A/N: Thank you for all the support of this one-shot turned into full-on story! When I think of Daryl and Carol, Kelly Clarkson's "Beautiful Disaster" comes to mind.

Oh and I don't know / I don't know what he's after / But he's so beautiful / Such a beautiful disaster / And if I could hold on / Through the tears and the laughter / Would it be beautiful? / Or just a beautiful disaster

One moment they were standing fully clothed in front of the cell and the next moment they were tangled in a state of undress on the cell bunk inside.

It wasn't fast and furious, but rather a slow dance as articles of clothing were aimlessly tossed aside until neither had a stitch on against the dusty mattress.

He drowns in his dreams / An exquisite extreme I know / He's as damned as he seems / And more heaven than a heart could hold / And if I try to save him / My whole world could cave in / It just ain't right

As Daryl hovered over her, Carol saw it flicker across his face that he was suddenly unsure of himself. She realized he probably hadn't done this much, if at all.

He's soft to the touch / But frayed at the end he breaks / He's never enough / And still he's more than I can take

Daryl gazed at Carol's face framed between his forearms and suddenly felt insecurity wash over him. He hadn't been with many women and all the ones he had been with were while he had been in a drunken stupor. He'd never actually made love with a woman, much less one he cared about.

I'm longing for love and the logical / But he's only happy hysterical / I'm waiting for some kind of miracle / Waited so long / So long

She soothingly slid her hands across his scarred back and urged him closer between her legs.

He settled in her willing arms, poised at her entrance, gritting his jaw.

She gripped his hips and bowed into him.

The moment they joined, they stared into each other's souls, bonding in a way neither had ever experienced. They moved as one, the only sounds echoing in the empty cell block were heavy breathing and the creaking of metal.

He's magic and myth / As strong as what I believe / A tragedy with / More damage than a soul should see / And do I try to change him? / So hard not to blame him / Hold on tight

Daryl's breath hitched as he neared his peak. But he didn't want to fall over the edge without Carol so he hoisted one of her thighs higher over his hip, giving him access to thrust deeper and harder.

Carol let out a keening mewl as Daryl raked against her spot. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be immersed in the intense pleasure that consumed her. He groaned as he rocked through her climax and found his own.

He collapsed against her while trying not to crush her, his face in her neck, soaking in her scent.

She couldn't recall the last time she had felt this good as she ghosted her hands across his sides and through his hair.

Shadows were beginning to appear in the cell block by the time they pulled apart. They dressed, shyly glancing at each other as they reveled in the afterglow of their newfound connection.

Daryl linked his fingers with Carol's as they exited the cell.

Their silent reverie was disrupted by a loud clang and muffled shouting as they neared Cell Block C.

Daryl dropped her hand and rushed forward. Carol raced after him, nearly colliding with his back while he came to an abrupt halt.

"So what, I'm under house arrest now?" Merle yelled.

Rick stood in front of the cell he had just thrown Merle in with a glaring Carl at his side, keys dangling from his hand.

"I guess you could say that. Until you get yourself under control, I don't think it's safe to let you wander the prison," Rick replied, as he rubbed his temple. He was sporting a shiner and bloody lip.

Glenn stood nearby with an incensed Maggie tending to scrapes and bruises on his arms and neck. The rest of the group lingered at the edges of the cell block unwilling to come closer.

Carol could feel tension radiating off Daryl and didn't know if she should intervene or let him loose.

"What the hell, Merle?" Daryl barked as he moved near his brother's cell. Merle locked eyes with Daryl and snorted.

"Are ya here to bail me out or ya gonna side with Officer Friendly?" Merle pointedly asked.

Daryl shook his head and got close to the cell bars.

"Don't make this 'bout me," he said in a menacingly low voice. "Ya did this all by ya'self. Yer gettin' what ya deserve."

Merle cocked his head, a frown on his face.

"So ya gonna put them 'fore yer own blood?" Merle growled.

Daryl slammed his palm against the cell bars.

"Look at yerself! Bein' a bully. We ain't gonna be yer punchin' bags no more," Daryl replied. "I told ya they're my family too. Ya can't get along, then ya can't stay. I got nothin' more t' say 'bout it."

With that, Daryl twisted around and muttered apologies to Rick and Glenn before striding out of the area. Carol shot Merle a warning look before following Daryl.

"Can't we all just get along?" Michonne mumbled to no one in particular from where she was perched on the stairs.