This is so dumb, Carol thought, feeling extremely nervous. After people recognized Daryl earlier that day because of the article, the smart thing to do would have been to stay home. But no, instead she had decided it would be a good night to go out for a drink, at a bar, she had never been to before.

Carol hadn't actually been to a bar on her own since before she started dating Ned, though he'd been to his fair share. The one she had picked, that she was standing in front of, was known as the "cops bar." Ned, and many other locals, wouldn't set foot in the Pink Pony because the police often stopped there for a drink after work, given it was right across the street from the station.

There were lots of bars to choose from downtown, The Wild Trampoline, The Devil's Barn, Char's and Shiny Taps, but Carol decided the Pink Pony would be the safest bet for a single woman who had little experience with the bar scene. If she ran into any trouble, which was highly unlikely in that bar, there was very likely to be a cop around.

All she wanted to do was to go in, have a drink and maybe an appetizer and then head home. It was simply a way to exercise her freedom and start to feel what it was like to be single. She could do what she wanted whenever she wanted to. It was exciting, but it was also very scary. Now that she would have a source of income she wasn't as concerned about going out and spending a little.

Carol wasn't prepared for the place to be as busy as it was but she ignored the anxiety that filled her and stuck to her plan. She sat at a small bar table on a high stool with her back to most of the room. "What can I get you?" a young female server asked.

"Oh, um," Carol pondered for a moment. It had been so long since she'd had a drink she couldn't remember what she liked. "Can you surprise me? Something sweet, fruity maybe?"

The server smiled. "Of course, I'll bring you my favorite, you'll love it. Anything to eat?"

"Maybe a little later," Carol replied, changing her mind about the appetizer since her tummy was upset from nerves.

She only had time to take one sip before a pretty blonde woman approached her. "It's Carol right?" She asked. Carol nodded. The woman looked familiar, but she couldn't place her. "I'm Andrea. We're going to be on the show together." Okay, now it made sense. She had seen the woman at the auditions with another pretty blonde. "Would you like to join us?" Andrea asked. "Several of us ladies thought it might be fun to get to know each other, have a few drinks and celebrate our good luck." Carol looked over her shoulder and saw a table with a few women. "It's just my sister Amy, Jacqui, and Lori she's Rick's wife - rumor is he's gonna be the male lead of the show." Carol felt both nervous and excited. It was nice to be included, but she was so used to Ned hovering whenever she was around other people that it was never fun.

"Sure, I would love to join you," she replied, hopping down off her barstool and picking up her drink. "I'm not staying long, but it will be nice to meet everyone."

"Oh you have to stay for a bit, at least long enough to say hello to Rick and Shane too. They're going to stop by after their shift," Andrea explained. "Lori thinks they will be here by 10:30."

"Okay," Carol nodded. She was starting to relax already. Andrea was really nice. When she got to the table introductions were made and she took a seat beside Lori.

Carol was quiet for a while, as she just enjoyed listening to the chatter and laughter. But eventually they started asking her questions. "So, are you married? Boyfriend? Kids?" Lori asked her.

"Oh, no kids. And I was married, but I've been divorced for about a month now." Her heart was pounding for some reason and she wondered if she should say any more. They would find out soon enough about her abusive past. She decided against it. They were celebrating, no sense in dampening the mood. Carol sucked back the last sip of her drink and ordered another. She wasn't even sure what the drink was called but it was delicious. She ignored the way everything seemed a little sharper and the slight buzz swirling around inside her. She hadn't drank in so long it was expected. One more, she decided. After that she would switch to water.

Carol took a big swig of the fresh drink the waitress set in front of her. Damn it was delicious. The next thing she knew it was gone and Lori was ordering her another, with a third glass of wine for herself. There was a lot of giggling happening and Carol was pretty sure she had never laughed that much in her entire life. But she had no idea what was so funny. No idea at all. But she did know she really had to pee.

Silence. Absolute and utter silence. Daryl had truly thought he was going to enjoy the peace and relaxation of having Merle away, but he'd only been home for three hours and he was already feeling uncomfortable. It was utterly ridiculous.

He'd considered heading out into the woods but they were calling for rain and he wasn't in the mood to get soaked. It could go from not a drop of rain to torrential downpours in a matter of minutes. Besides, it was close to dark by that point anyway. By the time he got out there he would have to turn around and come back.

