Carol looked over at the gruff redneck who was standing beside her. Sophia was dead and Daryl still didn't know. She could tell by his eyes, he didn't remember her. How could he? That was years ago, back in high school. But still, four and a half long years together. She sighed and went back to the RV. It didn't matter, or at least that's how it seemed. It didn't matter to Daryl, he didn't remember and he never would. Hell, how could he? Carol has been so different back then, physically, emotionally, and mentally. She'd been a teenage girl, long brown hair, big hazel eyes, a contagious laugh, a smile always on her face, carefree, and mentally strong. Hell, everything about her was strong, she was a very proud girl, not proud like the bimbos carrying pom-poms, but proud like any self-respecting teenage girl should be. Now, her hair was short and the gray was evident in it, her spirit had been broken by Ed, smiles didn't come easy to her face, and she wasn't proud like she had once been, holding her head high, now it was low and sad, just like the rest of her.
Carol screamed out, she was out of ammo, Andrea had dashed off and she was alone. The blaze of the barn fire lit up everything around her, along with the full moon, and she could see the horde of walkers getting ever closer to her. She cringed and swung the gun, hitting one and running off, hoping to avoid any walkers and their mouths. She heard the rumble of Daryl's crotch-rocket. She looked up to see him speeding towards her. "C'mon! I ain't got all day!" he shouted at her. Carol wiped a stray tear away and ran over to him and hopped on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist without a second thought as he tore away, dodging all walkers in his path.
Carol glanced over at Daryl. They were safe again. For now at least. His eyes flicked across the fire to meet her's. The fire was dimming and they were the last two awake. They had the entrances, exits, and windows boarded up so no walkers could get in while they were resting, so it was safe to sleep. Carol looked back down into the flames and shivered a little. The clothes she was wearing were not suited to keep her warm against the oncoming winter weather. "C'mere." Daryl whispered gruffly. Carol looked up at him to see him pull a poncho out of his big. "Ya cold or not?" he asked with irritation. Carol nodded and walked around the fire to him. He scooted back from the fire a little to where his pallet was and he motioned for her to sit down. Carol sat down and Daryl slid the poncho over her head, fixing it in spots and then laying down. "There, now lay down." He growled.
Carol lay down beside him, using his bag as a pillow and he tossed the large quilt over the two of them. "Thank you Daryl." She whispered, her hazel eyes meeting his brown ones.
"Yer welcome." He said quietly, slowly closing his eyes.
Daryl slowly opened his eyes to see Carol's sleeping face in front of him. He jumped slightly at first only to relax remembering why she was there. He heard the others moving around quietly and slowly all around him, but he did not move he simply continued to stare into the sleeping woman's face. A pang of something long gone hit him in the chest as he tried to decipher the freckles on her face. Ever since he had came to the camp outside Atlanta, and had seen her with Ed and Sophia he'd recognized her, but he was still unsure of how. What was it about this woman? This once abused woman who was slowly unthawing his heart. Back to the human heart it had once been, back in high school, back before he started to help Merle. Back when he knew what love was.
"Yo Daryl, you mind helping us out here?" T-Dog asked quietly, not wanting to wake Carol. Daryl stood up and nodded, covering the sleeping woman back up. He smiled lightly down at her. I swear Carol, I will figure it out, if not fer me…then fer you. He thought as he followed T-Dog over to a deer Daryl had shot the day before. "Yeah…none of us really know how to skin it and all that…" T-Dog said uneasily.
"It's fine. Just leave me to it." Daryl grunted.
Daryl looked over at Carol who had just awoken. She was whispering to Lori about helping her clean up and cook dinner. "You're fine Carol. I got this all under control." Lori said with a gentle smile.
"Are you sure?" Carol said, her eyes flicking down to Lori's stomach.
Lori chuckled lightly, "I'm sure Carol. Maybe in a few weeks or so, but as of right now? I've got this all under control. Go relax." Lori said, pacing a gentle hand on Carol's shoulder before walking away.
Daryl watched as Carol sighed and hung her head even more than it normally was. "Ya want somethin' t'do?" Daryl asked, glancing over at Carol.
Carol looked over at Daryl and nodded. She walked over, "Yes please." she said quietly.
Daryl looked into her eyes, trying to search for the answer to the question that was nagging at him constantly. Who was she? And why was she so familiar? Daryl nodded, "Sit on down and hold these bags open fer me then. Ya might get some blood on yer hands..." he said.
Carol nodded and sat down beside him, her eyes drifting from Daryl down to the deer. He watched as a ghost of a smile appeared on her face and she said, "Sure can do."
Daryl looked into Carol's eyes and Carol did everything in her power not to turn away, not to fear him. He wasn't Ed. She had to remember that. He never was, and he never would be. No matter what. It wasn't Daryl's nature. "Sit on down and hold these bags open fer me then. Ya might get some blood on yer hands..." he said, pulling her out of her thoughts slightly.
Carol nodded and sat down. It reminded her of the good ole days, when he'd come home late at night and call her after a successful hunt. She'd race over and help him with the deer. Mainly she was just there for company and to talk with him, but she helped him. She held the bag. That had started her seventh grade year, the year she had moved into the small town he lived in. It was because she wasn't afraid of Merle that they had become friends, she had stood up to Merle. She had shown a true interest in Daryl, that is how they had become friends...that is how they had fallen in love. So maybe, just maybe that's how it would happen again. She fought a smile and said, "Sure can do." Even if Daryl doesn't remember all in the end, she knew she wanted this to be how it started once again. But instead of overcoming Merle's tyranny and him trying to scare her, it would be her overcoming her fear of men...all because of Ed. That one man had ruined her, but a redneck and a Cherokee rose was already in the process of fixing it all.
Alright the whole reason I blew through the second season is because I don't want to fallsify that season.
I want that one to remain untouched. Their brewing love in that season was enough, all I did was put some thoughts in Carol's head...that is all for that season.
The rest of the story though is another thing. I have no idea how long it will be, or if they will both survive...because in the comics Daryl doesn't exist and I'm pretty sure Carol dies. So yeah.
Also, if I do go into the third season, I will keep the main storyline in tact, but just add fluff to it.
Sorry, I thought this should be vocalized in a way.
I hope y'all liked this though! I love feedback!
Daryl-Dixons-Gurl
