Disclaimer: I own nothing.

––

Carol brushed the grime off her teeth from the catfish she'd ingested the previous night. She enjoyed spending the day with Daryl, but fish was not her favorite thing in the world. At least not fish that fresh. It still freaked her out to watch him cut it open and slice it up to cook. She know how it worked, but she didn't want to see it. On the upside, Daryl could cook well.

There was a knock on the door, she spat out toothpaste and tipped back the cap full of mouthwash, quickly swishing and rinsing her mouth out. She wiped her chin off and hurried to the door. She smiled until the person on the other side was revealed.

"Honey, I'm home." Ed stepped inside and kissed her briefly. He reached out and wiped something off the side of her mouth. "Missed a spot."

"You're home." Her voice was disbelieving and hollow, not at all excited or happy like she should've been. "You're home. Why? I thought you had to work for a few more weeks." She closed the door as he set his suitcase down and removed his jacket.

"We can talk about that later." He gathered her up in his arms and kissed her again.

"Ed, wait," she tried say in between his hungry kisses. "Ed, please."

"I just cut my business trip short, and all you want to do is talk." His eyes were cold, and Carol knew where this would go.

"Ed—"

"I bought you something," he cut her off.

"You did?" She watched him closely as he opened his suitcase. "You shouldn't have."

"I wanted to." He pulled out a bag and then lifted up a light blue all-over lace detailing babydoll dress. "Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful." She reached out and touched the soft material, lifting her eyes to his. "Do you want to me to wear this?"

"Yes."

"I—I'm not feeling so well." She crossed her arms over her stomach. "I think it's my period."

"Carol, you had your period already. I'm not stupid. I can do the math, and I pay the bills, that includes your credit card."

She chewed her bottom lip. "You just got home, do you have to start?"

"Excuse me?"

"I—I just mean—Aren't you hungry? I can make you something to eat."

"I already told you what I want. Don't push me, Carol. I'm not in the mood." He tossed the dress at her. "And you know what I like."

She caught the dress and glared at him, but just a little. She started for her bedroom, he grabbed her arm, and she almost cried out at the force he used to grab her. "What?" she asked through her teeth, pain burning up her arm.

"If I were you, I'd get rid of that look. Permanently." He released her.

She walked to the bedroom and her eyes burned. She forced herself not to do anything, because he was definitely willing to do something back. She changed into the dress, brushing her hair out of the burn and zipping up the boot he liked. She felt pretty for the most part, but all she wanted to do was curl up and die. She did not want to do this. She wanted to climb out the window, find Daryl and run very far away with him.

She removed her necklace and set it on the counter. When she lifted her eyes, Ed was behind her. Her skin crawled as he ran his hand down her shoulders, grasping her hips. She let out a small whimper, but Ed took it was a moan, and she closed her eyes as his lips touched her neck. She went back to the woods, back holding hands and laughing with Daryl and let the rest fall away.

––

Ed decided they were going out for dinner, he made her wear a cutout neck black dress with black heels, and she was allowed to wear her hair and makeup as she wanted. She numbly fixed her hair and put on makeup, Ed was getting ready in the bedroom, and she heard someone pull into the driveway. She told him she would answer it as she adjusted her earrings.

She answered the door and found Daryl on the other side. "Now isn't a good time."

"Your parents are takin' you out?"

"No, not exactly."

"Who? Lori?"

"No, me." Ed stopped just behind her. "You must be Daryl. I've heard about you."

"From who?" Daryl challenged.

"Around." Ed smiled, almost darkly. "How can we help you?"

"We?" Daryl repeated.

Ed nudged Carol hard in the back, but Daryl didn't see it.

"Yes, we," Carol said. "Is there something you wanted or did you just want to stop by and say hi?"

Daryl watched as Ed slid his arm around Carol's waist and pulled her against him. "Yeah, just came to see how you was doin'."

"I'm great." She forced a smile. "Why wouldn't I be? Ed's home."

"Right." He stepped back, locking eyes with Ed. "Y'all got plans?"

"Just going out with the parents to discuss the wedding," Ed replied. "You should come. If you can't afford a tux, I can loan you one. And your brother. I'll even send them to you. Do you two still live in that beat up trailer on the outskirts of town?"

Carol tensed up. She had no idea Ed knew where Daryl and Merle lived. He was doing this on purpose. Those pictures were taken by someone he hired to keep an eye on her, and he knew they were spending a lot of time together, so he came home. He's telling Daryl that if he doesn't back off, he'll do more than sit idly by. He might even kill Daryl and Merle too.

"Yes, we do."

"We should go." Carol took his hand. "We shouldn't keep our parents waiting."

