Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing of The Walking Dead or its characters.

Carl opens the gate as the group returns from their run. Carol runs out, hoping to see Daryl amongst the rest.

"Dammit, that place coulda' been a gold mine"

She recognized that voice anywhere. Daryl stepped into view and she ran over and gave him a hug.

"I'm so glad you're back." She said smiling.

"Told ya I would didn't I?"

"How did it go? Did you get some baby formula?"

"Yea, we got all the baby shit. Ran into 'bout a dozen walkers. Had to come back but we got what we came for."

"Are you guys ok?"

"Ya, it was Glenn and Maggie who had it bad. Me and Michonne only faced two. They got the herd." He said looking over to Glenn and Maggie who were hugging, glad they were alive.

"Maggie, Glenn, are you guys alright?" she called.

"Were good" Maggie said while Glenn put a thumbs up.

"Um, hey, I gotcha' somethin'. Reminded me of Sophia and you so I thought you'd like to have it. I ain't no jeweler but I thought it looked nice." He said, handing her the necklace.

She ran her fingers over the flower, thinking of her little girl and the nights that Daryl had comforted her. It was beautiful and she didn't know what to say. Tears started to well up in her eyes. Daryl stood there wondering if he made the wrong move, giving her jewelry. He had always gotten her something special on his runs. He'd gotten her scented soap, new clothes, new weapons, etc. Then he saw her crying. Shit.

"Why ya cryin' like that. Just a necklace."

"It's more than that Daryl. Thank you so much. For everything." She said hugging him and kissing his cheek.

She turned to walk away, but Daryl grabbed her wrist. He wanted to take this woman in his arms and make her his. But he knew he couldn't do that. After all, Carol is different. She deserved respect and to be taken care of.

"Ya welcome." He said leaning down, and their lips met, but only for an instant, Daryl pulled away, unsure of how this would work.

"Why did you stop?" Carol asked.

"I don't know if I can do this Carol. I ain't good at romantic shit. I ain't never been in one of those committed relationship things." He said running his fingers through his hair.

"Daryl, you were being romantic five minutes ago. I don't expect anything from you in a relationship. All I want is to wake up every morning alive with you. You're the reason I'm standing here right now. If you don't want a relationship, fine." She said walking away.

Shit. He had just screwed up badly with Carol. He needed to talk to somebody about this. But who? The only person he really trusted with his feelings was Carol. That's it. All he had to do was tell Carol how he felt about her. He ran to her cell, but found it empty. He went to find Rick to ask if he'd seen her anywhere.

"Hey man, ya seen Carol anywhere?"

"Yea, she took a vehicle and said she was going on a quick run to get her mind off things. Is something wrong?"

"You mean 'ta tell me ya let her go off on her own with no protection?" he said raising his voice.

"She said she was going just down the road to a small cottage to see if they had any supplies left. She's strong enough to handle things on her own now. She has a gun and a knife. She has protection."

"Man, ya don't know what tha fuck ya talkin' 'bout" he said getting on his motorcycle.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm goin' to get her." He said driving off.

Fuck. He didn't know how long ago she'd left or what direction she'd went in. His tracking skills were being put to the test now. He needed to find her. He wasn't going to lose her. He drove past a sign that said 'Greensville 2' maybe that's where she went. And he was only two miles from her. Then, he heard a scream. Shit.

"CAROL?!"

He heard the scream again; he grabbed his crossbow and ran towards the sound, seeing Carol on the ground, a walker only a few feet from her. He shot it and ran over to her.

"Carol? Ya ok? Ya bit? What happened?"

"I'm ok." She said panting. It seemed as if she had been running for a long time. He saw a cabin about a yard away and knew they had to stay there for the night. She needed rest.

"Can ya walk?"

"I don't know. I think I twisted my ankle." She said.

He touched her ankle and she winced in pain. Yup. Twisted.

"Fuck, ok I'm gonna have 'ta carry ya. Ya alright with that?"

"Just do whatever you have to do to get us somewhere safe."

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the cabin. She wasn't heavy; of course they haven't had anything nutritious since he tracked down that deer a few months back. Now, they just keep getting harder and harder to find. They made it to the cabin and he set her down slowly.

"Alright, I gotta check the inside. See if there's any walkers. If you see any out here, holler and I'll come runnin'." He said walking towards the door.

"Daryl?"

"Ya?"

"Thank you. And, I'm sorry."

"Ya don't need to apologize. I was an ass back there."

She just looked in his eyes, and he knew she thought otherwise. He opened the door of the cabin slowly, but didn't hear anything. He checked the kitchen, the bedroom, and the closets. A walker free home.

"Looks like whoever was here left before the shit hit the fan." He said to himself.

Finally, after everything was checked thoroughly, he brought Carol in. He laid her on the bed, elevating her ankle.

"It's the best I can do for now. I'll make a run into that city in the morning and get ya some pain meds if ya can wait that long?"

"I can. It doesn't hurt that bad anymore. I'm just tired. I felt like a track star out there." She said giggling.

"Why'd ya leave?"

"I thought I shouldn't burden you anymore." She said looking down.

"Ya left 'cause ya think you're a burden to me?"

"Well, yes."

He just started laughing. That's all he could do was laugh. This woman had no idea did she?

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"Just the fact that ya think you're a burden to me. Carol, ya ain't no burden to nobody. 'Specially me." he said grinning.

"Ed always thought I was a burden. He'd say it every day. After hearing it for so long, you think you're a burden to the world."

"Fuck Ed. He can rot in hell for all I care. I ain't never had no one care for me in my life 'cept Merle. He was never there though. He was either in juvie, jail, or was too high to even eat on his own. My dad was a drunk and my mom was dead. I had nobody."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not. Fuck all of them. The important thing is that were alive." He said grinning.

Oh what that smile did to her. She had strong feelings for this man but she didn't know when she could tell him how she felt.

"I guess I better let ya rest now. Good night." He said walking to the doorway.

"Good night Daryl." She said smiling as he left the room.

Ok I had a little trouble writing this chapter. I didn't know if I should make them confess their feelings now but I promise it will be in the next chapter, also there will be some smut. It'll be my first time writing that but hey, I have to try. Reviews are always appreciated and thank you to all my story followers so far, I love you guys ;*