Thinking back to the accident there were short periods of time that Carol could not remember at all, but mixed in were bursts of memories so vivid it was like watching a movie. She realized later she had being going in and out of consciousness. The one constant thing that was part of every memory was him. Daryl was there every time Carol opened her eyes.

It all started when Daryl convinced her to take a small role in a commercial he was filming for Dexter's, the store where she worked. It was still a bit amusing to her that Daryl was a model, though he hated being called that. In fact, he hated almost everything about his job other than getting the first crack at their newest hunting gear and the fat paycheck. He happened to walk into the store at the right time on the right day and within a few weeks he became the face of the franchise. They were scouting for an "authentic, real person" to represent the American good ol' southern boy. So when Daryl walked in that day with his crossbow strapped to his back like it was perfectly normal to go shopping wearing your weapon, his handsome youthful face and a shy charm that he still didn't even know he possessed - that was it. They wanted him and they wouldn't take no for an answer.

Because he refused, initially, to leave the area they shot a lot out of the store where Carol worked and the nearby woods. Over time they got to know each other. For some reason he seemed to enjoy talking to her and would even bring her coffee every time he showed up there, for work or to make a purchase.

Carol still had no idea what had possessed her to agree to be in the commercial. It was an intense, insane concept with so much going on. And quite honestly the whole idea was a bit stupid in her opinion. She really didn't see the connection to Dexter's and hunting other than sexy Daryl and his trusty crossbow. Carol was just an extra, but it was a feature role so she actually had a stunt double for many of the scenes but there was one shot where Daryl was driving a car shooting out one side and she was hanging out the other side also shooting at some enemy that would be added later. She honestly didn't know what kind of animal they were going to be shooting at and why the hell they were chasing after it in a car was beyond the scope of her imagination.

He was supposed to take off slow and she would slide into the seat as the car started to move. But when the car jolted forward it was faster than she was expecting and Carol lost her balance. And her grip on the door. She could remember falling and hitting her head on something. The pain was intense, like nothing she had experienced before. She felt herself land hard on the ground knocking the wind out of her lungs. And then it was only blackness.

The next time she woke up Carol remembered throwing up. She also remembered seeing Daryl and feeling embarrassed that he was watching her vomit. But he didn't seem to mind. He was rubbing her back gently, soothing her with words she couldn't make out.

Carol heard herself moaning from the pain. It hurt. A lot. She tried really hard to be tough but eventually her body just protected her by blacking out again.

She woke in the ambulance. It was bright, too bright. Daryl was looking at her with a reassuring smile, but there was fear in his eyes. The paramedic spoke but Carol couldn't answer, she just stared into Daryl's eyes, feeling comfort even through the fear.

She woke once more during the ride to him gripping her hand tightly. The next time her eyes opened she was lying in bed in the hospital hooked up to machines, an IV in her hand, wearing a not-so-flattering hospital gown. Daryl was pacing and hadn't noticed her wake up. "Hey," she said hoarsely.

He spun and his face lit up, "you're awake." He moved to her side immediately. He grabbed the call button on the bed and pressed it. "They said to call the minute you woke up." While they were waiting Daryl leaned in and kissed her forehead. "That's from your mom," he said. It seemed a little too sweet and romantic to be from him, but how in the world could it be from her mom? She lived hours away, in another state.

"My mom? How?" Carol looked at him, confused.

Daryl pulled her cell out of his pocket. "The press heard and was crawling around. It's gonna be on the news. I thought your parents should hear about it from someone, not see it on TV."

Carol was touched that he would do that for her, but a bit annoyed and embarrassed that she was going to be on the news - entirely because of who she was with when the accident happened - Daryl had quickly become a national celebrity, recognized everywhere from the billboards, magazine ads and TV commercials, but he was most popular in Georgia where everyone liked to pretend they'd known him before.

Carol knew Daryl was a thoughtful and considerate kind of guy, but it meant a lot that he would think to do something like that amidst all the chaos. "I told them I would call again as soon as I knew any more. Or you would call when you woke."

The nurse and doctor walked in before she had a chance. "You're a lucky lady," the doctor said, with a smile.

Carol groaned, "I don't feel so lucky right now."

"Well if you hit your head an inch forward you may not be here right now," he said gravely. The nurse was checking her blood pressure while they talked. "I want to do a cat scan just to be sure there's no bleeding. And if it's clear we may still keep you a few more hours just to be safe." Carol nodded, causing a little wave of nausea. "But if you go home you can't stay alone..."

"I'll be with her," Daryl interrupted. Carol shot him a look. "I won't leave her side." She continued to stare at him, puzzled at his insistence.

"Ok," the doctor nodded. "Hang tight, someone will come get you soon for the test."

He left and the nurse finished up. "How's the pain?" she asked.

"Okay right now," Carol said. When the nurse left she looked at Daryl again. "You don't have to stay with me. I can call a friend."

"I'm a friend," he replied. "Besides, it's my fault you're here. It's the least I can do." He pulled up a chair and sat down, picking up her hand. "I'm so sorry."

"It was an accident," she said, squeezing his hand. "It's not your fault." It wasn't until then she realized he was still in costume from the shoot. Carol smiled, "So how many people have asked for a selfie so far?"

Daryl chuckled, "too many. The press is swarming. It's crazy out there." He grinned, "I've had at least 3 nurses trying to check out this black eye." Daryl's character had a black eye in the commercial (again, Carol wasn't sure the point of it all) and the makeup people made it look incredibly realistic. He handed Carol her phone. "Don't want your mama mad at me." He stood, "I'll give you a minute."

Carol called her parents who were obviously very relieved to hear her voice. When she hung up another nurse came in to check on her. "You must be feeling better," she said brightly. "This is the first I have seen him leave your side since they brought you in." Carol would have guessed the nurse was around her age. "Lucky lady," she said with a wink, going about her business.

