I wasn't sure if i was going to post this right away but i guess i am!

A couple things before you read, this is AU and might not make sense at first! I've had this idea in my head ever since i heard that theory that Rick is still in his coma and he will wake up with everything back to normal, like the apocalypse never happened and Lori didn't die and all that... Well i always thought about the idea so i decided to write it out :) but its not exactly like that i put my own spin on it :)

i hope you enjoy reading the first chapter! reviews are most welcome! oh and P.S The flu never happened but Lizzie and Mika's father still ended up dying! (sorry not sorry) enjoy!

I DO NOT OWN THE WALKING DEAD OR ITS CHARACTERS.

-CAROL-

Carol woke up panting. She had one of the worst dreams she has ever had. She dreamt she was running. Running from monsters, then all of a sudden she stopped at what she thought was a dead end and screamed as the monsters got closer. She thought this was it but then spotted a door off to the side and quickly opened preying it was a way out. Sadly the door led into another long and confusing hallway. She didn't know where she was but she could hear someone was screaming, screaming for her. She outran the monsters but tripped and fell. Before waking up she remembered hearing the same voice as before screaming her name as she slowly blacked out.

Carol forced herself up wanting to forget the terrible dream, she had no idea where she was, how she got there or why she was running from those things. She didn't even know what the things were. She didn't get a good look or didn't remember how they looked, but she knew they were dangerous.

Carol walked into the kitchen and poured two mugs of coffee. Ed passed out on the couch, and would be waking up soon demanding she got his coffee ready. Carol made it as quick as she could and finished making it just in time for him to drag his lazy ass into the kitchen. He grabbed the mug without even muttering thanks before slouching down on a chair.

"Carol? What the hell!" He angrily said pushing the coffee back on the table, "This coffee tastes like shit!" Ed got up and made his way over to Carol. She took a step away from him but that only riled him up. "Carol, don't back away when I am speaking to you! You're a worthless bitch!"

Carol stopped and looked up at Ed. "Do... You want... Me to make different coffee for you?" she cried out in pain when his fist connected with her jaw. She fell to the ground and tried to make herself as small as possible.

"Yer a dumb bitch." Ed said kicking her once in the ribs.

Carol winced holding her hands over her rib cage. Ed grabbed his car keys and walked over Carol who was doubled over in pain.

"I'm goin'. When I get back I expect dinner on the table, do you understand?"

"Yes…Ed." Carol spit out.

Carol laid there for a couple minutes before hearing little footsteps coming down the stairs; she got up quickly knowing it was Sophia. Carol didn't want her daughter seeing her like that even though Sophia already knew what kind of man her daddy was. Carol got up still clutching her ribs, they were definitely bruised.

"Mom?" Sophia called out.

"Yes sweetie?" Carol said pulling her daughter in for a hug.

"Are you okay?" She said hugging her mother tightly.

"Yes honey, I'm fine... Let's get you ready for school." Sophia nodded and started to get ready. Carol ran her hands through her short hair sighing.

-DARYL-

Daryl waited outside Carol's cell. He couldn't believe what happened, he didn't want to but he knew it was his fault.

Just that morning Daryl was sitting with the council planning another run. They needed to plan out there runs more carefully the last run was when they went to the big spot and things didn't exactly go too well. The building wasn't stable and walkers fell through the roof and attacked the group, killing Beth's boyfriend Zach.

"We need to make sure the area is safe first." Said Hershel, looking at Maggie.

"I know Daddy, we can get a small group to spot it out first then we can do a sweep of the building with others on watch. It will be fine." She reassured.

"Fine but you better promise me that you will be careful."

"I always am daddy." Maggie said touching her father's arms.

"So whose gunna go?" Daryl said moving a little closer to the table.

"Well I was thinking, you, me, Glenn, Sasha, Tyreese, Bob, Michonne, some of the new people in cell block D, and anyone else that wants to volunteer." Maggie said.

Carol stood up facing Maggie, "I want to go."

