an: so, this was gonna be a one shot and it is turning into a monster. I have no idea how long it will be...a very short soon to be smutty multichapter...let me know what you think :)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

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Alexandrians were more stupid than anything else.

When life had settled out Carol and Rick had come to that realization. They weren't cannibals, they weren't evil, they were stupid. Stupid could still could get you killed Carol knew that but little by little she let her guard down. Let her own personality start to filter through. She was cautiously optimistic...hopeful even that they had found someplace that they could build a future on.

She liked her life, she let her little helpless act go by the wayside as the months past by, and found the Alexidrians still liked her, respected her for learning how to survive. All but one she thought with a smirk as she saw Sam dash by her house nervously. That kid had scared the crap out of her all those months before. Someone had needed to teach him a lesson not to wander off that it wasn't safe. She had probably taken it to far, but at least he would be safe unlike a lot of kids.

The months past by, people became comfortable. She liked her life living with Rick, Carl, Judith, Michonne and Daryl. She'd given up some of the undercover duties she'd taken on at first to help Rick watch Judith. Rick wasn't comfortable with leaving her in the care of the daycare...and Michonne, Carol and Daryl were the adults she was with most times. Michonne wasn't able to do it, and Daryl ...Daryl was never home.

She didn't mind, it felt like a privilege to get to spend her days with Jude, she confessed to Rick one night everything that had happened with Lizzie and Mika, and Rick knew without a doubt there was nothing she wouldn't do for his girl.

It didn't mean she let herself go weak, she had taken up running every morning. It felt freeing to let go, and feel the wind in her face. She went out shooting as much as possible and had put the bug in Maggie's ear that she should suggest a gun range to Deanna. She had gotten her knife back...she'd missed the feel of it, the balance of it in her hand. She didn't keep it out in the open but it was always on her, no matter what. Stupidity could get you killed and she wasn't stupid.

Or maybe she was, she thought with a sigh as she readied herself for the latest newcomer party. She spent so much time, worrying about others she forgot to worry about herself. She liked her life but she didn't love it. She was determined to be happy, content. Feel loved for herself.

She'd gradually let her guard down and she'd let Tobin in. She had been flattered at first, at his interest. A little flustered too. She honestly had never had that, someone going out of their way for her...to make her feel special. Things were progressing slowly, they were both comfortable with that. Nothing had progressed past second base as Tobin called it and she was fine with that. It wasn't some grand passionate love, it was respect, it was companionship, it was enough for her.

She'd given up on Daryl... a couple of months ago. It had become increasingly clear he wasn't capable of having a relationship with anyone...least of all her. Time to let silly school girl dreams pass her by.

She shook out the dress that had become her standard for these stupid parties at Deanna's. She hated it. It was baggy and blue and felt like a sac. Her own damn fault, she'd chosen her clothing so she could be invisible...and in this dress she was.

"Oh god it lives"

She covered herself up as Tara burst into her room holding a bundle of clothing.

"Tara, how many times do I have to tell you to knock when I am changing?" She said slipping on a robe.

"While it is my biggest regret that you don't bat for my team" Tara said sending her a jokingly leering look."That isn't what this is about."

"What do you mean.." Carol started but paused as Tara grabbed the blue dress out of her hands.

"I don't like this thing..." Tara said flicking her knife out..."and this is what I'm going to do about it" she said slashing it with her knife.

"Tara!"

"What.? I'm sorry okay, but it was the last remnant of Mrs, Cleaver ..someone had to do it. God if I had to watch you hide you boobs in the shapeless sack one more time I was going to lose my mind. If I am being forced to go to this party at least let me enjoy the view." Tara said with a grin nodding towards the pile of clothes on the bed and ducking with a giggle as she ran out the door and Carol threw a pillow at her.

Carol sighed glancing at the pile of clothes on the bed..a red dress catching her eye.

"Try the red one!" Tara shouted from behind the door.

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"I thought you were going to the party"

Daryl shrugged as he hammered out the ten new dents in his fender he'd gotten out on the road with Aaron. He liked his new job, hell he was happy at Alexandria, even if he didn't really fit in. He'd made new friends in Aaron and Eric and life was good (he'd love to see Merle's reaction to that) Being out on the road kept him sharp, but he still felt useful enough when he came back. Like he earned his place. He liked his life, but he didn't love it.

