Carol sat listening to the women around her gossiping. When she had first started integrating herself in their group they had tried tirelessly to get her to talk about her group. They learned quickly she wasn't the type to gossip. They eventually stopped trying.
On this particular day they were having a sewing day, mending clothes and random things the other members found for them to fix. They started doing it mostly as just an excuse to sit in the sun and talk. The day was warm, just bordering on hot. It was a quiet day with most of the people enjoying days off from their normal duties. Deanna was enjoying some down time with them to get away from her leadership duties. She rarely joined them but when she did Carol enjoyed her company. She was a bit naive about somethings, but she was smart and cared greatly for the community.
The women were giggling over a possible new relationship developing between two members that Carol really didn't know. They had been outside for an hour when chills ran through Carol's body. Looking around she knew something was off, but couldn't quite place it. Putting down her sewing she stood. Turning a slow circle she tried to place what was wrong.
When she looked toward the gate she realized it was open, but barely enough for a body to fit through. It didn't immediately register that the two people walking toward them, were actually walkers. She was about to alert the other women when she saw Michonne jogging toward the bodies sword raised. Carol ran to the gate and closed it quickly. The commotion had drawn a small crowd, including Rick and Daryl who had been inside talking.
"The gate was open?" Rick asked, his voice raised in anger.
Rick and Michonne were talking and Carol was watching the crowd trying to figure out who did it. She noticed Gabriel who was standing back from the crowd. He was sweating and shaking and he appeared to be talking to himself. Maggie had told the group about his conversation with Deanna and Rick had told them all to keep an eye on him. He had seemed to adapt and integrate with the community but now he seemed to be slipping again.
The crowd was dispersing and Rick stopped beside her, "Anything?"
"Gabriel," was all she had to say. He gave a curt nod and walked away. Seeing Daryl standing nearby watching them she gave him a smile and a nod. She was rewarded with a small smile, before he turned and followed Rick.
When she rejoined the group they were chatting excitedly about the event. Deanna was missing, she would be meeting with Rick most likely. Carol tried to make herself relax, the adrenaline making her tense. She kept an eye on the gate, even though there was two men on either side now with guns ready. The rest of the time passed uneventfully.
Later that evening Carol, Michonne, Rick, Daryl, Maggie and Glenn all sat around the living room discussing the day's events, "I'm sure it was Gabriel, but without proof Deanna isn't going to let us do anything," Rick explained. "We're going to have a guard 24/7 at the gate. There's going to be a community wide meeting tomorrow." Meeting the eyes of everyone in the room he emphasized, "Gabriel doesn't leave our sight," everyone nodded in agreement.
After a few more minutes of planning they all dispersed. Carol flopped onto her bed without bothering with removing her clothes. She heard the door open, but didn't bother looking, already knowing who it was.
"You're not gonna take your shoes off?" Carol felt the bed dip as Daryl sat down.
"Too tired." Carol mumbled into the pillow under her face. Moving her head so she could see Daryl "My body isn't used to the adrenaline rushes anymore, and playing nice with the locals would exhaust anyone."
Daryl chuckled, "I agree with you there." Reaching for Carol's foot he started to remove her shoes. He hated the ugly brown flat shoes. They symbolized the weak woman she used to be and was passing herself off as now. He hated her pretending to be weak. He also admired her for the fortitude and cunning it took to pull off such a ruse. No matter how weak she pretended to be he knew the truth.
Carol looked over her shoulder at Daryl who seemed to be lost in thought while playing with a strap on her boot. "Daryl?" she spoke quietly, not wanting to startle him. He looked up and shook his head slightly, "Sorry. Got lost in thought."
"What were you thinking about?" she couldn't help asking.
Daryl shook his dead again, "I was thinking about how awesome you are," he answered honestly. A very un-lady like scoff was her only response.
Chuckling at her, he pushed her lightly. She was now laying on her back, hands behind her head. Her eyes were closed and she was smiling. It was rare for her to give genuine smiles these days. After losing her when she was banished Daryl realized how much he depended on her support. How much he enjoyed having her nearby, even when they weren't talking, just being close.
It wasn't until after the hospital that his feelings changed. When Carol pushed him to grieve he realized no one had ever known him as well as she did. No one had ever cared for him the way she did. While on his first trip out with Aaron he had had time to think about her and realized he loved her. He had decided that he needed to stop shutting her out. The night they got back he had gone to her. She had been in her room reading and the way her face lit up when she saw him made him feel like he could have conquered the world.