There wasn't a damn thing on television, especially since he didn't really care for TV in the first place. He actually considered turning on some porn and getting himself off sitting there on the couch but it seemed like such a Merle thing to do. He decided he would just stick to bed or the shower as usual.

Daryl tapped his fingers on the arm of the couch. How could a man be so bored that even masturbating wasn't interesting? Even if he was the type of guy to go out and find a one night stand - this certainly wasn't the time for anything so… scandalous. He rolled his eyes. This TV star shit was not his thing. It never was going to be his thing. Eyes on the prize, Daryl thought, picturing the house in the country he was going to build with his money.

He tapped a few more times and then jumped up. "Gotta get out of here," he muttered. Daryl jumped in his truck and headed for the bar him and Merle often went to for a few beer and to shoot pool. It was called The Devil's Barn and some nights it really lived up to its name. But during the week it wasn't too bad.

Daryl headed in, found a quiet spot at the bar, ordered a beer and prayed that no one would ask where Merle was. He got lucky and after two beer no one had said a word to him. With the article in the paper it was very surprising, but everyone was wrapped up in their own thing and no one had really noticed him. Yet.

Around 10 it started. And by 10:15 he was on the way out the door. People he'd known all his life were snapping pictures, asking for autographs - some were actually serious. He avoided answering questions about Merle but when people started to push he decided to hightail it out of there, making some excuse about an early morning the next day.

Daryl decided to wander down the street. He figured he'd get a little fresh air before he went home to bed. It still hadn't rained at all. Fucking weatherman, he thought. He walked a full 8 blocks to the other end of town. As he passed the police station the door open and two men came walking out.

"Hey," one of them called out. "You're Daryl, right?" Fuck, he really hoped to duck his head and keep going, but it was too late now.

"Yeah," he replied, trying to sound somewhat polite instead of his usual gruff and annoyed tone. He realized quickly that it was the two cops that had been cast with him on the show.

"I'm Rick and this is Shane," he said, extending a hand. Daryl shook it and then shook Shane's hand as well. "Listen, my wife and some of the other ladies on the cast are over at the Pink Pony. We're just about to join them for a drink. You should come too."

The Pink Pony? The cop bar? Was he high? "Nah, the Pink Pony ain't really my style…" Daryl started.

"Oh come on," Shane jumped in. "We're gonna be working together for at least a few months, maybe even a few years if the show is successful. Might as well get to know each other better."

"I don't know," Daryl sighed. He had never set foot in that bar in his life. If Merle went in there he was likely to get arrested within 15 minutes. They just steered clear of the cop's hangout. But Merle wasn't there. Maybe…

"Just come for one beer," Rick pressed. "It's on me."

Well, it certainly wasn't right to turn down a free drink, now was it? Daryl gave a nod. "Okay, I'll have one I guess." He was nervous before they even got inside the bar. Daryl wasn't a social guy, he was very much a loner. One quick beer and he was out.

"There they are," Shane said, spotting the ladies at a table in the back. Daryl looked towards the table and his heart skipped a beat. Sitting beside Rick's wife, smiling and laughing was Carol. He hadn't expected to see her again until they got called back into work. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

He realized as he got closer that the ladies were drunk. Every single one of them. "Some days it's good to be a bachelor," Shane teased Rick, knowing he would have his hands full later on.

"Ohhh look, it's Daryl," Carol gushed, slurring slightly, as he took the empty seat beside her. "Look, look at that pretty face," she said, patting his cheek. "He's gonna be the heartthrob of the show, just wait and see. The girls were already drooling over him this afternoon," she said to the other ladies.

Daryl blushed and he heard Shane and Rick snort. "Stahhhp," he drawled, giving Carol a look. He was a bit nervous as to what she might say next. He knew what drunk women could be like. But she seemed to sense he was uncomfortable and backed off, but not before giving him a private look that he couldn't really figure out.

The waitress arrived with his beer and Daryl busied himself with his drink, listening to the loud chatter. Despite being nervous in the group setting he quickly got the sense he was with a good bunch of people. Rick did a good job of including him in the conversation, without pressuring him. And Carol kept bumping his leg accidentally, but each time it was a reminder that she was right beside him and for some reason that was comforting.

