Chapter 1: Now or Never

Daryl: POV

Daryl crouched down silently. He hid himself in a bush holding his crossbow against his shoulder positioning it towards the deer. He eyed the animal then shot it right in the eye. The thing fell with a thud as it gave a final hoarse cry. Smirking he thought the group was going to eat good tonight. They hadn't eaten really well after the farm burned down. Food was getting hard to search for and with winter coming they had to find a place to stay. They searched high and low for a place but sadly they couldn't find anything. Rick was restless and wanted to find a place quickly. Lori was pregnant and the horrible truth of it was that she didn't even know if it was Rick's or Shane's child. They pushed themselves trying to find a decent place to stay at. Everyone was tired. This group was holding on survival as their main goal.

As spring reached its peak though, they had managed to find a prison. When they found the place it was crawling with geeks. They had come up with a plan to clear them out. They were very lucky they didn't lose anyone with the plan being dangerous and all. As soon as they managed the prison and had people on watch out in the courtyard they decided to give it a couple days to rest before heading into the prison. Not Daryl. He saw this group was struggling with food so he decided to head out to hunt.

He walked over to the dead animal, pulled his arrow out and hefted the deer over his shoulders. It was almost sundown when he reached his motorcycle. Placing the animal on his seat he looked up at the sunset. He didn't like riding in the night. Walkers were more active in the night than in the day. He swung his leg over the seat and breathed out glad he didn't get into real danger. He wanted to get to the prison. He wanted to make sure she was still safe while he was gone.

Carol.

His mind wavered to the thought of her and that made him start up his engine and leave. During the whole time they were trying to find a place, she didn't complain. She depended on herself and he was proud of her. Ever since her daughter Sophia died she changed dramatically. She took care of this group whether she knew it or not. She took up practice shooting but from his view she felt more comfortable with an axe. He helped her out more than anyone in the group. He kept telling himself that he didn't see her in a romantic way but failed miserably when she would smile at him. When he would come back from a hunt he looked forward to just seeing her face. He had never showed his emotions to anyone not even her but he gradually and forwardly would let his anger routine down and smile at her. Only her though. He never felt anything for women except a sexual need when he was going through puberty and when he read porn magazines. In his mind he knew something was forming between them but he didn't want to admit it. He always thought he was shit for her and he would just end up hurting her anyway.

Carol: POV

Carol was tired but she stayed alert. She looked around the prison yard and was glad it was safe…for now. She heard the sound of footsteps walking toward her. Glancing behind her, she saw Rick making his way to her.

"Where's Daryl?" He asked standing awkwardly next her. She smiled. Her and Rick had an edgy relationship after they escaped the barn. She didn't want to continue with him after he yelled at everyone saying he killed his best friend Shane for this group. She thought he had gone crazy but she noticed he was just scared and he was angry at Lori for pushing him away. She felt his pain. He tried his best and is still doing his hardest to keep this group going on and keeping them safe.

"Probably out hunting…said he'd be back before sundown." Carol sighed looking at Rick. Before Rick could say anything they heard the sound of Daryl's engine making its way to the entrance of the prison. Her heart leapt at the sound making her walk fast over to Daryl. He looked exhausted. She perceived the dead animal on his bike. Daryl glanced at her nodding. She was excited knowing this group finally had food! She gazed at him glad he was back and not harmed. During the time they spent looking for shelter she was aware that he was protecting her often. She felt she had to do something for this group. One day she got the guts to ask him to train her. He had, but she didn't practically like shooting or knifing down a geek. She had a better grip with an axe even though she was so small. She was elated that he helped her more than anyone in the group. But during winter she started having feelings for him. Not strong ones but ones that made her feel tingly in a good way. She knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help herself. She thought she was not good for him anyway. She was a daughterless, abused wife that was weak. She had scars…deep ugly revolting scars that scared her. She didn't give up though. She would try to do anything to protect this group even Daryl.

She saw the group gathering around a fire waiting for Daryl to finish gutting the animal. He handed her the meat and walked away sneaking a quick glance before making his way to clean himself. Carol blushed smiling to herself. She prepared the meat over the fire. There was more than enough for everybody so she grabbed a plate and a few slices for Daryl. She knew he wasn't eating much because he would give her his food telling her she needed it most. Sometimes she wished he would stop worrying about her so much but still she was pleased enough that he even cared. She saw him standing on the broken down bus watching over the area. She felt a pain in her shoulder and tried to move her shoulders around to subside it. When this group found the prison they came up with a plan and it had worked. Daryl and her ran to the watch tower and handed her a large rifle and her stomach churned. She didn't like handling bug guns. She shot down many of the geeks but after a while her shoulder started to hurt badly.

When she came to the bus she lifted his plate on the roof and tried to climb up her shoulder screaming with pain. Daryl grabbed her and pulled her up like she weighed nothing.

"It's not much but if I don't give you something you won't eat at all." She said hugging herself. It was still chilly outside. He grabbed the plate and starting eating.