"Carol you sure?" Maggie questioned.

"Yes." Carol paused as if she was thinking it over, "Yes I want to go, I want to help. Plus I need to get out of the prison for once." She finished with a small smile.

"Okay Carol, its settled we will go out tomorrow." Daryl watched her nod at Maggie then look over at him.

Their eyes meeting only for a quick second before Daryl averted his and looked at the ground.

The meeting was over and the council got up to left the tiny room. Daryl saw Carol get up to leave but he grabbed her arm making her wait so he could talk to her.

"You're not going." He stated once everyone left the building. He let go of her arm, and she folded them.

"Yes I am, Daryl, and you can't stop me."

Daryl knew he couldn't do anything to stop her, but he wasn't done trying. He thought maybe he could get her to change her mind. The runs were getting worse and worse every time. They were losing people on them and more dangerous stuff was going down. Without care takers the buildings were slowly deteriorating, and falling apart, make a wrong move and you could fall through the floor or get seriously injured.

"Why Carol." Daryl hoped she would stay, instead of risking her life. What if she did die on the run? She promised Lizzie and Mika's father she would take care of them.

"I want to get out. I want to do something Daryl! I won't just sit here and watch people risk their lives one person can make a difference! I can make a difference."

"What if Lizzie and Mika need ya?"

"They are strong. They can take care of themselves plus Daryl I'll be coming back."

"I don't think ya should go."

"Why? Do you not think I can do it? I can and I will!" Carol got up leaving Daryl in the room by himself.

Daryl knew she could do it. He knew very well she was stronger than most of the people in the prison but he was scared of losing her. They have gone through too much and he has lost so much that if she were to get hurt or die Daryl would never be the same and he knew that. She kept him grounded but most of the time he pushed her away only to realize he didn't want to push her away but pull her closer.

Daryl ran out of the council's meeting room and went in the direction he saw her go. He chased after her in hopes to catch up. When he did catch up to her they were deep within the tombs.

"Carol!" he called.

"I can handle myself Daryl! I don't need you chasing after me." She screamed back at him.

"Carol! Calm down. Let's just go back."

"No! I'm not going back you can. I can handle myself." She repeated. Carol then started walking further in the tombs, Daryl followed behind her, "I'm serious Daryl. I don't need you to baby me."

Something in Daryl snapped and he frowned, "I ain't babying ya. Ya just can't get ya ass out of trouble an I end up getting ya out of it."

"I do not!" Carol yelled back, "Why do you even care what I do. I don't need you."

"Fine go on the run. I don't care bout what happens to ya anyways."

Carol hesitated before responding, "fine. Just leave ok… Can you just-"

"Carol? I can just what? Ya know I ain't got time for ya shit." Daryl interrupted; he then turned around and walked away from her.

As Daryl walked he faintly heard Carol's words, "Can you just get out of my life."

If Carol wanted to go and risk her life Daryl sure as hell didn't care about her… but really he did care, he cared a lot and he wasn't happy she was going. He didn't want to sit there and yell at her anymore and he just didn't want to see her get hurt. Her words stung him.

"Maybe I should just get out of your life. Nobody needs me, not even you." He whispered as he walked back towards the cell block. Daryl was just walking into the cell block when he heard her screaming. He swiftly turned around running into the tombs screaming her name.

-CAROL-

For the third night in a row Carol woke up having strange dreams. They were all about running through dark endless hallways with no hope of getting out but last night's dream was different. Her dream was about running but getting stuck in a small room. She felt like the room was closing in on her but when she tried to get out the door wouldn't budge. She sat there feeling like she was getting weaker and weaker, the walls closing in on her. Then when she thought there was no hope a figure masked by the darkness opened the door and grabbed her. She was grateful to be out of that small room and tried to look at the person that saved her but woke up before seeing who it was.

Carol forced herself up from the strange dream and went to get Sophia for school. Ed didn't come home that night and really Carol could have cared less for his well being. Ed not being there meant that she didn't get beaten by him, so she was in a pretty good mood.

