Chapter 2

Carol was cradling Judith, trying to coax her into sleep, trying not to see the words "Lil' Ass Kicker" scribbled on her makeshift bed. They reminded her too much of Daryl.

He'd been gone for two whole days now. She still expected to see him everywhere she turned, his mocking smile, messy hair, ready to utter a wise-crack. He'd been her rock since Sophia's disappearance and his absence caused an immense void in her life, her mind, her heart.

She knew why he'd done what he had, but still a part of her felt a little hurt. It was selfish of her to think that way, but she couldn't help it. She knew that abusers got into your head and that leaving them behind wasn't an easy thing to do. Ed had died almost a year prior, and during that time she had changed a lot. She knew how bad he'd been for her. But still, to this day, she wasn't sure she'd be able to send him to hell if he came back. Sad, but true. And she knew it was the same for Daryl when it came to Merle. Realizing he deserved more that the grief his brother gave him was something he'd have to do for himself.

Still, she'd have hoped that he would have chosen her over Merle. She sighed. Why would he, in fact? Her feelings for him ran much deeper than friendship, but what about him? How did he feel about her? Responsible, perhaps?

She would never know.

She blinked back tears.

Eager to stop thinking about him, she wandered to her cell, still holding Judith. But it was no use. There, on her bed, her eyes fell on his poncho. She had washed and folded the rest of his clothes neatly in case he should ever return, but that piece of fabric she just couldn't do the same with. Instead, she had kept it on her bed. His scent still lingered on it and she has spent the last two nights wrapped in it for comfort.

It had been of little use.

She missed him terribly.

"Carol!" Beth shouted as she suddenly came running into cell block C.

Carol raised her head, immediately alarmed. She held a dozing Judith a little tighter and exited her cell.

"I'm here! What's going on?" she asked, ready to spring into action.

But Beth smiled reassuringly as she came closer.

"Daryl. He's back!" she announced, a big grin on her face.

Carol's heart was pounding. Daryl was back? Had she heard correctly?

"Where?" she managed to ask.

"Outside. He's talking with Rick."

Carol put a hand over her mouth, emotions swirling inside her.

"Oh, my God, is he alright?"

Beth nodded and took the baby from Carol.

"Yes. He's with Merle."

"Merle? I thought Rick… never mind. I don't care."

Beth smiled knowingly. Like the rest of the group, she knew how close she and Daryl had gotten, but Carol didn't mind. She was done being afraid of what other people though of her, done hiding her true feelings.

"Go, I'll watch her."

Carol nodded, a little dazed. Daryl was back.

Back.

"Thank you," she said to the young woman with a smile, before hurrying towards the exit of the cell block.

She didn't have to go very far. Before she could get outside, the door opened and there he was, standing in front of her. Carol's heart did a somersault. Daryl. Her hero, her Prince Charming, her Lancelot. Even in the dim light, she could see the uncertainty in his eyes as he looked at her silently.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

At first she thought about playing it cool, but something had changed in her these past days. They had almost lost each other many times before.

But this had been different. Knowing that he was out there, alive, unaware how she felt about him… It was unbearable.

Stifling a sob, Carol closed the distance between them. She couldn't resist and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him with all her might. For the longest second, he didn't move. But Carol knew he wasn't used to this kind of display of affection. So she rested her head on his shoulder and waited, breathing him in, still having a hard time believing he was actually there.