A/N: Sorry about the big space between updates again, for a few days I had no wifi but I'm going to be honest with you guys and say I've lost all confidence when it comes to this story. Which is odd because you've all been amazing, hell, 44 reviews, 69 follows and 31 favourites at this early stage is amazing. So I am working on getting the feel of this story again and thank you guys so much, without you guys I wouldn't even be trying.

The breathing across her neck frightened her. Her mind was blank for a while, not knowing who was wrapped around her. She tried to wriggle away but whoever it was snaked a hand out and pulled her back. She came so close to freaking out and going head first into attack mode before her brain caught up with her and she remembered that it was Daryl. Feeling relief she rolled over to face him, surprised to see him watching her, wide awake.

"I'm usually the one that's tense," he commented.

She didn't respond, just kept watching him. She remembered being angry at him last night and she instantly wish she hadn't been. It just bugged her that he didn't seem to be bothered by the possibility of death. She knew deep down that he would fight 'til the end and would never allow himself to be turned into one of those things but she knew if the end came he'd accept it, and she was afraid that he'd do something reckless.

"Were you really that worried?" he asked when she didn't respond.

"When I saw Rick and Maggie without you I thought the worst," she admitted.

"I was fine."

"I know that now but back then I didn't," she sighed. "You need to understand that I had no idea that you were fine. All we knew was that you were left there alone."

"And I'm fine by myself."

"Is that what you want?" she questioned. "To be by yourself?"

"No," he said quickly, confusion sinking in. "I just mean I can handle myself."

"Well, I was still worried," she mumbled.

"I had to stay," he whispered. "Maggie was in no fit state and to be honest I was better than Rick."

"And he does have two children to come back to," she reluctantly agreed.

"That wasn't my first reason to send him back, I went with skill," Daryl explained. "Rick was strong enough to get Maggie back safely but I was better to stay on my own, God knows how long it would've been for."

"So the kids were second?" Carol guessed.

"Yeah," he nodded. "For Maggie it was health, second was Glenn, Hershel and Beth."

"And you?"

"I was always going to stay."

"But if there was a reason for you to leave."

"First, if Rick was more skilled or I was as bad as Maggie at the time," he started slowly, pacing himself for the second reason. "Second, was Merle and... You."

"Then why didn't you just come back?"

"And leave a perfectly good car?" he questioned. "We need that car. Plus we had some food, water and other stuff. Couldn't carry it all on my own."

None of this made her feel better. She still couldn't forget how worried she'd felt. "Daryl, if we're doing this thing, secret or not, you have to think more clearly. I know you were safe, deep down I know that you were safe out there but I was still worried. I refuse to lose you too so you have to remember that you have two people waiting for you here now. I know Merle doesn't act like he's that bothered but he cares."

"Be more careful," he nodded. "I got that."

She smiled a little, believing that he would. "Sorry that I seem a little... Yeah," she laughed nervously. "I just never had to care this much about anyone except Sophia."

"What about the others?"

"Oh I care about them, but it's different."

"How different?"

"Imagine how you feel about Merle." He nodded. "You love him even though, and no offense, he's been a bit of an ass since you guys joined us in Atlanta. And even though I can see you getting annoyed you still stand up for him. No matter what you'll always do that, right? You'll always love him."

"He's my brother, he's blood."

"And that's how I felt for Sophia," she nodded. "She could've said the most horrible things to me and I'd still love her. She could've done anything really."

"So where do I come into this?"

"It's the same with you," she shrugged. "No matter what happens I'll still want to be with you, take care of you, lo-"

He nodded, knowing what her last statement was going to be. If he was honest he was glad she didn't say it. He knew for a fact that he would've struggled to say it back even if he wanted to, and she deserved to hear it. After everything that had happened to Carol, losing her daughter, putting up with that pig of a husband, she deserved to hear that she was loved too and Daryl just wasn't sure if he could do that just yet.