"Sophia, get up and get ready." Carol called into the girl's room.

"Mom?" Sophia called slowly walking out of her room.

"Ya?"

"I love you. You know that right?"

"Yes Sophia. I love you too." Carol said hugging her daughter.

"You will be fine without me. Remember that okay?"

Carol stopped and looked at Sophia, "Without you? Honey what are you talking about?"

Sophia looked at Carol with a sympathetic look on her face, "Everything is going to be fine, Mom. Come on. We are going to be late!"

Carol looked at her watch, they were running late. She didn't even have time to wonder what Sophia was talking about. Carol ran her hands through her short gray hair, as she walked in the kitchen to get Sophia's breakfast.

-DARYL-

"Daryl?" Rick said looking at him. "Daryl…"

Daryl didn't answer as if his mind was shut off, he sat outside her call with his crossbow leaning against the wall beside him. All he could think about was what he wished he could take back.

"You okay?" Daryl nodded at Rick. "Daryl she's going to be fine. Hershel's looking her over now. She will be fine, it's Carol after all." He still didn't respond and Rick was worried for his and Carol's well being, "Daryl, what happened?"

"Walkers got in." Was all that Daryl said his eyes were trained on an arrow that he was rolling around in his hand.

"No Daryl, we know about the walkers I mean, what happened to Carol?"

"It's my fault." Daryl said moving his eyes to the floor, "I shouldn't have left. If I didn't she wouldn't be like this."

"It's nobody's fault." Said Rick eyeing Daryl, "I still need to know what happened. Why was she in the tombs in the first place?"

Daryl paused, "She got mad at me an ran ta the god damn tombs. After talkin ta her I left then heard her screamin." Daryl took a deep breath, "I ran, but didn't get there in time. She was cornered by dem fuckers. I was close ta her but she kept running farther, and then she tripped while they were chasin er and hit her head on somethin. She was knocked unconscious."

Rick nodded. "I'm sure she just got knocked out, she will be fine Daryl don't worry." Rick got up and walked away from Daryl. Daryl probably wouldn't have talked to anyone else if they asked him what happened he only fully trusted certain people like Carol and Rick. Daryl stayed outside Carol's cell he was scared to go in and see her lying there unconscious. He knew he caused what had happened to her. If he just stayed then maybe she wouldn't be in this mess.

"Son, if you want you can come see her now…" Hershel said, calling outside the cell to Daryl.

"Is she awake?" Daryl said getting up and walking to the doorway.

"No but she looks a little better than before."

Daryl walked in stopping to look at her lying there. She looked so peaceful and innocent but at the same time lifeless. Daryl felt a pang of guilt wash over him but didn't let it show. He walked over and sat down in a chair beside her bed. He sat there and watched Carol's slow breathing hoping she would wake up but only to be disappointed.

"She's gunna wake up right?" He finally asked not moving his eyes from Carol.

"Daryl. I'm not too sure-" Daryl got up and looked at Hershel with fire in his eyes.

"She has to wake up! Ain't there somethin ya can give her? Medicine? Somethin!?" Daryl raised his voice now. He was angry why couldn't she just wake up?

"Daryl, Calm down. I'm doing everything I can."

"There has to be something else!" he screamed.

"Daryl. Why don't you go rest? I will take care of her, watch for anything alright?" Hershel went to touch Daryl's back but Daryl quickly moved away from him.

"I'm gunna stay here. Wait for her to wake up." he said calming down. He went and sat back down in the chair beside her bed.

"Okay tell me if anything happens." Hershel said giving a weak smile before walking out of the cell.

Daryl looked at Carol feeling guilt again. How could I have let you down? He thought.

"Please, Carol. Wake up." He said to her before drifting off to sleep. The stress that was bugging him all day made him extremely exhausted.

-Carol-

"Come on mom!" Sophia said waving to her mother.

Carol walked over and sat down on the park bench beside her.

