It had been three days since that incident, three days since she had run away from the angry words. Her body was still numb with grief over his words, as she tried to push them out of her thoughts, they should never had mattered to her, but they did Sorting the room out next to hers, surprised when Merle had confirmed he still wanted to stay there and not any of the other rooms. She attempted to smile at the older man, but it never reached her eyes, he lifted his hand to stroke her cheek

"M' sorry about his shitty attitude darlin. We had words and he will learn to control his tongue around ya now" He never told her what had been said between the brothers, when Andrea and herself had gone back to the room Daryl had his back to the door and Merle's hand looked bruised. He had refused any visitors from that moment on and today three days later he was due out from hospital around lunchtime. He refused being collected confirming he would make his own way when he was good and ready, telling Merle to make sure Carol was ready that evening for the first of her appointments.

"It's ok Merle, I am use to it got worse from Ed"

"I don't give a fuck what ya got from Ed, a Dixon don't speak to his woman like that" Carol laughed at his incorrect remark

"Merle I am not his woman"

"Honey if ya saw what I saw each time that boy looks at ya, there would be no doubt in ya mind"

"Enough Merle, there is nothing between Daryl and I and there never will be. Off with you I need to get this room sorted and then check what to wear tonight" feeling her body go tense he smoothed down her back

"Honey it will be ok tonight ya know. All it is a dinner with some of ya fans"

"You...you and Andrea will be there won't you?"

"Darlin try keeping us away, we both promised we would support ya at this and we will, to every function, interview and signing until ya feel safe"

"What if I never feel that way?"

"Ya will sweetheart I promise" kissing her on the head, he headed out the door, telling her that Daryl had called he would be there around 6 in time for them to all leave to the restaurant.

He took Dale's offer of a lift to Carol's, with a stop off at the mall. His eye was a blue/ black colour his cheek not much different, luckily his long hair fell over most of it hiding the damage. The pain in his rib and hip bone numbed with the painkillers making it easier for him to get what he needed. Dale watched as the young man strode with a purpose through the mall, ignorant of the admiring glances and looks he got from almost every woman he walked past. Heading into his favourite shop, he purchased a cream/white shirt, which he put on, it that made his hair look almost black, his scruff he had trimmed, but it still showed the grey making him look more like a model than a guy who had spent the last few years hidden from the public. Casting a look over himself in the mirror behind the cashiers he hadn't scrubbed up bad, as he checked the outfit he now had on. Teaming it with black suit pants that fit him perfectly, not too tight and not too slack, he put on his black shoes. Folding up his cuffs on his shirt to just below the elbow, he placed his silver watch on his wrist. the skin on his arms weathered from years in the outdoors., but even he admitted he would pass for tonight, after all it was his usual style of dress.

"Well old man what do you think?"

"Nice to have you back Dixon you always knew how to dress" with a smirk at the god smacked teenager behind the counter, he winked at her as he finished paying for his goods. Dale laughed as she almost fainted and yet again the young man was oblivious to his charm, the good thing in all this the old Daryl was seeping through.

"Right let's get this party started" with a quick run of his fingers through his hair they headed back out to the car, dropping his purchases in the boot with his suitcase and crossbow, he slammed it shut. Sliding into the passenger seat, he lit a cigarette as Dale hit the highway to his new home for the next few weeks. His thoughts on the woman he was going to protect, the woman he would be calling his until the culprit was found. The game had just begun Carol was now his prey, the doctors had cleared him for sex, that had been the first question he asked before leaving the hospital, smirking to himself he blew the smoke out of the open window

"Dare I ask what is on your mind Dixon?"

"Ya don't need to know Dale, believe me ya don't" adjusting himself, he let the scenery fly by, as the care ate up the miles towards her house.

"So she's defiantly at the function ?"

"Yes"

"You going to try tonight?"

"If I can"

"What the hell do you mean if you can?"

"She's taking protection so to speak"

"What is she some type of celebrity, fucking protection. And who is this protection?"

"Dixon"

"Merle Dixon what? That old red neck ain't good for..."

"No the younger one "

"Fuck!"

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"What I just said Fuck, I thought baby Dixon had run for the damn hills, living as a recluse, something to do with his pa. Shit I didn't know he was back in the land of the living"

"Why do you sound afraid of him?"

"I ain't it's just hell he's a trained killer, his job was a bodyguard to some of the most influential people He did his job well, if he is on the scene than we have to rethink this. Stick by her, keep an eye on Dixon, see if he is there as her protector or as Merle's brother? I want all you can grab information wise, then we will make our move"

"Ok, I will .I still do not understand why you worried after all I got him good"

"What the hell do you mean you got him good and why was I not informed he was even in the fucking picture?"

"I came across him earlier in the week, remembered him from years ago, thought it would scare Merle off if I went for his baby brother"

"When the hell did I give you permission to think. Shit you could have fucked this right up. Never ever mess with a Dixon and now you have brought them both in to this. You sort this and sort it quick"

Carol heard voices downstairs as she finished getting ready, her hands were shaking so much putting her earings in, she almost lost the back to one. Finally it went in, brushing her hands down her dress, she looked at herself. This was all new to her, it had been so long since she had been in the public eye and now she felt right into the forefront, with Daryl playing her boyfriend, she couldn't so this. Locating her bag she placed her phone in, her back to the door, she didn't hear the footsteps coming into the room, or the gasp of breath from the man standing there. Glancing at the mirror she jumped in surprise to see Daryl just behind her, the look on his face showed pure lust, need and want. All for her, her eyes moved up to his meeting them in the mirror. Her heart stopped and her pulse raced, he was gorgeous was this the man who only three days ago lay in that hospital bed a mess. She stood still unable to move as he walked towards her, his hand going out to shut the bedroom door to.

Daryl had no idea what he was doing, when he saw the vision in front of him, his body took over as his feet moved over the soft carpet towards her. His eyes never leaving hers in the mirror, the dress she had on was the colour of pale cream, reaching to her ankles, it covered her. Yet her back exposed to him, how his tongue wanted to taste the softness of her skin there. The dress was held up by what looked to him like a scarf around her neck, leaving her shoulders naked. How the hell was he to sit through dinner and not touch her. His body was a hairs breath away from hers as he watched her eyes deepen to a darker blue, how proud he was that she never once dropped her gaze. His lips moved towards her ear as his breath warmed the outer shell, he could feel her body reacting to his. The goosebumps clear on her arms,as he just stood there, inhaling her scent, then he spoke softly in her ear, flicking his tongue to taste the lobe

"I want to fuck you" was all he said, as he turned back and walked out the door, leaving Carol standing there in a state of arousal. Her tongue smoothed over her lips, as she tried to get her thoughts together, her whole body hot and aching. How was she to get through this dinner, without jumping him.