AN: new chapter
I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead
Chapter 10
The sun was coming up. Daryl's eyes were straining to stay closed. If he kept his eyes closed, he could pretend that his life was not one big disaster. He could pretend none of this was real, that he was not running for his life. He could pretend that his god damn scalp was not so damn itchy, he groaned, bringing his hands up to scratch at his hair, then moaning in pain again at the movement.
"You're scalp's probably itchy from all the dried blood, " Carol muttered.
Daryl's eyes flashed open, scanning her face. He'd almost forgotten she was there, almost but not quite. Her presence seemed to hum in the background, always there even if he was trying to ignore. Trying not to face what he'd done. No matter what, even if she'd had more than ample opportunity to leave, he'd kidnapped her. He could make no excuses for that. She should hate him, instead of smiling at him. Or at least be scared. She said she believed, he wasn't sure how she could, after such a short time. More than likely she was saying that because it was what what she thought he wanted to hear, but he honestly felt
"I can help you, wash your hair if you want."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The lodge still had electric, and water, and that's how he found himself sitting shirtless on a chair in the laundry room in front of a large laundry sink. Daryl had balked at first at taking of his shirt in front of her, standing there uncertain when she'd told him to take it off, she'd found him some cleaner clothes, but he stood there fingering the hem of his shirt, hesitant, despite how crazy it seemed.
She turned and saw him, standing there and uncertain, and she paused then moved forward. "I'm sorry" she said softly. "It must be hard to get that shirt off with your ribs paining you. I'll help you."
She'd stood in front of him, slowly opening his buttons, like she was trying not to spook him.
One button at a time, then her hands would slid down his chest to the next one.
She smelled amazing, like wild roses, goose bumps erupted across his skin when she stood on her tip toes to push the shirt off his shoulders.
She murmured in dismay at the site of his stitches, like the site of his pain bothered her. Her hands went to the wrap she placed around his ribs when he was unconscious.
He was shivering now. What the fuck was she doing to him? He couldn't bring himself to make her stop, to snap at her like he would have anyone else. Her arms would wrap around him, to grab the wrap behind him, and he found himself wishing that she would just stop what she was doing, and hold him, for just a minute. God...he was so pathetic.
"Cold?" She asked then, her hands were on his cheek, like she was checking his temperature. "This will only take a minute." She murmured and pushed gently on his shoulders for him to sit, and tilt his head into the large laundry basin sink.
He shouldn't want this, he shouldn't get used to this. Someone...caring for him. Her fingers were gentle, like she was worried she would hurt him.
Carol slid her hand under his neck to support it while she rinsed his hair, and he couldn't take it anymore.
"Why are you doing this?"
Carol looked confused for a moment "Cause you were itchy." She said.
Her face was directly above him staring down at him with confusion. All he wanted was for her to kiss him he realized suddenly, and that scared the crap out of him.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I was lying earlier."
Carol turned to her side, wondering if Daryl was awake, if he heard her. They were lying across from one another, he was settled on the couch as she'd insisted when he had tried to take the floor, she'd made herself a pallet.
His question from earlier had unsettled her, why was she helping him?
She was not someone who lied to herself, she'd spent the last few hours examining
herself why was she still here? He couldn't stop her if she decided to leave, hell he hadn't even taken her cell phone from her. She could call for help.
"About what?"
His voice was hoarse, and it sent a trail of shivers down her spine, like it curled around her, wrapping her in warmth.
"I know who you are, what you're accused of doing." She started to say but he interrupted her.
"What...how?" He asked suddenly.
She snorted then giggled " You're a shitty kidnapper, I still have my laptop and cell."
She smiled as she heard what sounded as an chuckle coming from him. The sound just about broke her heart, she was more than certain that he hadn't had much reason to laugh in his life time. He deserved to have some happiness.
"I'm doing this because ..." she paused biting her lip " we had very similar childhoods and I understand... I'm doing this because I think you got railroaded, I'm doing this because you need help, and I believe you, I believe you're innocent, I'm doing this because...I think I'm starting to see who you are, and you're a good person and ...I want you to stay safe."