Carol was meant to be on guard duty but she had sought Beth out and asked if they could swap. She had missed Judith and really wanted to spend some time with the little girl. Beth had been all too willing to agree and she'd even dragged Carl off with her to patrol the perimeter while Merle took over from Rick on the vantage point. It was the perfect swap in Carol's eyes. Especially when she sat on the bench with Judith in her arms and the little girl started to grasp at anything within reach and giggled. She may cry a fair bit and eat like there's no tomorrow (which may very well be the case), but Carol was happy that she was the age she was because the tiniest things amused her and kept her happy.

"Bet that girl would find paint drying amusing."

She smiled as Daryl sat on the seat beside her. He leaned his good arm on the table behind her and leaned in to get a closer look. "How's the arm?" Carol asked, intent on ignoring their close proximity.

"A little sore after sleeping last night," he admitted. "Nothin' I can't handle though."

"You sure?"

"She should stop worrying, don't ya think?" Daryl asked Judith has he let her hold onto his finger. Carol gave a disapproving look. "Yeah, I'm sure. It'll go away. Plus, worse things could happen to any of us in the future, we'll need as much as we can get then."

"Well if it gets too much tell me."

"I will," he promised. "Or Hershel seen as he has the drugs."

She smiled as she watched him tickle Judith's tummy. It was a sight she could get used to, especially if it was their kid, but she knew that was highly unlikely. With Daryl it would take years to get to that stage, and she wasn't naive, neither of them were exactly young and in the world they lived in would having a family really be a good idea? Hell, would she be able to do it again, knowing what was out there and what could happen?

"You OK?" he asked as he continued to amuse Judith.

She shook her head in an attempt to clear it. "Yeah, I'm fine, was just thinking."

"About?"

"Daryl Dixon, Super Nanny," she joked.

He gave the most sarcastic laugh she'd ever heard, and before he could tag a comment on the end she started to laugh, distracting him. Judith went silent for a moment, looking up in wonder until she started giggling, causing Daryl to start laughing as well. Of course Daryl regained control of himself first but he (and Carol) had to admit that him laughing was a rarity and it definitely wasn't a bad thing if he decided to do it some more.

After a while Beth had come back over for a drink of water. When she said she was going back they all swapped round again. Daryl had gone back to patrol instead (Carol still wasn't sure how that had happened), Beth took Judith and Carol went to help Rick and Hershel who were checking the weapons. She quietly sat with them and counted and catalogued the ammo while the two men checked and cleaned the guns. They spoke a bit before Daryl's arm was brought up.

"He said it was paining him or something this morning," she admitted. "But it's Daryl so he refused to take medicine."

"Maggie's the same," Hershel added. "Said that we may need it later for something important."

"Daryl had the same reason."

"We shouldn't have to worry about this sort of thing," Rick sighed. "We should all be healthy and safe."

"That's not possible in this world," Hershel sighed sadly.

"Hey," Carol said thoughtfully. "Maybe we should celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" Rick asked.

"Being alive?" she shrugged. "We should get some drink, cook a tiny bit extra than we normally do and spend some time together."

"It's not a terrible idea," Hershel agreed.

"After the last time out I'm not sure."

"This one will be easy," Carol promised. "We'll be careful."

After some convincing she managed to get Rick on board. They discussed who would go at first. Carol instantly volunteered and Rick suggested Michonne and Andrea, if one didn't want to go then he would. After the weapons were sorted they even made a list of things to get to make their "celebration" better. Luckily they would hopefully be able to get everything from one place with a couple of exceptions. Rick felt more confident and happy about the idea the more they discussed it.

"What's going on here?" Daryl asked when they all gathered for dinner and he spotted Andrea checking her gun.

"We're going for a run," Andrea supplied.

"Are you forgetting what happened recently?" Daryl demanded.

"No," Rick said, stepping in. "But we're low on fuel after what happened and we do need some supplies. We did what we did so runs would be easier, so we knew where was safe and where wasn't, where was worth going and where wasn't."

"Yes, but it wasn't easy was it."

"It'll be different this time," Andrea argued. "You guys went in blind like we usually do on runs. But we know what towns are quiet, what roads aren't blocked. Thanks to you guys we have it all mapped out. It's an in and out scenario. We won't even be gone that long."

