Chapter 7.
"Where did you come from?" asked Carol with a smile few hours later.
She felt better now. They both sat on the bed, she was leaning against the pillows. Carol had been drinking a lot of water and some broth too. Daryl had even managed to find some painkillers. Carol watched the medication respectfully.
"What is this place? Hilton?" she joked weakly.
"Compliments from our host. May he rest in hell", Daryl said harshly.
"I tried to fight against him. I really did. I even managed to get away from him once, but he caught me eventually", Carol told him.
"I really don't remember everything", she said quietly and looked away.
Daryl put his hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her.
"It's okay. I came here just in time. You know, before he…", he explained feeling uncomfortable.
"Raped me", supplemented Carol. Daryl just nodded.
Carol turned to him and looked at him with serious face.
"Thank you, Daryl. I wouldn't be here without you. But tell me - why did you come? I'm sure Rick told you that I killed two people in the prison. He forced me to leave because of that, you know", she said.
"I know", Daryl replied.
They both sat in silence for a while. Daryl knew that Carol was waiting for his answer now. At first he didn't know what to say. He had never been man of many words. Finally he decided to speak straight from his heart.
"I came because I couldn't be without you. Regardless what you did", he said.
Carol watched him stunned.
No doubt this was the sweetest thing she had ever heard from Daryl Dixon's mouth. She took his rough hand between her palms.
"What do you mean, Daryl?" she asked gently.
"Fuck, what was I suppose to do?" he snapped, unable to stay calm anymore.
"Rick kicked you out just like that. That asshole! You could've died. You almost did!" he shouted, voice trembling at the end of the sentence. This uncrushable redneck was really almost crying now.
"Shh, it's okay, I didn't", Carol whispered caressing his shoulder, feeling tears in her own eyes too.
Daryl turned to her and took her in his arms. He hugged her tightly.
"I almost lost you", he mumbled against her neck.
Carol felt dizzy. And it had nothing to do with the fever anymore.
"Daryl, listen to me. I feel the same. The worst thing really was leaving you."
Daryl loosened his grip on her and looked at her in the eyes.
Then he bowed his head and kissed her for the very first time.
Lightly at first. Then the kiss deepened.
Carol grabbed his shoulder and opened her lips a bit. Momentarily she forgot herself and the world around them, she focused on this man and his lips completely. Her body reacted powerfully. She felt warmth in her belly and her crotch.
God, how she needed this man. She made a whimpering sound.
Daryl let go immediately and jumped up from the bed.
"Carol, I'm sorry. I know you're only just recovering. I just… Damn it, I really missed you, woman", he said and rushed out of the cabin in a hurry.
Carol was still breathless. She didn't really know whether to laugh or cry. Men are such babies sometimes, she thought.
But to tell you the truth she was happy.
She felt warm, tingling feeling inside. Like a flock of butterflies trying to find a way out.
Suddenly she realized how tired she really was. She needed good, normal sleep now.
She fell asleep with a smile.
