Carol ate as much as she could at breakfast, Daryl making enough to feed a family of ten before she had to admit she couldn't eat another bite.

"Sorry," she mumbled through her last mouthful.

Daryl laughed at her softly, "don't worry 'bout it, Merle'll eat whatever you don't."

Carol gave a relieved smile as Daryl took her plate away.

There was a moment of silence between them as Daryl turned back to face her and she looked back at him.

Neither of them knew what to do now.

Daryl opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when his brother came stomping his room.

Daryl's mouth snapped shut as saw the excitement in his brothers eyes.

"Oh boy we're in for the big bucks this time," Merle hollered, taking a piece of bacon out of the frying pan.

Daryl bit his tongue, promising himself he wasn't going to ask about it,

Merle's dodgy dealings was not something he wanted to be dragged into, no matter how much Merle wanted him to.

Daryl hummed a sort of response and served the rest of the food onto a plate for Merle, keeping his eye on Carol.

"No boy I don't think you get it, you ain't gonna have to work another day in your damn life," Merle beamed.

Daryl's eyes narrowed at his brother, "whaddya mean?"

Carol gazed up between Daryl and his brother, she wanted to ask what the job was but knew it wasn't her place to question.

"Well this job it's, uh, a bit more of a permanent fixture."

Daryl scowled at his brother, he didn't want to hear any of this, Carol shouldn't be hearing any of this. Daryl knew what his brother did wasn't legal, he shouldn't be talking about it at all.

He decided to drop the subject, especially while Carol was around.

"Good for you," Daryl grunted.

"You get a promotion?" Carol perked up and Daryl's stomach twisted a little.

Merle gave a slow grin as he looked down at her sat at the kitchen table, nursing her coffee.

"You could say that darlin', means his broke ass is gonna be able to take you out places real classy, you'd like that sweetheart?" Merle asked in his drawling tone.

"Merle stop!" Daryl snapped slamming his mug down on the side.

Carol jumped and looked up at Daryl, his fists balled, maybe he didn't like Merle trying to give her the wrong impression, maybe Daryl didn't want anything to do with her after this, maybe she pushed it too much last night.

He'd been okay with her this morning but then maybe he was just biding his time until she left.

Merle held up his hands, "alright alright, don't get your damn panties in a twist, I'll tell ya 'bout it later."

Daryl thrust the plate of food into Merle's hands and he seemed to take the hint wandering back off to his bedroom.

The waves of tension coming off Daryl was making Carol feel on edge, like she was no longer wanted.

"I best be heading off then," Carol said standing suddenly pulling Daryl out of his angered stare towards his brothers door.

"You don't gotta do that," Daryl frowned, his stare softening.

Carol ran a hand through her hair, reaching into her bag to get her phone, "no no don't worry, I have some stuff to do today anyway," she baffled, "um, uh, what's the address?"

"Don't worry about it," Daryl said chewing the corner of his mouth, she must of caught on to what kind of work Merle was in and wanted out while she still could, he couldn't blame her, "I'll drop you off, make sure you get home safe at least."

Carol wavered but nodded, if he was offering who was she to pass up a free ride.

"Alright give me a minute," Daryl said going to grab his coat and keys.
He headed towards the door without another word and Carol followed sheepishly to his car, it was almost like the walk of shame only it wasn't.
Daryl opened the passenger door for Carol and shut it behind her before getting in himself.

They sat in silence as he started up the engine, he was going to ask her out again this morning, but now he wasn't so sure that was what she wanted. Him and Merle always sort of came as a package deal, you get one deal with the other. Merle had a lot of fucking baggage which often fucked with Daryl's life. He couldn't just leave his brother though, he'd be dead ten times over if Daryl wasn't there, he was the only family he had.

Carol picked at a hangnail as she stole glances at Daryl occasionally. He was just being a gentleman, the same as he had done last night, doesn't change the fact that he'd obviously changed his opinion on her now they'd got to know each other a little better.

She let out a small sigh, she shouldn't of gotten so drunk, it's not like she intended to. He seemed fine with it until Merle came out, maybe he was just trying to play nice until he dropped her home. Then never call or text again, that easy really. She felt so stupid, she just wanted to get home and forget about it, about him, he was clearly just playing along and taking her for a fool.

He pulled up at her driveway and cut the engine, he had to say something now, clear up the situation with Merle.

"Carol I-"

"Save it," Carol interrupted, "I don't need to hear it."

Daryl felt his heart sink a little, clearly her decision was final.
He nodded respecting her decision, "okay, well thank you for a lovely evening."

For some reason Carol could feel herself almost getting emotional as her throat tightened, "thank you Daryl."

With that Carol left got out of the car and went into her house with out so much as a glance back at Daryl sat in the driveway.