"No, I want to talk to Mr. Dixon a while. Dinner can wait."

"Ed, let's go." She pulled on his hand, he jerked his hand back so rough it caused her to fall. She groaned in pain as she twisted her ankle.

"You son of a bitch!" Daryl lunged.

"Daryl, no!" Carol tried to stand up, but a sharp pain shot through her ankle, and she cried out. Ed let Daryl get one hit in before he punched him in the gut and made Daryl throw up on the lawn. "Daryl."

Ed pulled out his phone and called the cops, wiping the blood off his busted lip. "I'd like to report an assault."

Daryl rolled onto his back, gasping, trying to catch his breath, and Carol crawled over to him, but before she could get to him, Ed picked her up and carried her inside. She flinched at his touch, he gently set her down on the sofa and tenderly removed her heel, inspecting her ankle.

"Looks like you sprained it." He met her eyes. "Shame. We had a nice evening planned. You're such a klutz."

"You practically pushed me," she spat.

He smiled and squeezed her ankle, digging his nails into the tender flash, and she cried out. "It's such a shame that you fell, darling. Isn't it?"

"I fell," she whimpered. "I fell, I fell, I fell!"

He released her ankle and kissed her. "I'll wait for the police." He grabbed a few throw pillows and propped her ankle up. He kissed her forehead and went outside, and Carol squeezed her eyes shut as the sound of groaning came. She tried to stand up, but her ankle was too sensitive, and she fell off the couch, whimpering. She dragged herself to the door and found Daryl on the lawn, his nose bleeding, his cheek swollen and he was gripping his side.

She watched in horror as Ed broke Daryl's arm. "Ed, stop it!" She pushed herself up. "Stop it now!"

His crazed eyes fell on her. "Bitch, shut the fuck up and get inside!"

"No, you leave him alone!" She was shouting, and it was getting the neighbor's attention.

He walked over to her and pushed her inside, distantly hearing sirens. He hauled her up and carried her to the bedroom, dropping her on the bed, and he hovered over her, clamping a hand over her mouth. She tried to pry it off, but he was too strong. "If you ever do something like that again, it'll be your ass on the lawn."

"Get off of me!" she shouted against his hand.

"You think you're brave?" He lowered his face to hers. "You don't have a brave bone in your generously sized body. Stay in here or I'll bash his skull open. Don't try me, Carol." He released her and stormed out of the house as the cops parked in their driveway.

Carol limped out to the hall, Karma watched her from her hiding spot behind the couch, and Carol saw Daryl get arrested, and she cried. She fell to the floor and cried, not able to do anything. She heard what Ed was telling the police, saying Daryl barged in, hit her so hard she fell and sprained her ankle then attacked Ed. His reasoning was that Daryl was trying to get her and do something horrible with her. The officer was Rick, and Rick didn't believe a word of it, but he made it seem like he did. He'd seen Carol crying in the window, and he remembered how Carol and Daryl were during Thanksgiving.

He nodded. "Thanks, Mr. Peletier. I'll need a statement from Ms. Jenner."

"She's resting," he told Rick. "She's in shock."

"I still need a statement from her."

Ed glared. "Okay, but tomorrow. She needs to rest."

"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow." He tipped his hat and walked away, glancing at the house once before getting in the car and driving off. He was taking Daryl to the hospital, not the police station.

Ed went inside and found Carol on the floor, staring numbly at nothing. "Carol?"

She lifted her eyes.

"Put some ice on your ankle. It's starting to swell." He kissed the top of her head. "I'll tell your parents weren't feeling well." He picked up the keys. "Oh, and don't try anything. I'd hate to see what might happen next." He left the house.

She swallowed and closed her eyes, praying. She hadn't prayed like that since was in high school, and she was afraid she would be praying like this more often.

––

Carol had her interview with Rick at the station, Ed insisted on driving, and Rick insisted on speaking to Carol alone. Carol told him what happened, and Rick told her about Daryl's condition. He didn't have any broken ribs or a broken nose, just a broken arm. He would be fine, and all the other injures were minor and would heal quick enough.

"Give this to him." She held out an envelope. "Please."

He nodded. "How's the ankle?"

"It's fine. I just tripped going to help Daryl. My heel broke."

"All right, sure."

Ed walked into the room. "I hate to break this up, but we have lunch plans. Are you done?"

"Yes, we are." Rick rose and shook Carol's hand, comfortingly squeezing it. "If you need me, I'm here."

She hugged him and whispered in his ear, "Tell Lori I said hello."

"I will." He released her. "Have a nice lunch."

Ed grasped Carol's wrist and led her out. Ed was very gently with people around, but the minute they were out of sight, he pushed her along, knowing her ankle was injured and it hurt to walk. And when they were in the car, he turned to her and glared.

