Well I had some free time after my fiance got home and took over puppy watch. I now officially have eleven beautiful little puppies all grunting and going on right now! They are adorable! Now I had intended on this go another way and not spiral quite this far but my brother abandoned me and then Ace disappeared leaving me to get bored and just write waiting on them. So I hope you enjoy. :D

Carol still felt her face burning in embarrassment as she drove to Daryl's house. She had his food and hers. Apparently Will wasn't kidding when he told her to get something to eat as well. She didn't know that he was going to show up there but she should have known. Of course Mac and them would need lunch too. He walked in when she was ordering Daryl's and eyeballed her until she ordered something too. Merle was all smiles his eyes smug as he looked at her. She was quickly learning that the Dixon men were the type to get what they wanted. Whether it was by charm or sheer force of will depended on the situation.

Carol stopped in the driveway taking in the house. It set back away from the road with large oak trees and pines lining the driveway and fence line. You couldn't see the house from the road and you were left to guess until you drove further into the driveway under the cover of the tree canopy. The land alone was breathtaking and Carol felt her heart beat in excitement and the prospect of getting to explore it.

Pulling up next to two bikes and a truck Carol sighed and closed her eyes leaning her head back. What was she supposed to say to him? He was going to think she was crazy. Pushing her door open she took a moment to really look at the house. It was big. Bigger than what she honestly expected but it made sense. The Dixon men had large personalities of course they'd need a lot of space to house all of that.

Grabbing his food and hers she turned and looked around again. Her eyes drifted upwards to the deck she could see on one side of the house. It was on the second story and only had on set of doors that went out on to it. From what she could see there wasn't a lot of furniture but then maybe that was on purpose. Stepping up on the large wrap around porch Carol twisted Will's key between her fingers unsure if she should try knocking or do like the man told her and just walk in.

Knocking on the door Carol stood back waiting for a response. Nothing. Knocking again she was met with a thunderous bark that startled her and she stepped back. The dog didn't stop and she heard disgruntled mumbling along with someone moving to the door. Carol chewed her lip when she heard Daryl shushing the dog.

The door swung open and he wasn't even looking. He was glaring down at the animal in question that turned out to be a large german shepherd. The dog was watching her it's tail wagging back and forth before it barked again. Daryl finally looked over at her and the shock in his eyes was almost comical. He shifted on his feet and cocked his head to the side the dog mirroring him. At the second bark Daryl growled at it and huffed.

"Carol something wrong?" His voice was rough and she could tell he'd been asleep.

Clearing her throat Carol tried not to stare at him. He was making it hard and didn't even realize it. "I seen your dad and Merle today."

Daryl nodded stepping back from the door, "Come in."

Carol smiled and walked by him the dog trotting next to her. "Whats his name?"

Carol looked over in time to see a full smile on his face, "Shelby, her name is Shelby."

"Yours?"

"Yeah. Mac's is around here somewhere no doubt be a sorry ass like him." He snorted walking ahead of her.

Carol sucked in a breath at the expanse of his back and picked up her pace. His back was marred in deep bruising and she felt guilt for causing him to have gotten up. He was walking slower than he normally did his steps seeming slightly halted.

Daryl looked over at her, "Something wrong with them?"

Carol raised a brow, "What?"

"My dad and brother...you said you seen them."

He was standing on the steps looking at her. She again found herself forcibly trying to not check him out. He was completely bare except for the black pair of hanes sleep pants riding low on his hips. He looked like sin dressed up with a bow on it. Blinking and forcing her eyes up to his he raised a brow at her letting her know that her actions didn't go unnoticed.

He moved quicker than she thought his hand catching her jaw and turning her face towards the light on the steps. WIth his other hand he flipped a light on and scowled. "What happened to your face?"

Carol's face flooded red and she tried to move but he looked at her the worry and concern in his eyes breaking her. She felt tears well up and shook her head. SHe wasn't going to talk about this with him. SHe couldn't. He wouldn't understand with someone like WIll as his father.

"Your dad do this?" His voice had a knowing edge to it that set her on edge. "Son of a bitch."

He released her and turned walking up the steps. Carol swallowed and followed him unsure what to do. He was mumbling to himself threats whispering down to her that were directed at her father. Walking quicker she slipped into the room behind him before he shut the door and realized she was still holding both things for him. His food and medicine.

"Daryl." He jumped slightly turning his eyes going to hers waiting. "I was coming to check on you today when I seen him. It's nothing though...he left before anything worse happened."

Daryl spun and glared at her, "You think a man hitting you let alone your own father isn't bad enough? Because where I come from and how I was taught you don't fuckin' do that shit Carol. For no reason, ever." He snarled, "That main ain't worth the effort it took to make him."

Carol smiled at him and nodded, "I don't disagree but will you take your medicine."

"What are you doing with it?" He leaned forward taking it from her.

"Told you I seen your dad and brother." her voice was soft getting his attention. Understanding washed through his eyes and he nodded, "How do you feel?"

He chuckled, "Like I fell down a goddamn ladder."

She watched as his face burned red and sipped her drink. It was endearing to see him home. He was more relaxed without his brothers breathing down his neck. She liked see him like this. She liked it for more than the view it was giving her. Face blushing again Carol looked around what was clearly his room. The large set of double doors she seen from outside going to the deck were apart of his room. The doors were cracked and she could feel a breeze pulling through. With it came a strong woodsy smell and she smiled, it suited him.

"Are you the only one with a deck or did you all decide to make your own?" Carol smiled at him.

Daryl looked over his shoulder as Shelby pushed the door open more walking out and sprawling out in the sunlight. Daryl watched her for a minute before looking at her and standing. Carol followed him outside and took a seat next to him on the only thing that he had out there. It was a swing that was cushioned. He was rocking the swing his eyes on the woods when he sighed.

