Search and Rescue
I own nothing! Everything belongs to Robert Kirkman and AMC.
Just a warning I know the punctuation is a little off. I've had to live with open office and let me tell you it SUCKS!
I speak like a Dixon therefore I write like one. There will be swearing. Also for sack of arguments, merle is 35, daryl is 29, carol is 32 and beth is 20.
Daryl walked over to carol's door, feeling even more nervous now. Earlier it had been butterflies in his stomach. Now those butterflies had evolved into tap dancing elephants, Thanks to Merle. As he raised his hand to knock, the door flew open.
"Hi Daryl! I watched for you! Come on, dinner's almost ready. It's fried chicken with mash potato and salad and chocolate cake!"
Daryl was pulled inside by the rambunctious 5 year old. As he chuckled at Sophia, he saw carol come in the room.
"Sophia calm down. Go set the table please."
Sophia scampered off, leaving Daryl and carol staring at each other. Daryl was the first to speak, holding out the 6 pack.
"Didn't know what ya liked, figured I'd get it wrong any ways."
Carol smiled at him and took the beer. "This is my favorite beer!"
Daryl smirked as she led him thru the apartment into the kitchen, where Sophia had just finished setting the table.
Carol handed him a beer after popping the lid. She turned to open her own beer, but was distracted by Daryl drinking his own. Daryl caught her looking, and Carol quickly turned her head away, blushing. Seemed like Sophia may be a little bit right, maybe she was attracted to Daryl.
D/C D/C D/C D/C D/C
Sophia had been more then right. All through out dinner,the three of them had laughed and told about themselves. Carol told Daryl how she was a librarian. Daryl told her about hunting and his search and rescue days. Sophia told both of them about how good a dog manny was. At the end of dinner, Sophia sat on the floor to play with her toys, while Daryl and carol each nursed their beers.
Carol was surprised at Daryl. He was a much deeper man then she thought; he was a fan of hockey, had hunted around the world, he listened to her every word, he made her feel special. Daryl was learning a lot about Carol; he had never thought about the life of a single mother, but she was strong. Daryl could see a few scars on her, the still healing black eye. This woman was strong, and Daryl was definitely attracted to her.
As Sophia started to nod off, Carol excused the two of them to put her to bed. As she stepped out of the room, Daryl looked around the apartment for the first time. It was sparely furnished, as if they had no real personal mementos. The only personal things Daryl could see were photos of Sophia, which were all over the place. Daryl looked at one of the photos, showing Sophia getting soaked by a lawn sprinkler, standing only in a diaper.
"she was only about 2 then. Now it's apparently illegal to leave home without a skirt on." carol laughed as she walked up behind Daryl
Daryl turned and looked at her. "She's a good girl. Best behaved kid I think I've ever seen."
Carol's face turned sad. "Yeah she.. she learned early staying quiet works the best."
Daryl looked back at the photo. This was something he had felt all night, felt he should share to her. "Yeah, I had to learn too."
Carol's eyes shot up to his, and a look of recognition passed between the two abuse survivors.
"Ed he... he hadn't gotten to her yet. But it was a matter of time. I... can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Sophia doesn't know anyone in this neighborhood. Ed, well he isn't listening to the restraining order. And I don't want a repeat of yesterday. Would you be alright if, if I told Sophia that she could run to your place if Ed shows up?"
Daryl didn't hesitate in his response.
"No problem. If I ain't there, there's a key under the barbeque for the back door. Just, tell her to stay away from any cabinets. Very well could be guns or knives in there."
"Thank you Daryl. Really for everything."
Daryl saw how close they were now, and didn't want to ruin anything, but he needed to know.
"Hey Carol, I... I got somethin' ta ask ya too."
carol looked up at him and smiled. "Yes?"
Daryl swallowed and ploughed ahead, quietly speaking. "Are ya lookin' for a friend or something' more? Cause I don't mind being a friend, just... wanna know if we may be headed somewhere."
Carol was surprised at his question and even more surprised at her immediate answer.
"I'd like this to be headed somewhere."
both Daryl and Carol seemed surprised at themselves and Carol's answer. After a few awkward moments, they started giggling. The giggling got louder, then they found themselves holding each other, laughing. Carol had tears streaming down her face, as Daryl looked up. Even though he knew those tears were from laughter, he still didn't like the sight of tears on carol's face.
Daryl lifted his hand, and wiped the tears away, looking carol in the eye as he did so. After he was done, they froze for just a second, before moving forward into a kiss. They held each other close, as their lips met first gently, then with more passion. A few short minutes later found them still hanging on each other, kissing with everything in themselves. Daryl pulled away to gasp for air, as Carol gasped with him. They looked at each other as they panted.
"Damn woman. Sucked the air outta me!"
Carol giggled as she kissed along Daryl's jaw line. "same here! Wow, you really know how to win a girl over!"
Daryl leaned his forehead on hers, so they were looking in each others eyes.
"First girl I ever done this with. I mean, I been with girls, but that's all been one night stands and shit like that. You're different carol. First girl I ever wanted more with, wanted to date."
Carol kissed him and whispered on his lips. "I've never done this before. Dating I mean. I... well didn't really date ed before we were married. Not really sure how this is supposed to work."
Daryl smiled at her. "Guess we'll be figurin' it out as we go."