"I guess lil' Shane always got quiet the appetite." Carol couldn't help but smile a little.

"Don't be mean." She sighed. "Ricks gotten us a lot farther than I ever thought he would, I'll give him that."

"Hum." Daryl hummed agreeing with her.

"Shane could never have done that." She said feeling the pain growing in her shoulder.

Daryl POV:

"What's wrong?" Daryl asked as he ate.

"That rifle in the kickback…just not used to it." She said trying to massage the pain from her shoulder. He didn't realize she was hurting. He placed the plate down telling her to turn around. He licked his fingers clean then placed his hands on her finding the knot that pained her. He noticed that she didn't tense up like she usually would. He caught her smiling and blushing. He felt her relax against his rough hands. He continued to massage her shoulder concentrating hard but then noticed her face. She glimpsed at him smiling even more. He was staring at her like a crazy fool. When he didn't feel the knot anymore he placed his hands down hating that he touched her for only a small amount of time.

"Better get back." He mumbled wanting to leave and not say something retarted or worse something with affection.

"Pretty romantic…wanna skrew around?" He heard her say. He froze giving her a look and almost smiled. He noticed her giggle and it made his heart leap unwillingly. He needed to leave now or he might really start taking up on her offer even if it was a joke.

"I'm going down first." He immediately regretted saying that because what Carol said made him almost lose his balance.

"Even better." She laughed out.

"Stop." He chuckled falling down. He looked up to see her struggle coming down from the roof. She was still laughing from her remark. He gripped her waist and pulled her down against his chest. His nostrils suddenly filled with her sweet scent. He wanted to push her away but something in him told him to not do it. He could feel her trying to pull away. He held her still not letting her go.

"Daryl?" He heard her whisper. He felt her soft hands touch his arm that was wrapped around her. He felt his eyelids close.

What the hell is wrong with you, are you becoming a pussy now! He yelled in his head. He let her go. Carol turned around and stared at him with her pale blue eyes. He got pissed off wishing she didn't affect him so much. He walked angrily to the group near the fire. He heard her sigh and jogged to catch up with him. This woman was going to be the death of him.

Carol POV:

3 days later

Carol POV:

Carol watched as Daryl, Rick, Glenn, Maggie and T-Dog entered the entrance to the prison. They were clearing out geeks one by one staying close to one another. It had been three days when they decided to go in and find shelter, food and hopefully medical supplies. Carol clasped a hold of her crowbar and struck a walker through the fence. She looked up to find the courtyard empty with lying walkers.

"Can you see them?" Lori asked gasping. Carol couldn't see them. She got worried. She wondered if they went farther down.

"Not from here." She said gripping the fence. She didn't want to lose anyone, especially Daryl.

Carol stood by the fence for what seemed like hours then jolted up hearing Maggie scream. She heard grunts and clanging sounds and heard a door open and shut. She looked at Lori who only shrugged with a worried expression on her face. They waited, standing next to the fence keeping a look out.

Carol couldn't think straight. She tried talking to Daryl after their moment near the broken down bus. She was just joking when she asked if he wanted to skew around. She was actually shocked that she even said that so she just laughed it off. She could still feel the sense of touch lingering on her shoulder from when he massaged her. He was good at giving massages that's for sure. When she was coming down from the bus he pulled her and gripped her tightly. He didn't say anything just held her against him. She asked him what was wrong looking up at him. He blankly stared at her then seemed to get angry. He pushed her away from him walking away. After that he only mumbled words and left only to go hunt and return late during the night. She tried countless times to talk to him but he just got angry and left. She wondered if he knew her feelings. She didn't want to tell him face to face because she feared it would be awkward and he would stop talking to her all together. She knew Daryl was one not to speak his feelings out or show any emotion.

"Yawl can come in now!" Daryl yelled at them. Carol's heart beat wildly against her chest. She looked back at the rest of the group telling them it was okay and went in. She walked up to Daryl who only nodded and breezed past her. She felt her stomach churn. She didn't want him angry with her. She huffed telling herself to get a grip. She walked in the cell block and was glad that they could finally sleep without any walkers trying to kill them. She noticed Daryl slam a cell door. She needed to talk to him. Not talking to each other was hurting her. Carrying Lori's stuff up stairs she sat down next to her.

"So, you and Daryl got into a fight or something?" Lori asked rubbing her belly. Carol smiled weakly at her.

"I don't know. He got angry at me I guess and won't talk about it with me." She said watching Lori rub her stomach. Carol felt a pang of sadness hit her. She missed her Sophia so much. Daryl had tried so hard to find her daughter. Lori grabbed her hand and placed it on her stomach. Carol could already feel the tears trailing down her cheek. Lori smiled softly at her.

"Everything will be fine." She whispered. Carol felt sad for Lori. She was doing her best to keep up with the baby and her husband who seemed to still ignore her. She also had Carl that seemed to not talk to her or go near her. She understood the feeling.

