Chapter 4... A Close call.

Daryl opened his eyes slowly it was dark, he looked around realizing where he was, his head was still pounding. He sighed and closed his eyes again, but suddenly sat up real fast. "Carol?" He said looking around. He threw his feet over the side of the bed, he froz when he hit something. He looked down, seeing Carol on the floor. "Damn woman..." He mumbled. As he got up she opened her eyes and looked up at him. He hadn't noticed she was awake when he picked her up.

"What are you doing?" She asked looking up at him.

"I'm not havin' ya sleep on the floor, you take the bed" he said putting her on the bed. She sat up and grabbed his arm. He turned and looked at her "What?" He asked.

"You're sick, you need to sleep on the bed..Please" She said in a pleading tone. Daryl stared at her for a minute and sighed.

"Move over.." He said as he started to get into the bed. Carol could feel her face warm up as he layed close to her.

"W-What are you doin'?" she asked watching him pull the covers over himself.

Daryl looked at her. "This way we both get our way." He mumbled then closed his eyes. She stared at him and put her hand on his forehead. His fever had gone down but it was still high. "Just because I am actin' different doesn't mean it's because of the fever..." He grumbled.

Carol pulled her hand away and layed back down still looking at him. "Daryl...why are you actin' different?" She asked. He didn't answer and she put her hand on his shoulder "Daryl, I asked you somethin'" She said

"Woman, go to bed. I have to be up to go huntin' in the morning." He grumbled

"You aren't goin' anywhere tomorrow" her tone was very stern.

He laughed "You're funny thinkin' ya can tell me what to do" He said smiling. This angered her and she sat up.

"I'm going to sleep in a tent." She said, she was halfway off the bed when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She gasped when she felt pressure on her arms and legs. Opening her eyes she saw him on top of her smiling at her.

"You aren't leavin' this rv, even if it means I have to stay on top of you all night long" He chuckled. Carol stared at him, she was happy it was dark and they couldn't see well, because he would be able to see her blushing.

"Okay I'll stay in the rv tonight"She said, and he got off her, and she poked his chest "Only if I can go huntin' with you tomorrow"

Daryl stared at her and sighed "Fine, don't get in my way." He said and pulled the covers back over himself as he layed down next to her. She nodded and got under the covers to closing her eyes.

Daryl woke up seeing Carols' sleeping face so close to his. He noticed his arm was around her shoulder. A small smile spread across his face, the woman looked so peaceful in her sleep, and deep down inside he wanted to keep this moment going forever, but sadly that wasn't going to happen, at least not today. He slowly got up and then shook her. "Rise 'n shine"

Carol waved him away and pulled the covers over herself, but Daryl pulled them right off "Woman you are the one that said ya wanted to go huntin' with me. If ya don't get up now then I will leave without ya" After he said this she shot up and put her hand on his forehead. It was still warm.

"How are you feelin'?" She asked.

"Better I guess" he said shrugging his shoulders. He turned and headed for the door of the rv. "Oh don't forget to bring a knife" he said and turned seeing her bare back, and her pulling down her pants. He didn't say anything but he quickly walked out. He sighed "Damn it..." he said realizing his pants had gotten tighter. He had to admit she had a nice body. He shook his head trying to get the thought out of his head.

Carol came out of the rv and looked around, the sun was just peeking out and she didn't see anyone up besides her and Daryl. She looked at him "Ready" She said. He nodded not really looking at her and he threw his crossbow over his shoulder and started walking, she followed not far behind. Carol turned back and looked at the camp, truthfully she was a little nervous about going in the woods, but she had to make sure he was fine.

They were in the woods and he turned and looked at her "You sure ya wanna come out here with me?" He asked. She just smiled and nodded. "Alright well you just stay close, don't wonder to far." He said

"Daryl, I know. I'm not a kid who needs to be told what to do."

"Sure as hell act like it." He said as he started walking deeper into the woods.

"I do not" She protested following him. He just laughed a little and shook his head. "What is so funny?" She asked.

He looked around "The way ya react to everythin'" he said and put his crossbow up. "It's pretty funny" He said pulling the trigger hitting a squirrel. He walked over to it and when he turned back to say something to Carol she wasn't where he had left her, he walked over to the spot and turned in a circle. "Carol I'm not playin' games.." He said. When she didn't answer he started to panic. He heard something behind him and turned and ran towards the sound. Carol jumped when she saw him and she noticed the scared expression he had. He grabbed her shoulders. "Woman what the hell were you thinkin?!" He yelled shaking her slightly.

Carol stared at him she wanted to yell at him, but she saw the fear in his eyes. "I said I had to pee" She said. "I'm sorry." He just stared at her for the longest time then let her go.

"Next time answer when I call you." He said, turning away and started walking, stopping to make sure she was following him.

She was a few feet behind him, thinking to herself as he walked off to grab another kill. She didn't even notice the smell until it was to late, she was knocked down. She snapped out of it seeing a walker now on top of her. It was a younger woman, she looked like she was in her early twenties, half of her face was bloody and her eye was missing. Carol was pushing her away her eyes started to water, she didn't even realize she was screaming for Daryl.

Daryl turned when he heard Carol screaming, he saw her with a walker on top of her. He quickly brought his bow up, but then a smell filled his nose and he whipped around seeing another walker a few feet away from him and he pulled the trigger hitting it in the head. The sound of Carol screaming his name filled his ears and he turned back around seeing she was still able to hold the walker off. His eyes grew wide as he saw another one in the distance walking towards the screaming woman and he started running towards her. Daryl reloaded and he noticed he was shaking as he pulled the trigger, he almost missed the walker that was on top of Carol. He took the arrow out of its head and reloaded once more this time he had a better aim and took the other walker down without any problems.

Carol covered her mouth holding back the loud sobs, she was shaking badly. Daryl got down beside her "Come on...we have to go back to camp." he said softly. Carol flung her arms around him and cried. He hesitated and put his arms around her "Shhhh, your okay now" he said softly. He threw his crossbow, and squirrels over his shoulder and picked her up. She buried her face into his chest, clinging to him. He walked back towards the direction of the camp. In thirty minutes they arrived at the camp, everyone stared at them as they got closer.

"What happened?" Lori asked.

"Walkers...almost got us both" Daryl replied, when he said this everyone could hear Carol choking back sobs. "I'm goin' to take her in the rv" Daryl said and walked in the rv. He laid her on the bed, but she refused to let him go. "Carol, I have to go." he said.

Carol shook her head "Please, stay" She mumbled. Daryl looked at the woman, he sighed and sat on the bed pulling her to her chest. Carol gripped his shirt "I don't ever want to go huntin' again" She sniffed and slightly laughed.

Daryl smiled slightly "Don't worry, I wont let ya" he said and looked down at her. Carol wiped her eyes and looked up at Daryl.

Carol hesitated then she leaned in close and kissed him on the cheek. Daryl felt his stomach drop when she did. "Thank you Daryl.." She said softly and smiled at him "For everything".

Daryl sighed and nodded "No problem, can't have you dying on me now" He said with a slight smile then stood up, her hand grabbed his. "Carol I will be back soon, I promise" She let him go and nodded. Watching him as he walked out of the rv.