He took a moment to consider what Merle would think about all of this. Daryl knew right away his brother wouldn't approve. He could hear his voice, 'these aren't our kind of people, don't fool yourself Bro. They don't give a shit about you like I do.' But on the other hand, he knew Merle wouldn't miss the opportunity to get drunk Andrea or Amy in his bed. Or Carol… His eyes snapped to her. Nah, she wasn't Merle's type. Her hair was too short. Her boobs were too small. And she was too close to his age. Merle liked them young. Besides, he wouldn't let that happen anyway.

He watched her laughing and felt the strangest urge to smile. He didn't smile very often, but somehow she was able to make that happen without even trying. Suddenly he felt her hand on his leg. It was innocent, but he froze. "Are you having fun?" she asked quietly, looking at him with those bright, stunning blue eyes. Daryl nodded. His voice seemed to have left him for the time being. Somewhere in those eyes was the sober Carol - reserved, sharp, lacking confidence at times - much like him in some respects. But drunk Carol was having a great time with drunk Lori, drunk Andrea, drunk Amy and drunk Jacqui.

The little moment reminded him that she was aware he was there even if she was mostly lost in conversation with the ladies. Rick and Shane moved closer so the three of them could talk. "We should probably make sure they all get home safely," Shane said. "I'll take Andrea and Amy."

"Jacqui lives a couple blocks from us," Rick said, indicating that he would make sure she gets home safe.

"Oh, uh, this is my 4th beer, but um, I can share a cab with Carol," Daryl stammered. He wasn't usually the type of guy who walks a girl home, mostly because he didn't spend a lot of time with girls, but the cops were including him in the safety plan and he really didn't have a choice. At least he got Carol who he sort of knew, as opposed to one of the others he'd barely spoke to.

The waitress came back to see if they wanted another drink. "Hell yeah, give me another," Carol answered quickly. She was echoed quickly by the other ladies.

"I think it's time to go," Rick interrupted.

"What? Noooooooo. Come on. One more. Please?" There was a chorus of whining from the women.

"I think y'all have had plenty," Shane tried to help.

Carol was pouting. It was kind of cute. Daryl leaned over. "We're gonna share a cab. I'll make sure you get home safe."

She gave him a huge smile and he felt a bit fluttery inside. "Well who knew?" she drawled. "I really didn't take you for the chivalrous type Mr. Dix - on." She smirked as she elongated the 'Dix' part and he felt his cheeks burn. She's drunk, he reminded himself. Really, really drunk. "It's kinda romantic," she added, biting her lip. Daryl was pretty sure this woman had no fucking clue how sexy she was.

He needed to get her home and get himself home ASAP. "Let's go," he said, standing up and offering her a hand. There was a little step down out of the booth and she completely missed it. Daryl lunged and caught her just in time.

He was holding her against his chest and Carol looked up at him. She blinked innocently and smiled. "Whoopsie." She reached for his arms to help herself stand up. "Ohhhh wow," she squeezed his biceps a couple of times and looked at him, biting her lip again. Fuck, she needs to stop doing that, he thought. Daryl blushed again. The way she was looking at him was very confusing and it made him feel squirmy. Drunk, she's drunk. Probably won't remember a lick of this tomorrow.

He had to help her outside because Carol could barely walk. "What the hell were you drinking tonight?" he asked her.

"Oh they were so yummy… I think Lori said they were, ummm tornados? No, typhoons? No wait…"

"Hurricanes?" Daryl offered. That would make perfect sense. Hurricanes were known for being rather potent. A lot of sugar. A lot of rum, vodka, and several other kinds of liquor.

"Yessssss," she said excitedly. "High five." Carol held up her hand and he quickly slapped it. "I knew it was some kind of natural disaster."

Daryl shook his head. "You are gonna be one sick puppy tomorrow."

Carol let go of his arm and spun around in a circle. "I feel amazinggggggggggg." Daryl grabbed her before she fell on her face. She leaned on him again as they waited for the cab Rick called for them. Carol yawned. "Actually, I feel kinda tired."

She yawned 3 more times before the cab showed up and Daryl somehow wrangled her into it. Carol was leaning on him when he finally got the door shut. "Where we going?" the cabby asked.

"Oh, uh, what's your address?" he asked Carol. She didn't respond. "Carol?" He looked over and realized she had passed out, her head on his shoulder. Fuck. Now what? Daryl thought. He tried to shake her but she was out cold. Daryl sighed and gave the driver his address. Apparently he wasn't spending the night alone after all.