Running. Always running. Running from the past or from the people—or undead—chasing them, they didn't know. All Daryl knew is that for these past few harsh months on the road, close to starvation, lack of sleep, and lack of hygiene, he was getting ready to kill Shane. The prick did nothing to help except making rash calls and openly favor Lori and Carl in front of Rick. Glen and Maggie were okay, although it was bothersome whenever they would sneak off alone the first moment they got together and forget about the group. Herschel and Beth were alright too, helpful when need be, and Beth was all gung-ho about Lori's baby coming into the world. It was a miracle that Rick and Shane were still living in the same room together, if anybody had knocked up Daryl's woman and then go from lying to boasting about it, to claiming that he couldn't take care of his own, well, there would be nothing left of the man even as a walker. Daryl was an observer, he noticed the way Rick carefully watched Shane whenever Shane got too close to Lori, or how Rick would flinch at the slightest touch between the two, or when Shane would offer Lori his own food before Rick had a chance to. However, Daryl also noticed that Lori seemed to have silently sided with Rick since the farm, and therefore chose Rick over Shane, causing Shane to become even more paranoid than ever. After the whole Randal thing, Daryl overheard Rick and Shane talking about what happened that night when they thought everyone was asleep, and how it would change their relationship forever. Apparently Shane had chickened out and confessed to Rick what he did but that in the end, he couldn't end his life until he knew his child would be safe in the world and that the woman he loved would always be taken care of. Though Daryl didn't see the sense in this, Rick somehow found it logical and let Shane live.
T-Dog was good company too, although he was beginning to notice the way that T was looking at Carol, causing Daryl to unconsciously be in every room with them when they were together. Carol. Since failing to find Sophia, Daryl has dreamt of Carol about every night, any other night would be nightmares from his childhood or about Merle. Daryl loved to simply watch Carol; she was soft and delicate, but she had this certain edge to her, she was becoming strong. A survivor. But for some reason, whenever another member of the group would make Carol laugh, an odd feeling came up. Jealously? Daryl didn't exactly know because he's never had anything to be jealous over so he couldn't compare. But as the months drew on, Daryl didn't believe that his relationship with Carol could get any stronger. They were best friends in every sense of the world and it soon hit Daryl like a ton of bricks that he would do anything to ensure Carol's safety and happiness and as bad as it may sound, he would choose her above anyone. Daryl soon became the not-so-silent protector around Carol, simply enjoying being in her company and listening to her past or anything that she had to say really, he also made sure that nothing would bother Carol in any negative way at all. And now, as much as Daryl hates to admit it, he is beginning to notice the way that Shane is looking at Carol. Maybe it's because Daryl is beginning to see her in a new light and the other men are beginning to notice her too, but he soon realized that he hated the way that Shane would look at Carol. As if he were a panther, sizing up his prey, or checking out a mate he wants to impress. It seems that Shane got the hint that Lori chose Rick over him because even though he's providing for his kin, he was beginning to look at Carol like he wanted her. Daryl soon realized that he hated Shane. And after he and Rick got back, telling everyone about the prison, nobody could have missed Shane's loud statement to Carol, causing Daryl's blood begin to boil.
"Sounds like fun, right Carol? Stick with me, I'll make sure you don't have to get dirty. I'll keep you safe," Shane stated after playfully placing his hands on her side. After watching this, Daryl realized that it was easier to keep your distance from Shane because they were always on the road and if the weather wasn't too bad he made sure Carol rode with him, but the way that he held onto Carol's side, for however brief it was, and after declaring that out of everyone, he could keep her safe; Daryl realized that being in a small prison trapped with Shane may actually cause Shane his death.
Before Daryl knew where his legs were taking him, he was getting closer to Carol and even closer to Shane. With his puffed out chest, Daryl brushed by Shane and although he was glaring directly at Shane, he was speaking to both Shane and Carol.
"Like how you kept Otis safe? Nah, Carol stay with me. Come on, we better get moving while we still have light." If looks could kill, both Shane and Daryl would have been dead with the way they were looking at each other. Before either could say anything else, Lori intervened.
"Alright boys, we had our break now it's time to go," Lori said softly while placing a hand on Shane's chest and glancing at the people already packing the cars getting ready to leave, and to Rick who was looking on from by the driver's side of the door. After glancing at both Lori and Carol, Shane gave one last glare to Daryl and then started for his truck he usually shared with T-Dog at the back of the pack. Carol started for the truck with Rick, Lori and Carl until she was stopped with Daryl's hand closing around her wrist, his thumb lightly rubbing her pulse.
"Ride with me," Daryl asked. Carol loved this man, from the moment he began to look for her daughter and look out for her; she knew that she could find no better human being. His steel blue eyes had a hopeful look as he looked her over and there was something else hidden there, desperate almost?
"Always Daryl," Carol simply replied back with a smile, causing Daryl to give her a half smirk of his own and a nod of his head. As gently as he grabbed her wrist, he let go, now headed towards the bike. No other words needed to be said between the two, Daryl had Carol on the back of his bike and they were headed off to a new danger, although they were all desperately praying that the prison would act as a home for at least a while.