A/N: Needed a bit of fluff...well...sorta...Thanks for reading! :)

Day 3:

Her eyes were closed, her body relaxed and warm sunlight came streaming in through the window under which she was lying. She didn't move and only listened. She could hear people calling out to each other, not yelling warnings, but simply exchanging greetings and once their voices had subsided she could even hear birds. Was it Spring? Summer? Her nose scrunched as she focused on trying to remember. But it was a long time since she had thought about such mundane matters, too long, apparently.

She knew that she was meant to feel at peace now or perhaps relieved and hopeful at least. But instead all these old, familiar sounds now sounded foreign and started to fill her with a sense of dread that left her restless.

Suddenly someone behind her let out an almighty snore and her eyes flew open while she bolted upright. But it was only Daryl who had seemed to have found some rest at last. Carol remained sitting and wondered if she had ever seen him like that. He was lying on his side and had curled up around her, his arm forming an arch over the spot her head had been resting on a moment ago.

Seeing him like this made her think of the man he had been when they had first met each other. Always under Merle's thumb he'd acted shy and almost clumsy around her but even then his gestures had never failed to affect her. Perhaps she did owe him the truth about the events at the grove although she knew that he was unlikely to push her about it once more.

Shifting onto her knees Carol reached out a hand. She knew that she was going to startle him and pull him out of the first good night's sleep he'd had in a while but she couldn't help herself, she needed to touch him. Her hand settled lightly and carefully on his hair and when he didn't move she gently brushed a couple of strands out of his face. Swallowing silently she then lowered her hand to cup his cheek, smiling when his beard tickled her skin. But within seconds the moment was broken when his hand jerked up and grabbed her by the throat. He was panting, his eyes darting around wildly until he realised that it was her he was almost choking.

"What the hell are you doin'?" he muttered, releasing her at once.

Carol felt her throat carefully, checking for any damage but there was none. She could feel herself trembling but only lightly and knew that it had been her own fault she'd been attacked.

"I was just looking at your hair," she answered with a small smile "it's getting very long. Perhaps you can have it cut here."

"Nah," he sat up as well, flexing his left hand as if to shake the adrenalin out of his fingers "not gonna let anyone here touch me."

"Might be useful though if you could see the walkers approach," she teased him gently, knowing that he was as prone now to hide behind his hair as he was to hide behind his crossbow.

But then her eyes caught the movement of his fingers and the smile died on her face. He had a cigarette burn and she knew for certain that he had inflicted it himself. But now wasn't a good time to ask him about it. He was already defensive and would likely deny things or shrug them off. So Carol forced the smile onto her face once more.

"I'll go and take a shower, okay? I still have some more clothes left at the other house."

"Okay," he nodded and let her stand up "sorry if I hurt you."

"You didn't," she smiled a little and then walked out of the room.


Everyone was awake when she entered the house. Some of the group had left already and the others were getting ready. She collected the fresh clothes from the same spot she had done the previous day and then made her way up to the bathroom. She resisted the urge to cover the mirror but made sure to keep her back to it the whole time.

While the warm water rushed over her body she rubbed her face, trying to sort through the thoughts that were invading her mind. She needed to talk to Daryl but she also knew that securing some weapons needed to take priority. It was time to take on the role she had created the previous day.

And emerging in a pair of simple slacks, a white blouse and a blue cardigan it wasn't that difficult to feel the part. She wasn't surprised to find Daryl back on the porch once more.

"Off to punch the clock and make the casseroles," she announced, tugging at the hem of her top.

"What?" he glanced up, displeasure written all over his face.

"To make dinner for the older people, moms who need a break…people who can't cook…" she trailed off and then added when his expression didn't change "Get to meet a lot of neighbours that way."

But he only snorted. "Alright…"

"Have you even taken a shower yet?" she asked, in an attempt to change the topic.

"Mmh…"

Her eyes narrowed. "Take a shower…I'm gonna wash that vest. We need to keep up appearances…even you."

"I ain't gonna start now," he shrugged and she shook her head, walking down the stairs.

"I'll hose you down in your sleep."

She'd barely made it past the house when he tilted his head and called after her: "You look ridiculous."

But somehow that statement only made her smile.