Carol pushed the bag of food at him, "Your dad asked me to get that for you since he knew I was coming to see how you were."

Daryl nodded not saying anything before he took a bite. He was chewed his food and looked back over at her his face slightly red. Outside in the bright sunlight the bruising that wrapped his back and on to his shoulder looked worse and she wanted to do something for him.

Reaching over Carol pulled her own food out trying to balance her drink. Daryl was balance too but Carol moved to fast and tipped both of them. Things went in slow motion and she cringed watching as both cups of Dr. Pepper dumped into his lap. Daryl jerked his breathing whistling loudly out of his chest and Carol slung her food down into the bag. Grabbing what napkins she seen she moved to help him. Brushing the ice away Carol worked quick trying to soak up what pop she could. She was almost frantic mumbling apologies so embarrassed that she didn't even want to look at him. Her mind caught up with her hands and her actions a bit too late and what little dignity wilted right there. Pausing her hands in mid motion on his groin she chanced a look around and blinked.

"Carol." His voice was hoarse. Clearing his throat she met his eyes and swallowed at how dark they were. "I-fuck...I'll be right back."

He stood up leaving her holding soak napkins and watching his retreating figure. Carol's face turned even redder realizing she had been feeling him up. It wasn't intentional. Not by a long shot. She felt a laugh bubbling up and tried to stifle it. It worked until Shelby rolled over looking at her. At that Carol lost it and started laughing tears rolling down her cheeks. He was going to think she was some kind of weird stalker showing up at his house and then covering him in pop for a chance to feel him up.

When he walked back out he had on a black tee shirt and jeans. His face was red when he set back down and she tried to not laugh. Tried. It lasted for about thirty seconds and then she snorted. His eyes went to hers and she seen the corner of his mouth lift just slightly.

"You make it a habit to just start groping a man when he's trying to eat?"

Carol shrugged her shoulders swiping at her eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't seem sorry." He mumbled watching her as he chewed.

Carol grinned again but didn't say anything. He made it easy to just be herself. She didn't need to worry if he was judging her. If he was thinking about her like she was just someone to bed. She felt like he was actually paying attention.

They ate in silence. The steady rocking of the swing was almost lulling her to sleep and it felt welcome. She was mentally and emotionally exhausted from her ordeal with her dad. She wasn't sure when he'd show back up but knew he wasn't going to let it go. That wasn't who he was.

"Wanna talk about it?" His voice was low.

Carol looked over but the sun was getting low and on the side where his deck set it was already cast in shadows. The large pines and oaks shading them. Carol shivered and he stood motioning her after him. Walking inside he pulled the doors shut sealing them into his dark bedroom. Lights blazed on shortly after and she blinked. His room was cleaner than she had expected it would have been.

"You were right about him." Carol sighed looking around. Crossing her arms over her chest trying to push away the chill that had set in. Carol jerked when a shirt hit her in the face. It was a long sleeve of his and he kicked out on his bed his back against the headboard. Shelby jumped to the foot of his bed watching Carol.

"Why'd he hit you?" Carol bit her lip and looked away. Daryl motioned towards her, "Find a seat Carol, no point in you standing there."

Taking a chance and being brave she walked to the head of his bed and took a seat next to him. He didn't say anything but waited on her to get comfortable. A strong male scent washed over her as she shrugged his shirt on and got into place. It was all Daryl. It was comforting.

"He got mad about me being moved but he overheard me and Natalie talking...he slapped me then but thats when your dad and Merle got there." Carol picked at the threads of her jeans, "He said some things that if he cared he wouldn't have."

Daryl nodded along, "So fuck him. You don't live there no more."

Carol laughed, "It isn't that easy Daryl."

He looked over at her leaning his head back, "Yes it is. You live on your own. Pay for your own shit what the fuck can he do Carol? Bitch? Fuck him."

Carol nodded along with him but gave a dry laugh, "His friend owns the place I work. I'll lose that job I have no doubt. I'll have to move back if I want to be able to afford anything."

Daryl gave her a weird look, "You'd move right back there instead of just looking for a job that IS closer to you. Safe and away from him?" He pushed her hand away from the hole she was making in her jeans. The feeling of his hand on her thigh making her body heat up. "Don't make a lot of fucking sense to me Carol. You know Will would understand about shit where your dad is concerned."

"Your dad is a good man." Carol sighed, "But the more he tried to help the worse things will be Daryl."

The sounds of the front door slamming had her head swinging around. Shelby didn't even move. Daryl just leaned back and shook his head, "Probably my uncle Jess getting the spare keys." Sure enough the doors slammed again and then the sounds of a truck pulling away was all there was. Night had fallen. "You know that as long as you think like that Carol you're always going to be stuck in the same situation."

Carol's nostrils flared and she set up looking at him, "It isn't that easy. You have a dad who would do anything for you!"

Daryl set up leaning into her face and looking pointedly at her bruised jaw and busted lip, "He'd do anything for you to Carol! Hell I would too all you have to do is fucking ask!" He growled out.

Carol's chest heaved at his words and she felt them settled deep in her chest. Looking back and forth between his bright eyes she nodded, "Then help me."

He moved quick as he had before but she caught him around the neck not letting him move. Pulling him to her she took a chance and kissed him. He grunted at the contact but quickly responded to her and pulled her tight against him. Carol melted into his chest the warmth radiating off him doing serious damage to her mind and body. He took control of the kiss but didn't push her letting her choose to deepen it.

Pulling away from him breathing hard her hand planted on his chest feeling the strong beat of his heart, "Help me."

He gave her that lopsided smile again and nodded at her. "I can do that."