She works quickly and quietly. No words are exchanged, but there doesn't need to be. The nods and the glances say a thousand words either way. When she was stitching him up, she could feel the watchful eyes of another just outside the cell. She doesn't trust him, but he doesn't trust her either. It's a mutual understanding, why should they trust one another? It would just be a lost cause, a lost hope. He always does the wrong thing, the wrong outbursts. Yet, Daryl is always the one to stop him, just like he was now. The glare wasn't pointed towards her, but it was pointed towards him; Merle. Though they were brothers, blood it didn't seem to matter. It was always that way with the Dixon brothers. They were like a two sided coin; Merle was head and Daryl was tails.

Merle, he was always the loud one. He never kept a cool head. He was someone who threw around racial slurs like they were candy; always angry and cocky, like he didn't have a care in the world. Always took care of himself and no one else besides maybe Daryl. But as far as she has heard, that was very few times. But Daryl was different; he was always quiet, observing the situation around him. He was Merle's crutch, trying his best to keep him calm and level headed. Daryl tried to stay out of everyone's way, not wanting to be disturbed. A man with little words, but had common sense on his shoulders. Merle, he didn't seem to have anything like that.

She never said anything though. She just kept on working with the stitches, as though she never noticed the tension in the room. The room was a ticking time bomb; one moment it will be silent and still, and the next those two will be at each other's throats. It was as though it was always a competition, which was stronger than the other. It was always like that at camp as well, Carol observed, though trying not to stare as long as others. But one thing was for sure; they were the perfect team.

Carol's nimble hands finished the last stich. She glanced up at Daryl who handed her the scissors. With one quick snip, she cut the string off, "I would say no hunting for a few days, but I know you won't listen," She smiled at him, and she thought she almost saw a quick tilt of the lips, "So I'll just say be careful."

Daryl nodded and stood up then went to stand in the corner. His arms were crossed as he leaned into the wall for support. His eyes glanced between her and Merle, as though he was watching both of them. She saw Merle grin as he strode into the room, straight towards her. She knew that kind of attitude; Ed used the same one to get her into bed. But Merle's was cockier, more knowing of the situation at hand.

"Well Mouse, looks like it's my turn," He drawled, sitting down, facing her. She didn't let the fear show. Even not facing him, she knew Daryl was still in the corner, watching both of them.

She nodded at him, looking at where the bullet went into his shoulder. From the way the ligaments tore away from his shoulder, she could tell it went deep. She grabbed the tweezers from the bed side and dug in. Hisses were pushed between Merle's teeth as she was digging through to the bullet. Though the ligaments were torn, the bullet was whole, as it went through. She kept whispering quietly sorry as she continued to pull the bullet out. The bullet showed itself on the surface as Carol pulled it the rest of the way out. Merle was sitting there, the quietest she had ever heard him, glaring at Daryl. She taped a gauzed pad over the wound as she stood up and cleaned her hands. Merle sat there, as though unwilling to leave her cell, in deep thought. Daryl walked over to him and whispered something in his ear. Merle did a double take, looking between the two of them, before grinning ear to ear. He walked out the same way he came in.

Daryl turned towards her again and smiled. It was a small one, but it was enough to make her heart flutter. Without warning, Carol flung herself into Daryl's arms and hugged him, tears streaming down her face, "I thought I lost you," she whispered into his neck, hearing the steady and loud heartbeat of his.

"Always come back," He grunted, his arms lightly wrapped around her waist. She knew he wasn't the one for touching. But sometimes, she was able to get these rare moments of Daryl that no one else sees.

She nodded and they stayed that way for a while. Two damaged souls combined in one simple gesture that means the world to her. She felt him start pulling away, obviously starting to get uncomfortable with their situation. She released her hold as she stood close enough to touch, but not touching. She watched Daryl shift from one foot to the other, a nervous habit she watched him always do.

She wasn't really sure of what they were, rather if they were friends or something more. They have gotten closer ever since the search for her baby Sophia. She noticed a few of his scars, but never said anything. She knew he would tell her if he wanted to. She wasn't someone who would push it onto him, and she thought he respected that in her. She always read his movements like an open book. But when they stood there for those few moments, she wasn't sure what she was reading. Daryl closed off to her again, like everything they have done in the past few months was forgotten. Tears welled up into her eyes once more, and she knew Daryl saw them. She didn't want everything forgotten, like nothing ever happened. Like they were just two people surviving the zombie apocalypse.

"Stop your cryin' woman," He whispered, running a calloused thumb over her cheek. He was wiping them away, though they came out faster, "Told ya I was comin' back, an' I did," He was trying to be rational, trying to spare her feelings.

They weren't stopping though, and he knew it. She felt bad though, he wasn't the one for feelings. For the longest time, he would try and avoid her in these types of situations. This time he would try to stay, as though he cared about her. Who was he fooling? She knew he cared for her; and he knew she knew as well.

He kissed her cheek then, and the taste was salty. She was always the one to cry, and most of the time he didn't want to be around for it. He didn't like when women cry, his Ma did all the time, and he wasn't putting up for it for another one. But something about Carol is different. He feels the need to be there, like it's his duty.

His lips met hers, and she readily complied. His lips were rough against hers as they were pressed together. It was like a dance, something that was slow and sweet. But he pressed on ahead, pushing her gently towards the bed. She hit the mattress as Daryl was above her, keeping most of his weight off of her. His tongue traced her bottom lip lightly, asking for entrance. She opened her mouth completely, giving him complete access to roam as he pleased. She tasted sweet, despite the lack of hygiene products in the apocalyptic world. Their tongues battle for dominance, something he never thought he would see Carol fighting for. But in a strange sense, it turned him on. He groaned into her mouth, and he felt her breath coming quicker than normal.

He broke the kiss, looking down at her. Her eyes were closed, and her mouth was still parted, breathing heavily. The sweat was building on her forehead, barely gleaming due to the lack of light in the cell. She opened her eyes, her blue eyes staring into his as she smiled. There were no need for words, Daryl already knew the answer; she wanted to continue with him. He dipped his head into her neck, Carol turned away, giving him more access. His hands were starting to roam. Carol's soft moans were ringing in his ears as he caressed the clothed breasts. His member throbbed, feeling her nipples rise at his actions. His hands felt her curves and stopped at the hem of her shirt.

BANG

The first shot rang out, making Carol and Daryl jump. Judith was screaming down the hall as footsteps were running down the hall. Daryl jumped off the bed and looked out the cell door. Beth now had Judith, who was being handed to Hershel. Maggie gave Beth a gun, who then turned towards Daryl and waved him out.

"Daryl, what's going on?" Carol asked, pressing up behind him. She glanced over his shoulder, looking at the scene around them.

Daryl grabbed his crossbow, then started heading out of the cell, "Grab a gun and stay safe."

"Daryl!" He could here Rick calling out.

'But Daryl-' Carol was shushed by more shots as glass was flying into the prison. Judith's screams were barely heard through all the noise. She saw Daryl turn around and kiss her roughly. It was over before it even began.

"Stay safe," He said again before turning on his heel and started walking away.

"You better come back!" She shouted after him. She saw him smile as he turned the corner, giving her the reassurance she needed.