"And what is this run for?" Daryl asked.

"Fuel," Rick said straight away. "And if they find some food, medicine, weapons, clothes, it would help."

"You sure that's it?" Daryl asked, watching the entire group this time.

"We were going to have a celebration," Beth spoke up, cracking first.

"So that was the real intention of this thing, huh?"

Carol spoke then, stepping forward slightly. "It's what started the idea for a run, yes. We figured we need drink, some extra food..."

"But I wouldn't allow it so Carol suggested we use it as a supply run too," Rick continued. "We do need fuel after yesterday and extra supplies can't hurt, can it?"

"Who's going?" Daryl sighed, knowing he wouldn't be going.

"Me and Michonne," Andrea explained.

"Just the two of ya?"

"No," Carol mumbled, looking anywhere but at him. "I am."

"Oh," he said, teeth clenched. "Right."

The group accepted that response and got back to what they were doing. Hershel and Rick were giving the list they'd put together to Michonne and Andrea, Hershel explaining some of the meds he put on there. The others were sat around either minding their own business or talking as they set about giving dinner out (Michonne, Andrea and Carol had eaten while they got their stuff together). Carol stood where she was, however, watching Daryl as he watched her. Some time passed between them before he turned and walked in the opposite direction. She quickly moved to walk with him, trying not to make too much of a scene.

As soon as they were out of the way of everyone Daryl pulled her to one side. "Weren't you even gonna talk to me about this?"

"This one will be safe."

"We thought about our trip."

"You were gone for a few days, anything could've happened," she argued.

"I sometimes go hunting for just as long and nothing ever happens."

"No, you're in your element when you hunt and you never venture too far unless you're trailing something big," she shot back. "And Merle is always there, it's his element too."

"Not to sound harsh but going on runs isn't exactly your element."

"Maybe it should be."

"No way," he growled. "You're staying here where I can keep an eye on ya."

"I have Michonne and Andrea with me."

"Make someone else go." He suddenly felt the worry that Carol must have felt. He was angry at first, thinking that maybe she was punishing him. She had put on this big thing about him being on his own, but then he realised that she wouldn't be on her own. She was doing this because she wanted to, because it was something that needed to be done, but he still didn't want her going.

"I can't, there is no one. Rick is exhausted, I'd rather Beth and Carl didn't go, Hershel and Judith can't, Maggie and you are out of action, and sending Merle out with Michonne and Andrea would not be a good idea."

"What about Glenn?" he asked hopefully.

"Maggie needs him," she sighed. "Plus he'll be a big help here."

"I need you," he mumbled. "If Glenn has to stay for Maggie then why can't you stay for me?"

"You have Merle and the others."

"It ain't the same."

She reached out and placed her hand lovingly on his cheek, giving him a moment to adjust. "I promise I'll come back. We're gong to the closet town. You guys said it was safe, rarely any walkers. I promise that at the first sign of trouble we'll turn back."

"Promise?"

"Promise," she nodded. "Plus, someone has to come back and make sure you don't get into trouble."

He rolled his eyes and hesitantly put his good hand on her hip, pulling her in closer to him. She smiled up at him as she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. Ignoring the voice telling him to run he rested his cheek against the top of her head and wrapped his good arm around her, careful not to hold her too hard or too close. He was fighting with himself to plead one more time for her to stay and not go on the run. It amazed him that he appeared to be so weak. The old him wouldn't have given this much care if Carol had wanted to go on a run, sure he may have been concerned but he wouldn't have begged. God, if Merle had heard him.

"Carol we're leaving!" Andrea called.

Reluctantly Daryl let go and they walked over to where Andrea and Michonne waited for Carol.

A/N: Sigh, so yeah. I do plan for like 90% of this story to be about Daryl and Carol's growing relationship but of course it's the Walking Dead so there will be runs (some good, some bad) along with some drama. But I don't plan to do too much of that. Anyway, hopefully the chapters will get better and more frequent soon x)

R&R