Carol wondered why everyone kept telling her how lucky she was when her head was splitting and she felt like she was gonna puke every time she tried to move. But she knew the nurse was referring specifically to the sexy man that had been apparently keeping vigil at her bedside. Carol was flattered but she knew it was his guilt keeping him close.

The nurse had left by the time Daryl returned. "I called Glenn. He's sending someone with our clothes." Glenn was a co-worker at the store who was a mutual friend. Carol looked nervous and he picked up on it right away. "It's okay, I have your costume. There's no damage. I'll send it back with mine when they come."

"You're being very responsible," Carol teased him. She was thankful for everything he was doing, but Daryl had never really had much responsibility for anyone other than himself, he could be reckless and wild and was certainly not always Mr. Maturity.

"I got my moments," he replied, as two men came in.

They took her for the CAT scan. Daryl had protested that he wanted to go with them, but they had somehow talked him into waiting in the room. The test was quick and she was back to her room in no time. Carol had to fight hard to not throw up when they moved her. Someone must have mentioned it to the nurses because they came in and put Dramamine in her IV the minute she returned.

While they were waiting for test results an intern from the filming crew showed up and Daryl left to change his clothes. When he came back he had done a pretty good job at scrubbing off the make up as well. He gave the intern both their costumes and she left. Daryl pulled out his phone. "Everyone's been asking about you," he said.

Carol sighed. "Tell them all I'm fine and I'll be back soon." Daryl eyed her then sent a text

message. "Who was it?" she asked curiously.

"Group text," he replied. "It would have taken me an hour to reply to them all individually. I think Rick has texted me 15 times alone. Maggie, Michonne, Abe, Eugene, Rosita..." he paused to think. "Oh Tara of course, and Tyreese… Sasha and several from Bob, I think he's got a thing for you," Daryl grinned. "I don't think Beth knows yet since she's been off the last couple weeks, but I'm sure she'll be texting you as soon as word gets out." Carol was embarrassed for making everyone worry, but incredibly thankful and flattered that her work family cared so much.

She was feeling a lot better by the time the doctor came back in. "Well the tests look good. I'm pretty confident that we can let you go," he said. Carol was relieved. She really just wanted to go home to her own bed and rest. "You have a slight concussion though and we're going to need to be very careful for the next 24 hours." He turned to Daryl. "I need you to wake her every 2-3 hours if she's been sleeping constantly. If you can't wake her call an ambulance immediately. Also bring her back if her headache gets worse, she starts vomiting again, or she becomes very confused or unable to focus." He turned back to Carol. "We're not completely out of the woods yet. So I need you to get lots of rest for the next few days. And no strenuous activity for 2 weeks. I'd like you to see your GP for a follow up after 2 weeks and they can decide then if you're okay to start back to work."

"What?" Carol said. "Two weeks? I can't take two weeks off. I already made this month's schedule…"

"Stop," Daryl interrupted. "Rick, Glenn, Michonne… the others, they'll figure something out." The two men shared a look that annoyed her, but Carol understood. Daryl nodded to the doctor as if to say he'd take care of it and Carol glared at him.

"Okay, a nurse will be in to take out your IV and get you ready to go," the doctor said, before leaving.

She was still glaring when Daryl looked at her. "Would you quit being so damn stubborn and just relax?" Carol took a deep breath, she knew he was right. "We'll figure it out once you're feeling better. But for right now, let's just get you home and get some rest, 'kay?" She softened and nodded in agreement.

"How exactly are we getting home?" Carol asked.

"Your car has been delivered. But I'll be driving," Daryl replied. Carol knew people would recognize Daryl's truck easily so she was glad he didn't plan on taking her home in it. "Abe and Tyreese brought it here once they closed the store. They wanted to come in, but it was still too crazy. We're going to sneak you out the back and try to avoid the reporters and fans." Your fans, Carol thought. Ah well, she was starting to get used to the swarming mobs that seemed to follow Daryl around these days.

Two nurses came in and helped Carol get ready while Daryl was waiting in the hallway. Once she was in a wheelchair they headed out of the hospital. She was tired, but she hated hospitals and it felt good to get outside. They somehow managed to get away without being seen. Carol thanked God for small miracles.

When they arrived at her condo it was fairly late. The clock in her car said 11:55pm. She had spent the better part of the day at the hospital. Carol got out of the car and tried to walk but she was really dizzy and weak and needed to sit down before they even got through the lobby. "Here," Daryl said, lifting her off her feet. "I'll carry you." She was too tired to argue and she let him carry her all the way to her place and right into her bedroom. He set her down gently on her comfy king mattress. Daryl pulled off her shoes and fussed around with her pillows and blankets, making sure she was comfortable. When she assured him she was fine Daryl kicked off his shoes and jumped in on the other side of the bed.

Carol eyed him, "what are you doing?"

"Promised the doctor I wouldn't leave your side," he said, so matter of factly that he left her no argument at all. He started to get up, "I can sleep on the floor if you'd prefer."

"No," she sighed, stopping him. "It's fine." She yawned. "Bear's not going to be impressed," Carol said, knowing her dog would be looking for his spot before too long.

"I can share," Daryl replied. "Now sleep, you're exhausted. I'll set my phone alarm to wake us in a couple hours."

Carol fell asleep instantly. Something caused her to stir a while later. She opened her eyes, expecting to see Bear, but it was Daryl who had worked his way over to her side of the bed in his sleep. He was breathing heavy, in a deep sleep, totally hogging the mattress. Carol wanted to nudge him or kick him, in hopes he'd move away, but instead she found herself snuggling in closer to his warmth, pressing her body against his and falling back to sleep before she thought any more about it.