Now every night he would go to her room and they would talk or just sit together and be close. He hadn't been able to work up the courage to tell her his newly discovered feelings, but the smiles he got were enough for now.
Feeling her foot poke his hip he realized he had been lost in his thoughts again. "What is up with you tonight?" The concern in her voice made him feel warm inside.
He smiled at her shaking his head, "Just thinkin'," he moved to lay beside her. Without thought he grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers. When he realized what he did he looked at her. She had a strange expression on her face, but recovered quickly and squeezed his hand not letting it go, "Tell me about your day." They talked until Carol fell asleep. He gently extricated his hand from hers and covered her with a blanket from a chair in the corner. He then quietly let himself out.
Carol awoke to the sound of people moving about the house. The sun had just barely peaked in the sky so she knew it was either, Daryl, Rick or Michonne. They were the only ones, besides herself, who were ever willingly up at this hour. As she woke more fully her mind flashed back to the night before when Daryl had held her hand. She had noticed lately that he had changed how he acted around her. He would just randomly touch her, gentle touches to her back or arm. He smiled at her nearly every time their eyes met now. The nightly visits to her room were her favorite change. She had never simply enjoyed being in someone else's company the way she did his. After lying in bed daydreaming for several minutes she got up and set about her morning routine. She had breakfast duty today and the older citizens didn't like to be kept waiting.
Three hours later breakfast was finished and delivered and it was time for the community meeting. There wasn't a house big enough for all the people so they gathered in the streets. Carol was standing toward the back barely listening as Deanna and Rick took turns talking about how they were implementing new safety precautions. She had to fight the desire to roll her eyes when a woman asked if it was really necessary. Then there was an argument over the amount of extra work that would entail.
Carol could see the frustration building up in Rick, but before it boiled over Deanna spoke up, "We're making too many mistakes when it comes to safety. Just yesterday two of those things just walked right in here. Who cares about a little more work, when our lives are at stake," all the complaining stopped immediately. Carol couldn't help but be impressed.
After dolling out knew responsibilities and getting volunteers for gate duty the meeting was finished. As everyone went their own ways, Carol saw Daryl standing leaned against a house completely lost in thought again.
"You're not this distracted outside the walls are you?" The sound of her voice caused him to jump and then cuss at being caught off guard. Turning to face her, he saw her looking at him expectantly, "Uh…what?" he asked.
She frowned, "I said you aren't this distracted outside the walls are you?" she had her arms crossed leaning beside him now.
"Pffft! I'm not distracted," he tried to argue. He knew from her expression she didn't believe him a bit. Looking at her standing beside him, her eyes were bright blue sparkling in the sun. Her hair looked so soft he wanted to touch it. Her mouth was quirked into a smile and he realized he was staring. He felt his cheeks warm and he mumbled something about talking to Rick and then he rushed off without looking back.
When Carol turned from watching him walk away, she was confronted with Gabriel standing several feet from her, staring. She had seen the look before, from her own husband. It was a look of pure hate and disgust, and it was directed at her. There was a brief stare off before Gabriel turned and walked away. Feeling out of sorts from the encounter Carol instinctively reached for the knife at her hip. She sighed when she remembered she didn't wear it anymore. She knew that had to change.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. She was finally ready to go to bed after saying goodnight to the people still in the living room. When she opened the door to her room, she was startled to see Daryl laying on her bed asleep. The only light in the room was a small lamp on the nightstand.
When she closed the door he was awake immediately, turning in her direction. He was worried for a second she would be upset he was there, but the smile she gave him abolished his fears.
"I thought you were with Aaron," she said removing her shoes.
"I was but got finished early. I was looking for you to tell you, me and Aaron are heading out tomorrow," he paused and waited for her reaction. She sighed, but didn't say anything right away. She was shrugging out of her sweater. He noticed immediately she had on her knife. He was about to comment on it but was distracted, when she whipped her shirt over her head. She was wearing a tank top under it and he couldn't decide if he was glad or not.
He was still staring at her toned arms when he heard her say, "Why so soon?" she moved to the bed now, unceremoniously crawling over him to get to the other side. He had to fight the urge not to grab her and just hold her against him. He watched her remove her knife and sheath and lay it on the nightstand beside her, while he talked. "One of the run crew saw a group of people close by. Deanna wants us to check them out."
She was laying on her back, arms behind her head, "That makes sense," she agreed turning to her side, "You need to talk about what's been keeping you distracted. You can't be spacing out like you have been lately."
