a boyfriend before the infection--but it just felt wholly right to be with him. Olivia wasn't going to let him go. Shawn was good looking, but more importantly he was sweet and kind. He had searched for her frantically for two days after having only known her for two prior. You really didn't get that kind of kindness anywhere, but maybe part of it was because Shawn was a good Southern guy through and through. Still, Olivia couldn't help herself. Oh, was he handsome. Just thinking about his muscular build, those rough hands, those sharp blue eyes, that sweet smile... The beard too. Olivia really loved a guy with a good beard. And she didn't know how much older Shawn was--she reminded herself to ask later--but she also liked older guys. Really, it actually came down to personality for Olivia, but Shawn had it all. She felt like a giddy school girl just thinking of him.

Olivia had had the stew going for a while, the rest of the deer meat put away for later, when there came a knock on her door. She almost let out an excited squeal, but managed to keep her composure. Until she opened the door and saw Shawn standing there in a shirt that was a little too small but only helped to show off his broad chest. With her hand holding the doorknob she dug her newly cleaned and filed nails into her palm to keep from grinning like a maniac. Instead she smiled and said, "Well you clean up pretty nicely, cowboy, if I do say so myself. Please come in." She stood aside for Shawn to come in, closing the door behind him to keep out the cold. "I know my space is a lot smaller, but make yourself at home. Supper is almost ready." Now that Shawn was actually here Olivia was beginning to feel a bit nervous. She hoped she looked decent. She hoped the stew would be good considering she had had to use canned vegetables and bullion cubes for the broth. She really, really hoped she didn't make a fool of herself because knowing Shawn liked her made her lightheated and happy beyond all reason. Knowing that a guy like Shawn liked a girl like her was more than she could have ever asked for.

As the hatched opened Shawn saw she was all cleaned up and smiling to see him. "Howdy. May I come in?" His eyes were warmer and less intense with the staring he did the first time. Shawn's face was colored by the slightest blush seeing you back in the dress. "Thank ya kindly. You're looking pretty yourself." Shawn drew in a deep breath the shirt spit between the buttons showing some skin beneath. "That smells good. I think you got a nice place." He looked around if only briefly he looked at you and wore a smile warm and kind. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "I'm really having some strong feelings toward you. I known you're attractive and all. I think its more then that. Its the southern kindness and the way you talk. You are a fine woman." He stopped thinking he said too munch. "Can I help out with supper."

"Oh. I brought you something I thought would help." He pulled out a 3x1ft solar panel and a base with a hand radio. "Its short range but I thought it would be nice if you wanted to stay out of the cold but still talk. Or if you wanted to scavenge together some time. I brought some tea too." The tea was in a thermos. He stood and waited on Olivia to sit first. Not even looking at the food he poked at it while he gazed smitten at the girl across the table. He took a bite of the food eventually. It was good and warm. "Mmmm, my that's some good cooking." He sat savoring the food. Looking at Olivia and noticed she was smiling too. She was pretty and she should know it he thought. "So I would very munch like to hear your thoughts on how I should treat a sweet country girl. Honestly I want to know more about you. But I don't want to be pushy." Shawn raised a hand and scratched at the side of his face. "I Want you to feel comfortable and to let me know when you don't. I would like to hear about how you lived before and anything you feel like sharing." He kept eye contact and took a drink of the tea.

A blush covered Olivia's cheeks and her eyes shown with a happy light under Shawn's praise. She still couldn't quite get over the fact that a guy like Shawn liked her. "Thank you," she said, giving him a smile. There wasn't much left to do with supper, but since Shawn wanted to help she let him. When Shawn pulled out the solar panel and radios Olivia felt a rush of excitement and affection. "Aw, thank you, Shawn," she chirruped happily. "That would be really nice, being able to keep in touch over the radio and going on a run together. I'd say maybe the day after tomorrow we could go? You worried yourself to death over me the past two days so you should at least get tomorrow to rest." They fixed their bowls and sat down at Olivia's small table. Overall there wasn't much room in her boat. It was apparent that it had been made more for a day trip than an overnight trip. Olivia felt she might have to find something a bit bigger so she could have more room whenever Shawn came over. That and maybe have a better sleeping space and more storage space for food and supplies. At this very moment though, Olivia tried not to worry too much about the lack of space and instead focused on Shawn. He was smiling at her and she couldn't help but smile back. His grin was simply contagious. Olivia had done well living on her own for three years, but she honestly had to say she felt happiest now being here with Shawn.

