Shaking his head, he watched her disappear into the house, she could deny it all she damn well wanted, he had no intention of leaving her alone. Why did she bring Beth up though?, they were history, she was too young for him, after all they had agreed to be friends. If Beth had told her different then he had to sort that out. Carol was his, she belonged to him. Lighting a cigarette he headed towards the barn, where his bike was housed. He need the open road, a time to think.

"Ya off out?" Merle was sat in the dark, a cigarette burning in his fingers.

"Yeah, need some alcohol" He replied making sure the cigarette butt was placed in the small bucket, Herschel kept around the place, for them.

"Think I may join ya, Stay away from her bro she needs to mend" Merle had seen the exchange between them on the porch, waiting in case he was needed to pull his brother away. She was too like their mum, fragile at the moment, but he could see there was a fire in her, that he knew would come forth soon enough, He had seen that earlier when she took on his brother, this was certainly going to be an interesting time.

"Can't do that Merle" His eyes went to the house, a light came on in the room next door to his, a smirk came across his face, so Herschel had put her next to him. That would mean, she would be sharing the en suite bathroom, oh the idea's of what he could do, were already forming, in his twisted mind. He continued to watch as she shut the curtains, not missing her looking through the window, could she see him?. Shaking his head, bad mistake there Herschel, very bad mistake. Merle saw him glance to the lit up room, damn had they not put her in another room?, originally she was next to Beth's. Why was she in the one next to Daryl's?.


Carol moved inside the dimly lit house, hearing Herschel watching Television, she headed up the stairs, her feet hardly making a noise. Trying her best to stem the tears, she didn't see Beth standing in the shadows. Had no idea, the girl had seen it all on the porch, having come down to tell her Sophia was settled, she had seen Daryl kiss her, she had never seen him like that. He was out of control., all he wanted was Carol. He had never been that way with her, was it because he felt she was too young to take his passion?. Or did he really see her as just a friend?. She saw Carol check on Sophia, before going into the adjoining room, a few minutes later she heard her crying. Beth's heart broke, part wanted to go and hug her, tell her all would be ok. The other half wanted to hate her for what had happened earlier. Yet she couldn't hate her, Carol had not asked for what Daryl did, yet she never pushed him away. It was clear Daryl had strong feelings for her cousin, and she had only been there a day.

Shutting the curtains in the large room, Carol sank to the floor, tears falling down her cheeks, biting her hand as she tried to stem the sound, use to being quiet. Her eyes glanced around the room, how beautiful it was, from the pale cream walls, and warm wood. To the plush thick carpet, rocking chair, with a few of her books on the small table, that also had a reading lamp on, so she could relax at night. The large bed looked so inviting, and she knew the sheets, pillows and mattress would be the softest she had ever felt. Herschel and his family had ensured it was done, especially to her needs, even her clothes had been put away. Crawling to her feet, she went to check what the other door lead too. Surprised when she saw the beautiful en suite room, with shower and large Victorian bath, it was as if they had seen inside her deepest secrets, decorated as she had imagined. There was another door on the opposite side of the bathroom, walking to it, she twisted the handle, wondering where it led to. Thinking it would be the hallway, she was shocked to see a darken room, a little smaller than hers, from what she could see from the light shining from the bathroom. It smelled of him, walking a little further in, she tried to see some sign that it belonged to him, or maybe his brother?.

"That's Daryl's room he won't be happy seeing you in here" Carol jumped at Beth's voice, she hadn't even heard her come in. Hiding her face, she shut the door behind her.

"I didn't... I mean..." Oh god what was she doing, her thoughts were all over the place.

"It's ok, come on you need to rest, you are safe here Carol. Please just rest, shall I go make you a cup of tea?" Carol nodded, thanking her, she waited until Beth left, before locating some sleeping clothes, she quickly changed, she would shower properly tomorrow, feeling so exhausted with it all. Sitting in the rocking chair, she closed her eyes.


Beth's good side won out, she couldn't stand to hear Carol upset any longer, the woman had suffered enough. Heading into Carol's room she was surprised not to see her, walking into the en suite bathroom, she smiled when she saw Carol inch further into Daryl's room. He would go crazy, if she knew she was in there, so she spoke up. She knew Carol was hiding her tears, she looked so drained and exhausted. Doing the one thing she could think of she offered her love and sympathy, then offered to make a tea, she remembered how much Carol loved her tea. Heading towards the stairs she quickly checked on Sophia, smiling at her, fast asleep cuddling the teddy she had given her years ago. She could be grown up about this, if Daryl wanted Carol and she wanted him, she would step back, she had chance to meet others, for the two broken people they were, this could be their one chance at happiness and surely they both deserved that ,after all they had gone through.


"Carol" she spoke softly not wishing to scare her, Maggie had not long since been in from her date with Glen, she had seen her earlier, but had to rush out. Carol jumped and turned to the voice.

"Hi honey, how did your night go?" She glanced around, letting her eyes adjust to the light, noticing the cold tea next to her, that Beth must have brought in earlier, along with a glass of water, which she sipped, her mouth so dry.

"It was great Carol, you will get to meet him tomorrow, you will love him. Hey enough about me, I saw your light on and thought it would be better you went to bed" her smile warm

"Thanks sweetie, I don't know how long I was out for, Beth was making me a tea and I guess it's all caught up with me." her body felt stiff for sleeping in the chair, her legs numb as they were underneath her.

"Do you want me to help you?" Carol shook her head, smiling at the younger woman.

"Just getting old honey, give me a minute and I will be ok"

"Maggie I got her, ya go to bed darlin" Carol felt her heartbeat kick up a notch, hearing his voice at the door. He couldn't see her like this, in her shorts and cropped top, not after what had happened earlier in the evening.

"Ok Daryl thanks, Night Carol" She smiled at Maggie,saying good night to her whilst ,trying to hide her fear, as the man who had taken up most of her thoughts, walked in. He looked windswept, his leather jacket hanging off his shoulder, his t-shirt stuck to him. Damn he looked hot, her eyes glanced up his body, and her mouth went dry. Daryl hadn't missed her look, made him hard that she was studying him. He had done his best to get his mind off her as Merle had drummed into him, even danced with one the local girls, but nothing. All he could think about was this woman sat in front of him, looking sleepy and sexy as hell. Even the two beers he managed to drink, didn't work. Nothing would work, until he had her under him.

"So where ya want me?" If that wasn't a loaded question, thought Carol. She could see the smirk on his face as he waited. Oh she could have fun with this one, uncaring she replied back

"On the bed" his smirk becoming bigger as he leaned a little further into her space.

"On my own or with ya?" He dropped his leather jacket on the floor and reached for her, letting her get her bearings as the feeling came back into her body. His eyes watching her every move, she was stunning, from her creamy legs, to the top of her head. His body ached to have her, anyway she would damn well let him.

"Now Daryl we hardly know each other" she smirked as she let him guide her to the bed

" Not even a day darlin and ya got me taking ya to bed" he couldn't resist saying.

"You are helping me Daryl, nothing else, it's too soon" She had to stop this stupidity, this wasn't like her.

"Still won't change what I wanna do to ya darlin" He didn't miss the shiver of her body, or the way the goosebumps came up on her exposed skin. His lips ghosted her neck, he had to see if it was as soft as he thought, his tongue snaked a slow path from the side of her neck to her ear.

"What...do...you want to do to me?" He words unable to form, as her whole body reacted to his touch. His mouth was near her ear, nipping the lobe

"Ya know damn well what I wanna do to ya woman. Need to know if ya let me?"