"Thought you and Aaron didn't like the parties.." He gruffed out to Eric without stopping.

"No...Aaron doesn't like them. I love them! And you're going. We'll be the wallflower group...come on Tara, Eugene and Noah are coming with us!" Eric grinned excitedly.

"Sounds fun" he commented sarcastically.

"I know!" Eric said happily."you can shower here...I grabbed you a new shirt and pair of jeans and lord underwear from that haul of clothes you guys brought back. Go on" Eric said motioning to the door "We'll be late"

"I never said I would go" he snarled out, but quirked his brow in confusion as a grin spread across Eric's face.

"Oh you're so cute! I wasn't asking...now march mister"

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"You ain't never told me he was scary happy" Daryl said slouched at a table with Aaron, Tara and Noah nursing a beer watching Eric hold an animated conversation with Deanna and Maggie.

"He is small but mighty" Aaron said with a grin.

"Reminds me of someone I know." Tara snorted

Daryl looked at her curiously "what do you mean?" He asked

"You should have seen the trouble I went through to wrench that blue whale of a dress out of Carol's hands tonight for her date...lord it's about time she showed some cleavage to Tobin...that poor man will have a heart attack when he finally see the whole package unwrapped. Lucky bastard." Tara finished with a sigh.

Daryl took a sip of his beer thinking that through. Carol had a date? He knew that fucker Tobin had been sniffing around her but he'd thought it was one sided. He'd thought...he wasn't sure what he thought. That she'd stay single forever. That he could fool himself into believing his feelings were more brotherly, that she would always be there for him, and only him.

Fuck he was an idiot he thought as his gut twisted at the thought of Tobin with Carol. Of getting to take her clothes of, see that beautiful body in detail. That silky skin, that skin he dreamed about touching, those freckles that disappeared under the neckline of her shirt that he dreamed of tracing.

He should be happy for her. He'd felt them grow apart the last few months, when he'd been out on the road, but like the asshole he was he thought that things would stay the same forever. Like when he'd been out on the road with Michonne, that she'd just gravitate back towards him when he was ready. That she would be there for him, when he needed her. Fuck he was an idiot he thought chugging his beer.

The door opened and the room turned to see the new arrivals. He watched in awe as she stepped into the room.

He started at the bottom and worked his way up, fuck..those legs. Legs that would make a twenty year old jealous. That dress was red and just bordered on indecent. It was cut incredibly low, the material gathered under her breasts then flowed down to her knees clinging to her body.

Fuck if he had his knife that fucker Tobin's hand that was wrapped around her waist would be in trouble.

It was when he got to her face that he knew, her face was so scared, so unsure. Fuck being noble, fuck being honourable. She should be with him not that asshole. He kicked himself now, he should have been making her see how beautiful she was...how special, all that time wasted.

That asshole wouldn't be there for her like he would. That asshole wouldn't understand her like he would, he thought with a heavy heart watching Tobin wrap his arm around Carol as they greeted Rick.

Fuck that asshole wouldn't love her like he did, he thought getting up to go outside and clear his head. He needed a plan and he needed one quick.

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"That was well done"

Tara turned to Aaron in surprise "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

Aaron rolled his eyes wrapping his arm around Eric who sat down beside him "Pft...you know exactly what I mean...I was trying to find a way to get him to see the truth before it was too late. She's all he talked about on the road."

"Why do you think I bullied him into coming tonight?" Eric said sweetly.

Tara grinned "I'm sooooooo bored. I spend my days with Eugene. Eugene! I miss sex...hell I miss television. They're are no available women here, and I'm bored, and dammit Carol is straight but I can at least enjoy the view." She said with a grin at Carol "while I play puppet master."

Eric grinned clapping his hands excitedly, as Aaron groaned.

"Guys...I think we should just let them figure things out now on their own...we gave them a push.." Aaron said.

Eric stood up grabbing Tara's hand "I promise we won't cause too much trouble we are just going to spy a little...make sure everything goes as planned" he said pecking a kiss to Aaron's forehead and ruffling his hair.

"Come on Tara...on the way there's a couple of girls I want to introduce you too."