She was glad he enjoyed the stew. Olivia herself was glad he had brought the tea over since she had little to drink. She sipped it slowly, savoring its sweet flavor, both hands holding to cup to warm them up with its heat. When he asked how he should treat her she smiled into her cup before setting it down. Shawn really was a sweetheart--bringing her gifts, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable and telling her to take her time. Setting her cup down Olivia reached across the table and took one of Shawn's hands in both her own. She gently rubbed her thumbs in circles over his skin as she looked at him with a warmth in her eyes, an unbounded appreciation in her heart. "I think you've treated this girl just fine so far," she told him gently. "You're just as sweet as all get-out, Shawn. I don't think I could ever ask for more. I'd like to know more about you as well, and I also want you to tell me if you're ever uncomfortable with something. I don't think I could stand to upset you and make you worry again like I did these past few days."

Taking a deep breath Olivia started, "Before the infection is was just normal life: Me going to school, my mom working hard to support the two of us, Mr. Byrd looking after me when she was busy. After I lost them I was simply on my own. For a long time I heeded Mr. Byrd's words--avoiding people 'n keeping to myself. He knew. He knew what people are capable of. What they can become in the worst disasters. I knew too kinda. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast it was crazy all over. You saw who had it in them to still be kind and give of themselves to others even when they had nothing. You saw the rest of the country coming together to aid us--people from thousands of miles away driving down there to bring food and clothes, rebuild houses and businesses, help clean the rubble and console those who had lost so much. I remember a lot of it. One guy in our neighborhood using his generator to give all of us water, FEMA and Red Cross trucks coming through our neighborhood to bring food, when the stop lights weren't working and everyone was being really careful and courteous. But there was bad stuff too, bad people. 'N I remember that too. Looting, people getting shot just for a bag of ice, rape..." Her voice was quiet, subdued, the light in her eyes dull. "It was really bad in New Orleans. But none of it compared to some of the things that happened after the infection. Mr. Byrd had a better idea of what was going to happen. He was a Navy veteran who had served in two wars. He saw hell with his own eyes, and he knew it was hell that was coming. That's why he told me to keep to myself, to trust my gut and only approach others when I was absolutely positive it was safe to do so."

"There was one time, early on, when I had approached a group to trade. They had some extra gas and I had fresh meat--none of 'em were good at hunting so they were in dire need of it. Most of 'em were nice, but there were a few... Not so much. They weren't good at tracking deer, but they weren't bad at tracking people. They found me, and let's just say that what their intents were as they approached me were less than pleasant. Too bad for them I knew how ta fight better." She had stopped rubbing her thumbs over Shawn's skin. Instead Olivia stared at her hands, a hard look in her eyes as she recalled what she had had to do with those hands on that dark, moonless night ages ago. Then her expression cleared and she looked back up at her sweet country boy whom she knew would never purposefully harm her. She might have to worry about others, but never about Shawn. Managing to give him a smile once more she continued, "Anyway, I continued my travels and wound up here with you. Gotta say that the first night you 'bout damn near made me jump out of my skin when you approached. I was worried I might have to fight you, or else run. After you left I still considered running, but decided against it. If I think about it I guess it mighta been the way you talked that kept me from disappearin' that first night. Not many people nowadays try to be kind or polite to each other--they seem to think it's unnecessary or maybe that it makes 'em weak or something--but you were still nice as could be. It's gotta be that manners are just a way of life for the South. Anyway, what about you, cowboy? What's your story if you don't mind sharing?"

The smile Shawn wore disappeared as the seriousness in Olivia's voice set the tone. He listened intently to the tale of her travels and the hardship's she had endured. He was glad to hear others like Mr. Byrd had been kind to her. She had to defend herself and the fact that she was sitting across from him meant that the others had not been as fortunate. Shawn could fill in the blanks her tale left out. It posted a sad story of a dangerous trip. Traveling on land was just as dangerous as he had thought it would be. Shawn believed people still had a choice to hold onto the their decency or to become less then human. Apparently more chose to be less. Her hands were comforting him just as he imagined it comforted her. Olivia's hands were soft and the contact made Shawn focus more on her lips. Shawn was glad to hear he was being nice to Olivia. A smile grew on his face to the sound of her words and the tone she used to describe Shawn. His face flush with color to the comment of "Sweet as all get out."

