AN: hey guys! I got the sense some of you were a little unsure about the last chapter, let me just reassure you I have only happy Caryl endings in mind but in the process of that stuff and things will happen :) I am basing Daryl's injury on something that happened to my teenaged nephew when he got into a motorcycle accident a couple of years ago. All I will say is he is currently walking around on two legs (thank god!). Wheww! Long AN sorry I don't usually do that. This is a little short but I think you will like this chapter. Let me know what you think:)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

SHELTER

CHAPTER TEN

He knew Carol was starting to worry, Daryl hadn't spoken since leaving the surgeon's office other than yes or no answers to her questions on the way to the hotel. She'd found the place relatively easily and managed to get them checked in without too much hassle. Dale had booked a suite that had two rooms and a sitting area.

It was a nice room, a large corner sectional was facing the windows which had a view of the water. They'd stayed there before, it was Dale's favorite place and close to the hospital. He made his way to the sectional sitting in the corner swinging his leg up in front of him, staring out the window, with a sigh.

The surgeon had made it clear that amputation was a worst case scenario, not what was expected to happen, but wanted the option available to him if he felt it was necessary. He knew that, understood it, but he couldn't help but feel shocked. That word, that word kept hitting him straight in the face: amputate.

Life, for the past year (hell all his life really)had thrown some messed up shit his way, and in the past year he always knew that amputation was a possibility, there had even been times when he'd wished for it but hearing the doctor today talk so openly about it, made it real, made it concrete. Fuck if he was honest with himself he was fucking scared, he thought as Carol sat down next to him. He was terrified.

Life was so unfair, he thought with a groan. He'd only just met Carol and if he was truly honest with himself his feelings for her were pretty intense already. She kept proving that she seemed to understand him, that she liked him thorns and all. He wanted more but how could he expect her to want to start something with him, with an axe hanging over his head? This was too much to ask of anyone. He wanted to distance himself, he wanted to protect himself from all the ways she could hurt him and she didn't even know it. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even realize initially when she had started speaking softly

"Daryl...I feel like I need to be honest"

He nodded at her to continue feeling his stomach clench in apprehension.

She was suddenly very interested in her hands, she looked nervous as she started speaking again

"I feel like there's something between us, something good, I think we could be more than friends and I think you might feel it too...I want you to know none of this, not one single part of today, is scaring me off...I still want to give what ever this is a chance"

She paused for a moment and he felt his chest heaving in shock, he wasn't able to speak. Somehow yet again she knew exactly what he needed to hear.

"I know this may not be the right time for me to say this, this probably is not where your head is at, if your not ready to give it a try, if you're not ready for this, I'm...I'm willing to wait, for you to be ready, but you should know baggage doesn't scare me, in fact I have baggage of my own that...that you may decide is to much for you, that I'm not worth it...but...I'm not going anywhere even if you only want to be just friends." She turned to look at him then, her eyes looked unsure.

He felt like such a coward, here she was opening all of her feelings to him and he'd been wanting to push her away. He felt humbled by the fact that she was doing that for him. She was so brave...he was in awe of her, and he didn't give a fuck whatever baggage she brought with her, there was nothing that could change how he felt, maybe they were just two of a kind.

He reached his hand up and brushed the hair away from her face, bringing his hand back to cup her neck. She placed her hand on top of his brushing her thumb along the inner aspect of his wrist, the whisper light touch sending shivers down his spine. Fuck, he thought as he stared at her, I'm so far gone already, it's scary.

"I ain't good at this, but I want this too...whatever this is..I..."

He broke off when her lips were suddenly on his. There was I hesitation in him as he responded eagerly. Bringing his other hand up he cupped her face the kiss continued. Her lips were were soft and he felt as though for the first time in his life he understood what the big deal was people made about kissing. He'd never liked it, never enjoyed it, before this very moment. They broke apart panting and she pressed her forehead to his smiling and then she'd softly whispered "Wow"