He knew she was right, but was uncomfortable at the thought of telling her he was distracted because of his feelings for her. He was fiddling with a loose string on the blanket beside him. She nudged him with the back of her hand, causing him to look up, "Talk to me or if you don't want to talk to me, talk to Aaron." Looking into her eyes he could see the caring and the worry. Losing his nerve he jumped out of the bed quickly, "I gotta go um...pack," he muttered lamely, and then fled.
Carol was used to his unexpected mood swings, but she could tell something was bothering him. She thought about following him, but knew he wouldn't talk. She only hoped he talked to Aaron. Instead she shimmied out of her pants under the covers and snuggled down under the blankets, not even bothering to turn out the lamp.
She was startled awake by the feeling of the bed dipping beside her, turning quickly she grabbed for her knife, "Hey! It's just me." At the sound of Daryl's voice she relaxed, "God you scared me," she complained as she squinted against the light in the room.
He had changed his clothes and his hair was wet from a recent shower, "Are you heading out?"
Daryl's only response was a nod. He was looking at her strangely and something told her to just let him work through it. She lay back on her back propped on some pillows and waited.
After a considerable amount of time Daryl cleared his throat and scooted closer. He moved to where was leaning over her with an arm on the opposite side of her. She tried not to show any reaction, but her heart rate picked up.
"I don't know how to say what I need to say...," he paused looking down at the hand so close to her hip. Looking back up, "I wanna do something, don't freak out," as he leaned his face closer to hers all Carol could do was nod.
His face was mere inches from hers, she could smell the mint from his toothpaste. When he met her eyes she gave a slight nod, trying to encourage him. Seconds later he closed the distance and his lips were against hers. Then just as quickly they were gone and he was turned looking at his shoes.
Even though he had taken his time and she knew what he was doing she was still shocked. Seeing him turned away from her now, she knew he was afraid of what her reaction was going to be, "Daryl," she spoke quietly. He twitched, but didn't look at her. This insecure side of him broke her heart, sitting up and moving closer she touched his back, leaving her hand there and rubbing him with her thumb.
"Is this why you have been distracted?" He nodded, turning his face to her finally, he mumbled, "I don't know how to have these feelings."
Carol chuckled and put her forehead against his shoulder, "I don't think anyone does really."
Daryl knew she was probably right. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her more, but was still afraid. When he moved a little she raised her head from his shoulder and smiled at him. She put her hand on his face and ran her thumb over his lips. He looked down at her lips and she seemed to have the same thought as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. The angle was a little awkward, but he didn't care. Their lips were simply pressed together when suddenly Carol pulled away but was soon back with an opened mouth kiss. Daryl was embarrassed by a grunt that escaped of its own accord. He recovered quickly and was returning the kiss wholeheartedly.
Carol was completely lost in the kiss. She had grown to hate kissing while with Ed, as he would cram his tongue down her throat as just another way to dominate. Daryl though was gentle but passionate, letting her take control.
Daryl had never been kissed like this or wanted to kiss anyone like this. His sexual experiences consisted of lots of tongue and spit and rutting around until someone finished. This was completely different. He wanted to savor every second. He hadn't even really thought of kissing anyone since the world changed, now he never wanted to stop. He knew he had to right now because Aaron was waiting outside for him. With great hesitation and a groan he pushed her away, "I'm sorry, but Aaron is waiting."
With a big sigh Carol stood up and pulled him with her. When they were both standing a facing each other Carol remembered she wasn't wearing pants. Acting calmer about it than she actually felt, she put her arms around his neck, "Anyone ever tell you that you have horrible timing?" she chuckled when Daryl smiled and nodded. Pulling his dead down for another kiss, she jumped when he grabbed her butt with both hands and gave a firm squeeze. Laughing out right she pushed him away, "Get out of here." He gave her a quick peck before heading for the door. "Be careful," she said and he was gone after a wave.
Carol didn't have to be up for another couple of hours so she snuggled back under the covers and replayed the kiss over and over. It was the best kiss she had ever had. Of all the times she had allowed her to fantasize about Daryl she had never thought he would have made the first move. She wasn't sure what brought it on, but she was thankful for whatever it was.
When it was time to get up she was still in bed just thinking. Today after delivering food she was going to be stocking supplies with a few of the other women, one of the run crews had scored a box truck full of supplies. It was going to be a day filled with heavy lifting, giggling and gossip. At least she had the kiss to think back on. She couldn't help the smile permanently on her face.