Hearing Olivia's plight made it come back to Shawn as well. The danger and the pillaging. He remembers a group set on one girl with a single intent. He had to shoot a few to make his intent known. Shawn's face grew dark. Turned out it was a trap and more were lying in wait. He lost most of his stuff minus the bag and the clothes on his back. After a few minutes Shawn cleared his throat. "Well I recon my tale is similar to yours. After the Katrina I went down to see what I could do to help out. I joined a volunteer group and learned some carpentry. Did what I could for a few months, then I had to get back supporting my life. It wasn't long after that the infection hit." Shawn began to rub his hands together. "The media calling it a small viral outbreak. Telling us that it was contained and not to worry. Then when it got out of hand it was too late." His voice becoming choked with sadness and his eyes welled up. Taking a deep breath through his nose he put a hand to his face and rubbed the tears out. "The city hospital got it the worst and those spread it to others I'd barricaded my house best I could. The other neighbors, most of them left. I hunkered down there for a spell until the food ran out. Then I started salvaging from abandoned homes and that kept me going for a while longer. Finally I had no choice but to move. I was a pretty good salt water fisher before and now I'm even better. There is always food in the sea and walkers cant swim. So I took a boat and as munch gas as I could siphon form the others."

Shawn took a sip of the tea and looked into the cup for a moment. "Made my way to Florida and hung out there. Evading raiders and learning how to navigate. I traded up to the boat I have now. I learned how to do night scavenging and gather as munch fuel as I could. The fishing was really good. I stayed a bit longer, the weather was nice and warm too. Key Largo was empty the walkers were heavy but manageable. I would shoot at a luxury car to make the alarm go off then when the walkers were distracted I would make my move inland to gather what ever I could and refill on fresh water." A smile broke though. "That water sure was pretty. The raiders were just such a pain they were horrible. I decided it was time to move on before they eventually got the drop on me. I moved north since I don't speak any other languages. A lot of the coast was abandoned and a few places had those in need. It feels selfish even now but then I just couldn't risk it. I tried to get close a few times. Only to get shot at. The traps always wanted me to get closer to shore. I learned to just stay out of sight of the beach. I would run up the coast at night and then anchor out of sigh from the land during the day."

"When I first heard you I thought there was no way you were so strong. I thought you were a person who had given up. I could never imagine I would be so wrong. You are very strong." Shawn gazes into your eyes as he speaks. His tone is firm but not harsh. "I'm glad we met and that you still have what makes a person, human. The kindness is what kept me from leaving this dock. I feel so close to you the more I get to know you. Olivia... You restore my faith in surviving this nightmare. Please let me keep surviving with you. I couldn't imagine anyone kinder, stronger, or as pretty to survive with then you." Shawn extends out his hands palms up on the table, asking to hold yours once more. "The fact that two southerners wind up in New York on boats has gotta be the strongest case of coincidence anyone's ever heard of. Whatever the case, I am grateful to have things lead me to you, Olivia." A warm smile shows through his bearded face.

Olivia listened to Shawn's tale as attentively as he had listened to hers. They had both been through a lot in the past three years. She was just glad they had both come out okay in the end. Olivia also couldn't really say she was surprised that Shawn had thought her weak. Several people throughout the last three years had underestimated her, and more before that in one thing or another. But the ones in recent years who had thought her weak and unable to defend herself... Some had paid very dearly for it, like those men she had left as Walker chow so they'd never lay their hands on another woman again. Of course she had made sure their brains were damaged so they wouldn't come back. Others who had underestimated her who had been proven wrong were simply impressed by her skills. Those Olivia had made friends with, and they had shared meals and laughter, traded supplies and survival tips before going their separate ways. Not everyone was bad, but as time went on more people had naturally become wary of outsiders because while not everyone was bad not everyone was good either.

Shawn was. He was an absolute sweetheart, and as Olivia slipped her hands into his as he held them open to her, she smiled at him again. She couldn't help but feel happy that she could be a source of hope for Shawn, and she felt even happier knowing that he wanted her by his side. After their meeting Olivia wasn't sure she could go back to being alone again anyways. Least probably not without developing a deep loneliness that was likely to eat away at her in Shawn's absence. Her expression was soft, her voice gentle as she expressed her thoughts to Shawn. "I would be happy to stay by your side, Shawn. Wherever you might want to go, I'll go with you be it by sea or land, or even by air if you think you can breed a bird large enough to carry a human." Olivia let out a small laugh and added, "I was kidding about that last bit. I am serious, though, Shawn. I'll stay by your side no matter what. I'd by lying if I said I'm not uncontrollably drawn to you, and I don't think I could stand to be on my own anymore after meeting you."

