Wow, I'm loving the love and support you all show! Thanks for the show of support, everyone. This chapter will be longer than the others, but I can promise that you will love what happens...Oops, said too much, XD. Enjoy!

"Daryl Dixon, you're a fucking liar!"

Carol was fuming, shoving her finger into Daryl's chest. The following morning, after Daryl witnessed the secret meeting between James and The Governor, he called a meeting between the group outside, away from James who had gone to check on his 'daughter' with Hershel. Daryl struggled to tell them about James...actually, he had lied to himself. He knew Rick, Glenn, Maggie, and the rest would have no problem accepting the truth Daryl had told them. It was Carol he was concerned about informing on her so-called friend, or lover based on the level of reaction. Daryl wonders if this is how she reacted when Rick told her, that Daryl and Merle left the prison together. Did she react with this same emotion, calling Rick and everyone else a liar? Or did she just accept it without question, like everyone else? Everyone stepped back, watching as Carol sobbed angrily at the world, and at Daryl. Sure, she had a lot of reasons to be upset. If anybody had cause to be angry with the world, it was Carol.

Daryl took a step forward towards Carol, his arms extended into an open embrace.

"Carol, I'm sorry. I know ya aughtta be mad, n' shit with me. But I ain't lying, not when it comes to the safety of our family."

Carol doesn't rush to surround herself with Daryl's arms, but doesn't openly object to them as they envelope her. If Carol could count on one thing, it was that Daryl wouldn't lie if he had genuine cause for concern. She just couldn't wrap her mind around what Daryl was saying. Could James really betray her like that? And how would the Governor even know of their relationship? And what Daryl was saying, that the little girl wasn't his real daughter...it was nearly unfathomable. It must've felt like forever, Daryl's arms wrapped tightly around her like a child tucked into their security blanket. Carol hadn't realized she had sunk deeper into his chest, listening to the steady breaths, or the rhythm of his heartbeat, because it was all too soon when Daryl pried her arms that had found themselves around his waist. He distanced himself a foot away from Carol, one hand on her shoulder and the other cupping her face, utilizing his thumb to wipe away the tears.

"You feelin' better?" He asked. Carol stared, seeing the usual worry that flashed in his eyes when he asked of her well-being. Carol still didn't want to believe her best friend, would do this, but she trusted Daryl more. Even if it'd make someone feel better, Daryl wasn't known to lie.
"A little. I still don't believe what's going on, but I know one thing if it's all I know."

Daryl was confused. "What," he inquired."I know you wouldn't lie to me, if you thought it needed to be said. If it was the last time you could possibly say it."

Carol flashed her smile at him, Daryl returning it to her. "Come on, woman, we got a situation to figure out.

Carol couldn't help but feel a surge of giddyness, as Daryl put his arm around her, walking together arm-in-arm. She would need the support, she knew she would be the one to tell James to leave, since she brought him in. Everyone must be furious with her, for blatantly ignoring the warnings everybody there was saying. She brought James in, she'll kick him out. Whether or not it was what the group decided, that's what Carol wanted to do...She shook her head, it's that kind of thought process that got her into this mess. They enter the building, meeting up with the rest of the group. As soon as Daryl and Carol were in eyesight, the group locked onto them, some smirking and whispering I-told-you-so's, others just look relieved. Rick was the first to actually say something to them, walking half-paced towards Carol.

"Carol, I ain't gonna say I was right and you were wrong. But James can't stay here, he's with the Governor. Last time we met up with that asshole...well, it was bad for all of us," Rick gave a quick pat on Carol's right shoulder, just below Daryl's hand before continuing, "Now James is with Hershel, they're taking care of that little girl. Didn't make it, so they're taking her out and burying her. When he comes back, we'll all be with you, but you need to tell him."