"What did I do now?" She met his eyes.

"Are you screwing everyone in town?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're such a slut, and I knew you were." He started the car.

"I'm not! I've only ever been with you!" she stated.

"Either that or you haven't picked up anything. You're horrible in bed, and there isn't much to look at." He scoffed. "With all the weight you've packed on, none of it went to your breasts or your ass."

"If I am so fat and disgusting, why marry me at all?"

"Because, Carol Jenner, two beautiful people make an ugly child, and my mother adores you for some unknown reason."

"You're a pig."

"Just wait until we get home."

The next three days were hell. All Ed did was belittled her, abused her and threatened Daryl's life. When he wasn't talking, he was practically forcing himself on her. She became very numb to everything, and she hadn't heard from Rick or Daryl in days. She slowly drew within herself and stopped trying to contact anyone. Ed seemed pleased with her reaction, Carol hardly left bed anymore, and her parents and Lori and Lilly called nonstop, wanting to know if she was okay. Ed didn't pick up the phone but once a day. And on the fourth day, he was dressed in a suit and his bag was packed.

He kissed her forehead and left the house.

She didn't move, but as his car pulled out of the driveway, she cried. She cried from the depths of her soul and didn't stop. She didn't hear the car pull up, and she didn't hear her enter, but she felt her mother's arms around her.

"What is it?" Candace softly asked. "What happened?"

Carol cried into her shirt. "Mommy."

"Shh." She stroked her hair. "I'm here. Lori's here. It's going to be okay."

Lori set a cup of tea on the nightstand and sat beside Carol, rubbing her back. They didn't get anything out of her, Candace packed most of her clothes, and Carol didn't object as Candace led her out of the house and into her car and drove her to her parents' house.

"Carol?" Edwin set his glasses on the table as Lori led Carol toward her childhood room. "What the hell's going on?"

"It's nothing." Candace kissed him and carried a box of pictures to her room. "Could you make Carol something to eat?"

Lori and Candace set up the room as Carol bathed, Edwin made her something to eat like his wife had asked, and Carol wore baggy clothes that were comfortable and from Wal Mart, not some designer in Paris. She ate the grilled cheese and tomato soup her dad brought her, Candace thanked Lori for her help, and Lori told Carol call her before leaving to head into work.

"I brought you some tea." She sat on the bed. "It's lukewarm."

"Why are you doing this?" Carol asked softly.

"A young man called me, and he told me you needed me." She crossed her legs. "I may not be the biggest supporter of strangers calling my cell, but when you didn't answer, I knew he was right." She took the empty plate. "What happened?"

"Ed." Her eyes burned. "He's changed."

"Changed?" Candace frowned. "Changed how?"

"I really don't want to talk about this now." She wiped her eyes. "May I be alone? Please?"

"Of course." She took the bowl and kissed the top of Carol's head, closing the bedroom door behind her.

Carol curled up and sobbed herself into exhaustion, Candace went to the store to get the food Carol liked, and Edwin was still out of the loop. He went to check on Carol, finding her curled up asleep, her eyes puffy, and she looked like she was seventeen years old again.

He picked up the crocheted blanket her grandmother had made and covered her with it, moving a stray strand of red hair from her face and kissing her forehead. "Good night, baby girl." He closed the door behind him and noticed Candace had left her phone on the counter. He shook his head and let it be. He had bigger issues than his wife leaving the grocery list here.

– – –

Daryl sat outside on the stairs, staring at the homework the sub had left, and he sighed, closing the book with his one good hand. He hadn't heard from Carol since that asshole came back last week. He'd tried calling, texting, but she wasn't answer. He knew she wouldn't be at home, and he doubted Lori would tell him where she was. He would just have to wait.

"Daryl." Amy Horvath stood at the end of his driveway.

"What do—What brings you here?" Daryl set his book down and rose, meeting her halfway.

"I just wanted to check on you. You seemed so distant in class, even more so." She studied his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just sucks, 'cause I can't hunt."

"Hunting, right." She tucked hair shyly behind her ear and reached into her purse. "Andrea and I made some sandwiches for the football players to eat during their practice, and I thought I would bring you some of the leftovers. We have so many, and I don't want them to go to waste." She pulled out a lunch bag and held it out.

"This your daily act of charity?" he growled.

"Umm, no. N—no, of course not." She lowered her hand. "I—just thought you and Merle would like turkey and Swiss. I'm sorry."

Daryl! He could hear Carol reprimanding him. "You didn't. I—It's my damn arm. I'm just pissed at myself. This means a lot. I appreciate it."

She smiled. "It's no trouble."

