Daryl anticipated some difficulty getting out of the sewer but it was as simple as climbing up a ladder & pushing up. They both sat down to rest in the mid morning light. Daryl opened his bag and handed Carol a granola bar.
"We share it," Carol said.
"Nah, I don't even want it," Daryl smiled at her.
She smiled back, "You're just happy to be alive?"
"I'm happy for many reasons," Daryl replied, realizing that it had been so long since he'd thought he could even be happy.
"So, maybe falling into that hole wasn't 100 percent bad?" Carol asked.
"There was parts I liked," Daryl answered.
"Oh yeah, do tell?"
Daryl chuckled, "I liked laying next to ya... I liked kissin' ya. I liked that quite a lot."
Carol blushed and turned away. He reached over and took her hand reassuringly. Death looming over their heads had been an intoxicant lowering their inhibitions, but now they were shy. They sat in silence while Carol at the granola bar.
"Carol," Daryl said loving the sweet sound of her name on his tongue. She looked at him with her big blue eyes, "I'm happy we're alive, and I love ya."
"I love you, too," Carol said. Her face betrayed many emotions.
"Ya told me before, but I didn't tell ya back. Not because I didn't feel it, or think it. I just haven't told anyone that before," Daryl admitted, "I've known I'm in love with ya for a long time."
"Why didn't you tell me," Carol asked.
Daryl shrugged, "Didn't know if you loved me back." He didn't think she loved him back would have been closer to the truth.
Carol felt like they'd probably wasted a lot of time being scared, and being foolish. She couldn't pinpoint the moment she had fallen for him. Was it when he'd almost died searching for Sophia? Was it when she wrapped his arms around his waste on the motorcycle that first time? Was it wandering from place to place before they got to the prison? She didn't remember. It felt like it had always been there, and she had been afraid to act on it as well. It was so stupid.
"We better get home," Daryl said, thinking about how much he wanted to get her home, and all of the things he would do to her when he got her there, and all of the things she might do to him. It was making him a little light headed to think about it. He realized he was staring at Carol, and looked down.
Carol noticed Daryl looking at her in the way he sometimes could burn through her with his eyes, and when she would catch his eye, it wasn't possible to look away. It almost hurt to hold his gaze, but thankfully he looked away. The grass was damp beneath them but neither seemed to mind. The clouds were rolling away and the sun was bristling overhead. It was almost peaceful.
"Maybe we should just live out here," Carol said, offering Daryl the last bite of the granola bar.
Daryl shook his head at the offer, and said, "You'd miss everyone. Yer a people person." He picked up a stick and started digging with it absently in the ground.
"You'd miss people, too," Carol said, "And I know I'd do perfectly well on my own if I had to."
"I'd miss certain people, sure," Daryl said, "But I don't need them. You need people, and you wouldn't do well on yer own because of it. I know you. Anyways, not like we're gonna live in the woods."
Carol pondered this thought. She liked to think of herself as an independent woman who would be able to get along easily on her own – someone who didn't need anyone. She had been building up walls for a long time, making an impenetrable fortress – but there had always been a door for Daryl, hadn't there? She stood up and reached her hand down to him, and pulled him up.
"How's your ankle? I can carry ya - for awhile at least - if you need me to." Daryl offered, "Think my bow weighs more than you do."
Carol laughed, " You are a funny guy. I think I'm going to have to manage this one, if we don't push too hard."
Daryl nodded, "We'll go slow."
"Rick must be worried about us," Carol mused, "I was surprised he didn't come with us."
Daryl frowned but didn't comment.
They headed out the way they came, cautiously making their way back to the meet-up point. They had wandered quite far out over some rough terrain until the sun was high in the sky. They were both starting to feel weary after awhile, "I think this was easier on the way out," Carol admitted, "Can we stop?"
"Anything for you, sweetheart," Daryl said, grinning at using the pet name.
Carol's face lit up, "How long have you been waiting to use that?"
Daryl blushed, "Been thinkin' bout it while we walked. Honey is too plain, and darlin' is too sad country song, so it came down between sweetheart and baby."
"Wow, you gave that a lot of thought," she gave him a peck on his scruffy cheek.
He grabbed her waist before she could get away, and pulled her close, "I always have lots of thoughts." He leaned in close brushing his cheek against hers.
"Do you like it?" he whispered in her ear.
Daryl's gentle whispering gave her goosebumps, an aphrodisiac Carol didn't know existed until that moment. She giggled, burying her face in his neck, unable to look at him as her face grew red.
"Yes," She said, wiggling out of his embrace.
He frowned at her, and she gave him a coy smile in return.
"What's wrong?" he said.
"Nothing, the day is just getting rather hot, don't you think?" Carol pursed her lips.
Daryl shrugged, "there's a stream up that way. We can refill our bottles and rest. Can you make it another 10 minutes or so?"
Carol rolled her eyes, and sighed and a few minutes later they were resting on a giant rock overlooking a stream. Daryl filled the empty water bottles and handed one to Carol. They drank until satiated and then Daryl filled them up again. Carol laid back on the rock.
"In another life, this would have been a good spot to come to lay out to get a tan," Carol said.
"Can't say I've ever done that before."
"Or maybe a make out point. Make out rock," she laughed.
"That sounds more interestin',"Daryl said, laughing with her.
The clouds meandered across the bright blue sky. There was a gentle breeze blowing, and the sound of the water trickling. The night had been so brutal and long. Sleep had been a fitful thing and Daryl felt himself getting tired.
The next thing he was aware Carol was shaking him awake. He was disoriented but instantly alert. He jumped up and pulled out his knife. He looked at Carol and she held a finger to his lips, and pointed. Just outside of the clearing there was a rustling in the trees and Daryl saw a black bear.
Inwardly cursing himself for falling asleep, Daryl bent down slowly and picked up his bow, knowing what he would have to do if the bear came toward them. He stepped in front of Carol, moving very slowly. The bear hadn't taken notice of them, and Daryl was hopeful that he would just move on. He didn't want a bear as an adversary – much quicker and more dangerous than a walker.
The bear wandered out into the clearing, and stood up on its front paws. The thing was so huge, and Carol gasped quietly behind him. Daryl raised his bow, knowing that he needed all of his concentration. The bear was almost too far away for a good shot, but he knew it could span the distance in a matter of seconds. It would be difficult to aim if the thing charged them so he shot before it came to that. He hit the bear in the neck.
The bear was angry and hurt and began running back and forth, but was too distracted by the pain to notice Daryl closing in, when he was close enough for a clear shot he got it in the head and the bear fell down dead.
Carol ran up to Daryl and hugged him. He reached an arm around her, still keeping an eye on the bear. His adrenaline was still going full force. He looked at down at her, "I'm sorry I fell asleep, I can't believe I was so careless."
"I kept watch," Carol said, "You deserved to rest, but I just thought bears might be more your expertise."
Daryl softened and kissed her forehead, "Never gone up against a bear before, but I know some things. You gotta if you spend anytime in the woods. At least we got dinner,"