Shawn smiles at the bird comment. "Olivia. I want you with me for as long as you'll have me." He rubs her hands in his. "I promise to be here for you. I have care deeply about you, your kindness, your strength. I'm like a boat caught in your tide. I don't want to leave. Where ever you pull me I want to go with you. I don't want to think of something happening to you." Shawn presses his lips together. "You make me care and I don't want to loose that. I don't want to become one of them that is just surviving but stopped living. If I ever turn into that then I hope some one kills me." He looks at you and leans forward to kiss your hands. As his head comes up he smiles at you. He takes a drink of tea to clear his throat. Shawn's eyes fill with a tenderness that shines when a man looks at something he truly cares about. Shaw just looks at you quietly, tenderly, lovingly.

Olivia listened intently, understanding what Shawn meant when he talked about only surviving but not living. She had observed cases of that far too often. People lived day-to-day with no hope for the future, not knowing how to take joy in the small things. Not Olivia though. She looked for things to be happy about--a beautiful flower, bird song, seeing the glorious colors of the sunset--and she did what she wanted to. She traveled and saw sights no one else had likely seen before and made memories she would cherish forever. Now she had Shawn to make memories with, and that would make them all the more precious. Olivia stood up and walked around to the other side of the table and came to a stop behind Shawn. She draped her arms over his shoulders and across his chest, giving him a hug as she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I promise you, Shawn, we won't be like that," she told him, her voice soft but sure. "Surviving without living. Even with everything going on we'll make our lives worth something." She was rubbing his chest gently, the feel of their bodies touching simply intoxicating. Olivia lay her head on Shawn's shoulder, closing her eyes as she buried her face in his neck. He smelled nice, like soap and sea and a bit of something else. It was a comforting smell. As Olivia drank in everything she could from Shawn's scent to his heart beating in his chest and his slow and steady breaths, she began to feel a sense of peace come over her. "I'm so glad I have you now, Shawn," Olivia mumbled sleepily into his neck.

Shawn's eyes watched Olivia rise from the seat across from him. Her touch was electric. His heart beat so loud it rang in his ears. Her voice sending reassurances that their future would be met together. Her breath on his neck was potent. She was close. So very close. Shawn put his hand on her waist. Shawn stood and held Olivia close. He slid one hand around to her back pulling her waist even closer. "Olivia, I.. I have you too and I'm not letting go." He rested his head against hers. Her scent in her hair was soft and so feminine. He stood there holding this strong woman in his arms. The closeness was giving him little tremors of excitement. He nuzzled into her hair and took a deep breath. He exhaled slowly. Shawn started to rub your back with his hand. Shawn whispered as munch as a man can. "Kiss me. Tell me to stay and watch the sun come up." Shawn kisses softly on Olivia's neck. "Olivia." Drawing another deep breath of her scent. "Tell me you love me too."

Olivia let out a quiet sigh of contentment even as she felt herself burning up under Shawn's touch. She never wanted this to end, never wanted him to let her go. When he went for her neck she gladly tilted her head to the side, allowing him to easily do what he wanted. She bit down hard on her bottom lip, but that didn't stop a small whimper of pleasure from escaping her throat as Shawn whispered in her ear, kissed on her neck. Once more Olivia wound her arms around Shawn's neck. She pressed herself against him even as he held her close. Olivia lifted her dusty gray eyes to meet Shawn's sky blue, the love and burning desire she felt for him more than obvious. There was simply no helping it: that sweet, ruggedly handsome country boy from Tennessee had her under a powerful spell. There was no way to break it, not that Olivia ever wanted it broken anyway. She kept her eyes on his as she said, "I love you, Shawn. Please, please don't leave." There was a look of desperation in her eyes, a pleading note in her voice as she begged him not to go. If he left now Olivia wasn't sure she could stand it. She'd probably fly out onto the dock chasing after him. She pleaded, "Stay. Please stay and watch the sunrise with me, Shawn. Just don't go. I love you so much it hurts." Finally she pulled Shawn's face toward hers and she pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss as she clung to him like her life depended on it.