"I'm here. I'm here." She said. Sophia reached over and grabbed her mother's hand. "Why did you want me to bring you here?" Carol said motioning to the park.

"I don't know. It's quiet and peaceful." Sophia shrugged. Carol noticed the change in her daughter. She seemed braver. Sophia was also saying things that Carol didn't understand like, everything will be okay and you will be fine. Fine? What was Sophia talking about? Carol often questioned her motives but Sophia would always change the subject, not answer or simply say that she loved her.

"Wanna get some ice cream?" Carol called looking over to Sophia with a smile on her face.

"Sure mom. Let's go." Sophia gave a small smile and Carol's smile grew bigger. Carol loved Sophia and would do anything to protect her from Ed. After having some ice cream Carol decided to take Sophia home. When they pulled into the drive way she noticed Ed's car was there. Carol's stomach twisted when she saw the car. She completely forgot to keep track of time. She hoped they would get back before Ed got home so he didn't have to know they were gone. Getting very nervous she walked in the door and saw him glaring at her. she wasn't home when he got there and she was out with Sophia, Ed made it very clear he didn't want her doing things like that but Carol thought Sophia deserved it because she was always so sweet.

Carol eyed Ed then bent down next to Sophia, "Honey I think you should go up to your room."

Sophia nodded and whispered back, "its okay mom. Everything will be fine soon."

Carol looked at her with confusion but Sophia quickly ran up the stairs and she felt Ed grab her from behind.

"Bitch. Where were you today?" He said gripping her arm tightly so it would bruise.

"I went out with Sophia. She wanted to show me the park."

"You were whoring around weren't you? Worthless slut I don't need this shit from you." Ed gripped tighter on her arm and she yelped in pain. "Bitch I have plans for you. Maybe next time you will think twice about disobeying me!" Carol had tears on her eyes and Ed dragged her away.

-Daryl—

It was only the second day that Carol had been in some sort of Coma but it felt like years to Daryl. He was still sitting by her bed side he hadn't moved not even to eat or go to the bathroom. Hershel and Dr. S. both gave their opinions about her chances of waking up but Daryl didn't want to think about the chances of her not waking up at all. Some of the others tried to reason with Daryl and get him to come out of her cell and go hunting but he would get angry and dangerously lash out at them, if Merle were there he would have said that Daryl was going native. After the two years of being with the group in the apocalypse and the couple months without Merle, Daryl was able to control his anger better than when he was first at the quarry. But now he was pulling away, away from the group and the prison.

Still nobody bothered to go near Daryl, they knew that he cared for her and knew he would overcome whatever he was feeling and come back to the group eventually.

Daryl sat in his chair and stared at Carol, he hated seeing her like this and he just wished he could hear her soft voice again and see her bright blue eyes staring into his.

"Daryl?" Beth called quietly from the door to Carol's cell.

"The fuck ya want?" He said already getting annoyed with her presence.

"I brought you some food…" Beth walked over and handed Daryl a small bowl of oatmeal but he pushed it back to her.

"Not hungry."

"Daryl. You have to eat. She would have wanted you to…" Daryl looked at Beth his eyes looked empty.

"How do you know what she wants?" The emptiness in Daryl's eyes got replaced with fire. His bomb was ticking he was ready to explode any second.

"She wouldn't want you to worry about her. She would want you to eat, and you know that. Carol cares about you and if she wakes up and sees you like this she's gunna be pissed." The fire in his eyes vanished at the mention of Carol's name Daryl reached over and took the bowl from Beth muttering. Beth reached over and touched Daryl's shoulder and he flinched away from her. "Daryl, she will be fine." Was all she said before exciting the cell once again leaving Daryl alone with Carol.

Daryl looked over to Carol and slowly took her hand in his, holding on tight afraid that if he let go then she would slip away from him.

Okay this is the first chapter! Please review :) i have no idea when i will post the other chapters so far i've written up to Ch3 and this is a longer chapter probably because it is the first :P hope you liked it.