Carol had told Lori that if she needed anything just call out for her. She decided it was best to finally go talk to Daryl.

Daryl POV:

Daryl grumbled biting his thumb nail. He needed to talk to Carol. In his mind he kept replaying that moment he felt her against him. He was frustrated at himself that he pushed her away and was ignoring her. He wanted to tell her sorry but he didn't want to portray himself as a sensitive person. His mind was fucked up and he knew it. All he thought about was her. Where she was, what she was doing, how was she doing, Heck if she was even eating right! He didn't know what was wrong with him. She wasn't his problem yet he found himself making sure she was safe. He always wanted to know if she was safe or not. He punched the wall next to him. That's when he heard her gasp that he turned around and saw her staring at him angrily.

"What do you want?" He snarled. He didn't want to see her right now. His head was still messed up with her in his mind. He heard her exhale as she made her way to him sitting on the edge of the bed looking at him. He just glared at her.

"We need to talk Daryl."

"What's there to talk about?!" He harshly said getting away from her. Stop...

"Fine…if you don't want to talk about it then I'm done with you." She snapped quickly getting off the bed. He watched her leave feeling the anger rising. Damn her!

He kicked the bed post feeling pain rear up his ankle. He didn't care just kept kicking the bed. He felt like an ass. He wanted to tell her how he felt about her but he couldn't. He didn't want to care he didn't want to…love. He didn't want to feel a damn thing when he would lose her. I can't lose you too… He balled his fists remembering what she had said to him.

He heard footsteps coming his way. He thought it might have been Carol but instead it was Rick.

"Hey...I think it is best to clear out another cell and possibly find those medical supplies we might need." Rick asked. Daryl just nodded not meeting his eyes.

"You alright?" Dammit…he just had to ask.

"Just peachy." He growled. Rick just shrugged and left. He huffed finally sitting down on the bed.

It was getting dark out and he needed rest. He wanted to go and apologize to Carol but he feared she would just turn him down. Feeling his eyes closing he drifted to sleep.

Carol POV:

She was angry and honestly she wanted to punch something. Instead she just went outside to get fresh air. She walked out and saw that there were no dead bodies around and was thankful that the guys cleared it out. She spotted the benches and strolled over plopping herself against one. She looked around and noticed that a few walkers were around clawing at the gate. It was getting dark but she didn't care. Looking up at the sky she watched the stars.

She heard the door creak open and saw that Lori was coming out, walking over to her.

"Men can be such asses you know…" She smiled sitting herself next to Carol.

Carol laughed glad that Lori was here. Over the months their friendship became important to her and she couldn't ask for a better friend.

"I'm guessing you heard us…?" She sighed

"It's none of my business but I think Daryl means well…what I'm trying to say is that maybe he is not good with feelings." Lori said glancing at her.

"He isn't but I just wished sometimes he would drop it and let me in. I want him to know that he can be real with me, but he can be tough to crack."

"You love him…don't you?" Lori asked nervously.

"Honestly…I like him and when I'm around him something in me just lights up and I get excited when I'm with him. I'm just worried that if I tell him how I feel he will pull back and start to ignore me…I don't want to lose what we have now."

"I see the way he looks at you, you know. I think he feels the same way about you but is worried that you might pull away." With that Lori got up and waved her hand signaling her to follow her.

"Now come on, it's getting cold out here." Carol grinned walking up next to Lori.

Daryl POV:

He woke to the sounds of laughter and giggling. He rubbed his head and eyes wondering how long he was out for. He heard the laughter again and noticed it was Carol's and Lori's. He pushed himself up and got out of bed. Walking out he spotted the girls down stairs. He just stood there. Hearing her laugh cleared his mind. He sat down propping himself next to the wall. Getting his knife out he started to carve the concrete listening to her laugh.

"You're every bit as good as them…every bit." She whispered. He flinched when she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Daryl lightly smirked remembering her every word. He eyed the floor. He had carved out what she had said.

He got up and walked down hearing the laughing dying down. He decided it was now or never. Lori was getting up and calling it a night leaving only him and Carol.

"Can I sit with ya?" He asked

"Sure." She softly smiled. He looked away sitting cross-legged. That smile that she would spread on her face was his weakness and damn him he actually was glad that he loved her smiles.

They sat there for some time. Now or never…

"…Sorry." He mumbled. He gazed at her. She locked her eyes to his.

"It's fine."

"No it…ain't…what I'm trying to say is that…umm I'm not good at this…but I want you to know that I care for you." He held in his breath hoping that she would not say anything that would make him regret his words.

"I care about you too." She murmured. They didn't say anything after that. He was getting tired but that was when he felt her head lay on his shoulder. He looked over to see her even breathing and her eyes closed.

Carol POV:

Carol felt her body being lifted up. She could smell the earthy and musk scent on him and clung to his neck. The next thing she remembered was the pillow against her head and his voice…

"Goodnight…Carol."