Before even opening his eyes, he could tell he was in a bed again. The other night had been the first night he'd spent in a bed since... well, since before. It felt incredible. Eyes still closed, he could tell it was the same bed. It was the perfect firmness and it was huge. But he felt kind of bad about it, taking up space in such a big, comfortable bed. Other people deserved a bed more than he did. Someone like...

"Carol?" He opened his eyes to find her dozing in a chair pushed up against the bed. A candle burned in a hurricane glass on the nightstand, giving the room a faint golden glow.

"Huh?" she jumped. "Oh, I was just-just resting my eyes for a bit. Need anything?"

"No, I don't need nothin'." He heard a soft snoring sound and turned his head. Sophia was asleep on the other side of the bed.

"What the fuck Carol?" He tried to spring up, and pain shot through his body.

"Don't move!" Carol exclaimed, putting a hand on his chest. "You're gonna rip your stitches again. Hershel says I need to sit on you if I have to. Says he's tired of wasting medicine on you if you won't follow doctor's orders."

"Gotta move, dammit. It ain't right her being in here with me."

"I couldn't leave either one of you," Carol said. "It seemed like the easiest way. It's a king-size bed for heaven's sake. Besides, I gave her one of your pain killers for her face and headache. She's totally out. She won't bother you."

"Bother me? It ain't right. Not after what she's been through. Puttin' her in bed with a grown man. What the fuck you thinkin', Carol?"

"Like I said, it seemed like the easiest-wait, what are you talking about?"

"Her face. And all that blood... I just wish I'd found her before somebody-"

"Oh, Daryl," she got up from the chair and perched on the edge of the bed, laying her palm against his cheek. "Honey, she's fine. She already told me everything. She hit herself in the face prying the door open."

"But the blood. I know what I saw."

"Daryl, um," she smiled. "There's other reasons a girl might have blood on her pants."

"What?... Oh! Damn. Guess I'm a fuckin' moron."

"No. You're a hero."

"I ain't no fuckin' hero."

"You're my hero."

She leaned down uncertainly. Her eyes met his before her lashes fluttered shut and she covered his mouth with hers. He didn't mean to respond. Didn't want to, not like this anyway. But his hand found its way behind her head and pulled her in harder against his lips. Her hair felt soft and clean against his rough hand. She smelled good, like something old fashioned he hadn't smelled in a long time. Lavender? Lemon Verbena? He felt her lips part and his tongue flicked against hers. He heard a moan and honestly did not know if it had come from her or him. If he didn't stop now, he was going to be completely lost. He broke free from their kiss and pushed her away.

"Don't need no damn gratitude, Carol," he said gruffly.

"You think that was gratitude?" she asked breathlessly. "The other night when I kissed your cheek-that was gratitude. This had nothing to do with gratitude."

"Then what the fuck did you do it for?"

"Daryl Dixon-you ever look in a mirror?" she laughed.

"Damn, woman. I know I ain't no movie star, but you ain't gotta laugh at me."

She chuckled again. "You mean you don't know?"

"Know what?"

"Look at you-walking around with no sleeves, showing those arms. And that crossbow strapped to your back? Oh my! A woman would have to be crazy not to want you."

"Well, let me see... Lori always gives me a look like she just stepped in dog shit. I'm pretty sure the farmer's daughter is bangin' Glenn. And oh yeah-Andrea shot me in the fuckin' head. Guess they're all crazy, huh?"

"Yes, that sounds about right. Crazy. Every last one of them," she smiled.

"Well, I still don't think we oughta start-I mean... you're probably just happy about your daughter."

"Of course I'm happy about my daughter! But I also-"

"What?"

"Oh, wait." She covered her face with her hands, then quickly brought them down again, wringing them in her lap. She looked embarrassed.

"What is it?"

"If this is just your nice way of saying you think of me as a silly old woman..."

"Hell no! I don't think nothin' like that. That ain't what I think about you at all."

"So what do you think about me?"

"Carol, I-" he swallowed hard. "I think about you... often."

She smiled. "That sounds like a good start."

"Still don't get why you'd waste your time thinkin' about me," he said. "You don't know nothin' about me."

"So tell me something, Daryl. Something about you."

"What do you wanna know?"

"Anything. How old are you?"

He actually had to think about that one. It wasn't like anybody'd ever thrown him a freakin' party. "35. Am I allowed to ask a lady the same question?"

"I'm 38-and don't you dare look at me funny!" she snapped.

"I ain't lookin' at you funny. Why the hell would I do that?"

"I'm not lying. My hair started going gray in high school. Used to dye it 'til-'til Ed got the crazy notion I was trying to impress somebody. Like he'd ever let me be around anyone else to impress. But once he got something in his head, that was that. So he..."

"What did he do to you?"

"Held me down and shaved it all off... Didn't matter really. Besides, short hair is easier."

"Can't get caught on nothin'."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right," she smiled as tears pooled in her eyes.

"Hey." He reached up and ran his thumb across her cheek, catching a single tear. "He can't hurt you no more."

"I know."

"I don't think you do," he said, covering her hand with his. "Nobody's gonna hurt you no more. Livin' or dead. You got that?"

She nodded and yawned. "Sorry."

"You gotta be exhausted. You need some sleep."

"Oh I'm fine," she said, moving back toward the chair. "I'll just sit back over here and let you rest.

"No," he said, gently grabbing her wrist, and pulling her back down to the bed. "You ain't sleepin' in no chair." He held onto his bandaged side and carefully slid over. "You said yourself it's a king-size bed." He could see her hesitate.

"Come on now. Don't jump my bones kissin' me and then get all shy on me." Even in the dim candle glow, he could see her blushing. "I'm just kiddin'," he smiled, pulling the sheets back. She finally climbed under the covers, lying on her back next to him. "You know it's my other side that hurts, right? Might be nice if you put your head on my shoulder."

She turned toward him. "You're right. This is nice."

"Now don't go gettin' any ideas, woman. There's children present. We're just gonna sleep."

"I didn't know you were gonna be such a smartass."

"Damn. First time I heard you cuss. I'm already a bad influence."

"If you don't shut up and let me sleep," she said, snuggling into his chest, "I might get Andrea to shoot you in the other side of your head tomorrow."