Her words would hit there mark like a strong poison. She loved him. She said it. In that kiss he put years of solitude behind him. The years of being on that boat running for his life faded like a fog to mornings light. He gave everything he had to her in that kiss. Shawn's lips never parted hers not even after the third or forth kiss. Not as his head turned from left to right and back as he held Olivia close. He pressed himself into her, his embrace became firmer, bolder. "We will watch the sun rise together." He returns to your lips and kisses you over and again. His eyes closed and living in the moment. Shawn's hands moving up and down your back at times resting on your hips. He had no more words. This was how he felt about Olivia. So Strong and vibrant. So close to Shawn her taste on his lips. Shawn's lips felt electric with each touch of her skin where ever he kissed Olivia. He picked her up and sat her on the table. Shawn broke their kiss and put both hands on the table gripping the edges. His breathing was hard. The look in his eye was something primal.

Shawn's embrace, his kisses, his passion. It was overpowering. Overwhelming. Olivia felt like she was going to drown in him if it went on for too long, but such a sweet death was not so terrible. She clung to Shawn, the man that was now her love and her life-line in this crazy, messed-up world. She dug her nails into his back, mewling and sighing with pleasure at every kiss even as her legs shook from the combined force of their passion. Their emotions were raw and unbound, set loose like a raging hurricane. Olivia almost felt like there should be a wild wind whipping through the cabin, but the only thing that moved was the two of them. Hearing Shawn say that he would stay made Olivia happier than she could ever possibly express. She hadn't wanted to be alone before, but now she thought she might go mad if she were to be left by herself for the night.

Suddenly she felt Shawn lift her up even as he continued to kiss her fiercely, then she felt the table beneath her. Shawn's lips parted from hers at last. Olivia almost let out a small whimper of disappointment, but she managed to contain it. Instead, with wide eyes she looked up at Shawn as he stood in front of her, not close enough to touch but close enough for her to feel his body heat. Shawn's want--his need, his desire--was evident in his eyes and in his body language. Despite Olivia's unbidden need to have Shawn's arms around her, to taste his kisses, there were some things she simply wasn't ready for. The memory of that black night flashed through her mind and a tremor ran through her body. Olivia might have been strong, but there were still things that scared her and this was one of them. Shawn had said he would take it as slow as she liked and to let him know when she was uncomfortable.

Olivia would test that now. She wanted to give Shawn a fair chance to see if he would be true to his word. She placed her hands on his chest, gently but still with a firmness to her touch to help remind him that if she wanted to she could easily make him stop by force if he denied her request. But despite the fact that Olivia knew she could take Shawn if she needed to, she couldn't completely keep the fear out of her eyes or the tremor out of her voice as she quietly spoke, telling him, "Shawn, I love you, but there are some things I'm not ready for. Not yet. Just, please, stay with me. Hold me, kiss me, tell me you love me, watch the sunrise with me. I can do all that for you. But anything further... I can't do that right now. I'm still scared. I..." Olivia couldn't help the tears that sprung from her eyes, now shining with a dull, sorrowful light. The tears raced down her cheeks and dripped down onto her dress, creating wet spots in the yarn. Although she was strong mentally and physically, Olivia was not indestructible. She tried to wipe away her tears but her voice cracked as she explained, "I-I can still see that night. Still feel it. An' it hurts. It hurts my heart, and it hurts my body. It scares me, Shawn. It scares me an' it won't stop scarin' me. I can't, right now. I just can't... But please, don't go. I don't want you to leave."

Shawn saw the change in Olivia. Something deep. The tear sliding down her face was a loud bell to his hangover of desire. He needed to to grab hold of his will power and get under control, now. Something bad had happened. Shawn could fill in the blanks. He grew angry not at Olivia but whatever animal would do that to her. Closing his eyes and exhaling all his breath he slowly stood up away from Olivia. Shawn wiped away some of the tears from her face. "I understand." Shawn holds out his hand to help her off the table. Shawn smiled still warm and his eyes cooled from the the look they once held. Now more controlled. "I'm here Olivia and I'm here for you. I would love to watch the sunrise with you. I love you Olivia and to me that means respect and trust."

Shawn felt a little more sure of his worth as he grabbed control from his instinct and retained his humanity. It was difficult, she was so close but being a man was having inner strength too. Shawn could see now how this new world left nothing untouched and he hated it. How dare people treat each other that way. There was death all around him but people had to add suffering to. As if the loss wasn't enough. He felt his fists clench and his jaw tighten. He had to let her know. "Olivia from here on out you don't have to be scared. I'm not sayin I can take that night and hide it from you. I can't wish away the pain you feel. But you don't have to be scared any more. I'm tellin ya its the last time something like that will happen to you. You can put your arms around me and we will watch the sun come up. The sun will rise and we will be safe. You can stop being scared." Shawn kisses you softly on the forehead.