"Could you take 'em inside? I only got one arm, and I got this book to carry."

"Sure."

They went inside, Amy unpacked the sandwiches, Daryl put his book in his bedroom, and Merle rose from a dead sleep. He staggered sleepily into the living room, yawning, stretching his limbs, and he cracked his neck. He groaned satisfied, and he looked over, seeing a young girl unpacking wrapped items that he could assume were sandwiches. Her cheeks were bright red, and he realized he only wore jeans.

"Sorry, didn't see you there." He grabbed a shirt off the couch and tugged it on. "You're Andrea's kid sis, ain't you?"

"Yes." She met his eyes. "But most people call me Amy."

"Sure." He took one of the sandwiches, unwrapped it and found meatballs and cheese inside. "You make this?"

"Yeah, it's a family recipe." She studied his face.

"Hmm, it's pretty good."

"What is?" Daryl returned to the living room.

"I gotta get to work." He grabbed his jacket and two more sandwiches. "Behave, Darylina. Thanks for these, lil' sugar."

Daryl glared after him, about to say something to Amy when he noticed the look on her face. Well, it looked like he didn't have to worry about Amy crushing on him anymore. She'd moved on to the older and ruder Dixon. He half-expected a cute little giggle to sound from her, but luckily, that didn't happen.

"Lemme give you a hand." He opened the fridge and grasped a handful.

"Please, let me." She snapped out of her trace and helped him put the sandwiches away. "That's all of them."

"Thank you, Amy."

She smiled. "Don't worry about it. I had extra, and T couldn't fit anymore into his van."

He nodded. "Anything else I can help you with?"

"Yes. I wanted to know if you knew where Carol was. I haven't seen her in so long. I'm worried." She was genuine. He'd seen a lot of bullshit to know the difference. "Are you two really...you know? I'm not judging, and I'm not trying to pry, but if you two are...then do you know how she is?"

"I don't, and we're not."

"Okay, I guess it's not my place to know. I was just concerned." She folded the bag up then paused and met his eyes. "If you two were you know, that would be so cool. You two are so cute together, and if you had a baby, that baby would be so freaking precious."

He flushed and dropped his head, his bangs covering his reddening cheeks. "I doubt that."

"I don't, but that's just my opinion." She stuffed the bag into her purse. "Here. Give this to Carol if you see her." She held out a card. "In case she's sick. Since I don't know her very well a card is a good idea. If you can give this to her, I'd really appreciate it."

"Can't you?"

"Dale's taking me out of town to look at an internship in Florida. My dad's family out there, so I figure if it's good, I can stay with them. Anyway, I won't be back for a while, so I'm trusting you." She thrust it into his hands. "Don't let me down, okay?"

"Try not to," he mumbled, taking the care.

"Thanks." She smiled warmly. "Have a good day, and enjoy those." She turned and left.

"Hey, thanks," he called after her.

"No problem!" She waved and disappeared down the street.

He looked at the bubbly handwriting on the pink card and tapped it against his hand. Carol had gotten a week off of school, and it was about time he contacted her. He knew where she was, sort of. He just had to get there.

––

"I just feel...violated," Carol said softly, exhaling slowly. "I have bruises all over my thighs, and I dream about it every night. I can't escape it. It keeps playing over and over in my head, all of the things he said and did, and I can't..." Her voice broke and she stopped. Talking about it aloud made it worse, especially when no one was around to hear her or comfort her. She didn't want anyone to know. It sounded very like rape, and in a way it was, but in another way it wasn't. Maybe it was her mind trying to protect her from the truth. Who the hell knows?

"You can't just barge in here!"

"Edwin, stop it."

"No, she needs to rest, not be bothered by this."

"Trust me, Edwin."

Carol sat up, half-expecting some therapist to walk into the room. She dried her eyes as the door open, and she stared at who entered. Her parents were down the hall, and her mom simply smiled reassuringly at her as he shut the door.

"D—"

He grasped her cheeks and kissed her carefully, slowly, not wanting scare her. He pulled back, searching her confused blue eyes, and she slowly smiled, leaning up to kiss him. He savored the taste of her lips, the feel of her mouth on his, for a moment longer then broke the kiss and kissed her forehead.

"What are you doing here?" She relished in the feel of his warm hands on her cheeks.

"Visitin' my girl," he replied softly.

"Entirely your girl."

He kicked off his work boots and climbed into bed with her, brushing her hair from her neck, and he nuzzled his face into her soft skin. He wrapped his arms around her, she snuggled against him, feeling his chest against her back and feeling safe for the time in days. His earthy scent surrounded her, and she closed her eyes, letting the rest of the world fade away, but never letting the feel of his arms around her waist fall away.