Shawn's words were a soothing balm to Olivia's fears. She had been honestly worried for a bit there, but now she realized that she had no need to be. Not with Shawn. He had been true to his word: stopping when she wasn't comfortable. No doubt it must have ached him to do so--she had seen the lust burning in his eyes--but he had stopped and for that Olivia loved him and respected him even more. She wrapped her arms around his middle, smiling softly as he kissed her forehead. When she looked up at him her expression was gentle. "Thank you, Shawn," she quietly said as she hugged him. She leaned up to give him a kiss, this one sweet and loving. One day she would be ready to step further, and then Olivia would brush off those haunting memories. When she did she knew Shawn would be there to show her it didn't have to hurt, that it wasn't scary, that it could be an act of love. But even until that day and all those after she knew Shawn would be by her side no matter what. The thought made Olivia so joyful she felt like a cauldron ready to bubble over.

She stared at him with adoration that seemed to only grow with every passing moment. Finally she took his hand in hers, smiled, and said, "Let's sit down and get comfortable. We've got a long way 'til sunrise." Olivia led him to the benches so they could sit. They were deep benches, deep enough to lay down on but not enough to give extra room when doing so. When it came to holding each other and cuddling though it was perfect. Olivia leaned against Shawn, her arms around him, her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Shawn," she sighed happily as she nuzzled his neck.

The world was so cruel. Her arms wrapping around him was so soothing. The kiss left a lingering impression on his lips. Shawn smiled warmly to Olivia's gesture. Laying on the bench together her body relaxed and stretched out over his. Her arms wrapped around his body. The best was the scent of her so close. Shawn closed his eyes and breathing slow and steady savoring the closeness and her being so warm against his chest. Olivia's words rung in his heart. He waited listing to her tone and the affection in her words before responding. "I love you." Shawn wrapped his arms around her. Rubbing her back he closed his eyes. There was a long wait till morning and he planned to hold every second hostage in this moment.

It was a long time since he was so relaxed and at peace. Her warmth was comforting. He didn't dare make a sound that might shatter the moment. He basked in the moment. At the start of his travel this situation was one he would of never imagined as a possible outcome. Shawn Held Olivia gently. She was so pretty. He wrapped a leg around Olivia knowing the leggings would be difficult to keep her legs warm. The room became so quiet he could hear the lapping of the water against the boat. It was rhythmic and soothing with Olivia's warmth it didn't take long for him to fall asleep.

It also didn't take long for him to wake up. The shifting boat with Olivia resting on top of him as his hand slid off her and hit the edge of the table he smirked that he got that comfortable. he took a slow deep breath of Olivia's hair and adjusted holding her close. Her body was ton from her living on the run Olivia's face against his neck was not helping lower the flame he had for her earlier. Brushing her hair and pinning it behind an ear he could see the side of her face. she was very pretty. All natural, like the sun rise that would shine on her. He lovingly kissed the top of her head. normally Shawn disliked the wait for things this was one of the exceptions. He smiled and very gently hugged her till the sun rose.

Olivia was up for a while longer than Shawn, but she didn't move or make a sound. Instead she lay there with her eyes closed, listening to his breathing and the beating of his heart. She was hyper-aware of any part of her body that touched his. Shawn was warm. His presence was a comfort, a beacon of light drawing her in from a sea of loneliness, a dark storm of haunting memories. As she lay there in his arms she pondered some things. If the two of them had met before the infection, what would have happened? Would they be friends? Perhaps they might have a relationship more akin to siblings. Maybe they would have eventually wound up lovers as they were now. Or maybe they would have simply been strangers passing by. Whatever could have happened in the past did not matter, and there was no reason to really dwell on it. What mattered was that she had Shawn in the here and now. He was hers, and she was his. She didn't have to worry about being lonely anymore because, despite how she had often told herself she wasn't, Olivia had been very, terribly lonely. Of course she could have found a group to join, but after what had happened to her that one time she had no desire to put herself at the mercy of others should they ever suddenly on her or each other.

Eventually the lullaby created by the gentle river waves and the beating of Shawn's heart carried Olivia off into a deep sleep. Come morning's light she started to stir, awakened from her dreams by Shawn's gentle affection. She yawned and rubbed her eyes to clear them of sleep before nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck once more. "Morning," she greeted. Her voice was still heavy with sleep, but there was a note of happiness there nonetheless. Olivia kissed his neck and hugged him tightly before asking, "How did you sleep last night?"