Carol nodded in agreement. She felt a little more at ease, she liked the new Rick. Carol felt the familiar sense of stability and family, as when she was allowed to deal with Ed before he turned. It would be hard, she couldn't believe a friend she knew long ago would do this to her...There was Carol's problem, she knew James, from long ago. Before the world turned to hell, Carol was quiet, kept away from people, and unable to defend herself. Now, someone thinks of hurting her and her family, she doesn't think twice to put a knife in their head, or knocking them out. Carol knew Rick, Michonne, Maggie, Glenn, Beth, Carl, Hershel, and Daryl. They were her friends and family, the people that hold her together and keep her from losing sanity. She cherished the friendship her and James once had, but she loved her family that she has now. And she'd do anything to protect them.

Anything.

But she never imagined how hard it'd be when she saw James and Hershel coming in from another entrance, that happy-go-lucky face that James always had. Daryl looked down at Carol, seeing her smiling face turn to worry and doubt. He gave her a squeeze on her arm, her attention turning to him as he gave her a kiss on the head.

You can do this, I know you can, Daryl mouthed to Carol, her nodding in understanding as she stepped out of Daryl's gentle hold.

"James! Come here, I need to talk to you!" She hollered. James looked towards Carol, waving to Hershel as he and Carol walk towards the sleeping tents. Daryl had a terrible feeling form in the pit of his stomach, he knew something wasn't right. Rick startled Daryl out of his daydream with a pat on his back.

"Jeez, Rick, ain't you ever been taught not to sneak up on a man like that?" Daryl spit the words out, almost in a hushed tone as he was attempting to hear the conversation between James and Carol. She must've just told him that he saw the meeting, judging from the glare James had snuck in before turning back to argue with Carol.
"Sorry, Daryl. Just wanted to make sure you and Carol were okay, but I think we can all see that it is."

Daryl cocked his head to see Rick smirking at him, shaking his head in disbelief

"Don't think too much, ain't nothing happening, yet, with us." Daryl said, his eyes trained on Carol. He could see the tears flowing from Carol's face, James looking more desperate and angry by the moment.
"Yet?" Rick couldn't contain the grin as he asked. He's almost as bad as Maggie, when it came to talking about Daryl and Carol getting together, "So you want something more?"

Daryl rolled his eyes at Rick, not caring if he witnessed it, "Of course, I do. Have since the day Asshole and her showed around."
"Do something then, before another man sweeps her off her feet."

Daryl nodded in agreement. Only a second or two of silence enveloped the two men, before the sound of fists hitting flesh thumped through the building. The attention of everyone, including Hershel who had begun to hobble back to the makeshift medical area, turned towards Carol and James. Carol's face flashed between arms flying, but it was easy enough to see the black eye and bloody nose and lip.

James and her had started a fist fight, and Daryl was determined to end it.

The group started running towards the two fighters, Rick shouting at Glenn to grab James, and Daryl to pull Carol away. Glenn instantly had his arms locked around James', forcing his arms straight up. Daryl, surprised as he was, found it difficult to pry Carol away from him. His arms struggled to remain around Carol's petite waist, her whole body convulsing in anger as she attempted, numerous times, to lunge towards James. Rick and Glenn both had James restrained, carrying his battered body as far from Carol as space allowed.

"Let me go, Daryl. That son of a bitch killed an innocent child, and now he wants to kill MY family! I'll be damned if he takes another breath while I'm around!"
"Come on, Carol, we're gonna go cool off!"

Daryl found it increasingly difficult to keep ahold of Carol. He knew full well that Carol'd probably kill the guy for...whatever he threatened to her.

"Get off of me!" Carol reared her head back, slamming into Daryl's nose. He cursed under his breath, his patience worn out as he scooped Carol, and threw her over his shoulder. One way or another, he had to get her away to settle her nerves. He walked through a doorway, down the same hall they treaded when they first arrived. All the while, Carol was pounding her fists on his back, and her legs flailed everywhere. It was only 5 or 10 minutes when Carol, through her many shouts and hits, was finally set down on her feet. Daryl lowered her gently on her feet, to be rewarded with a punch to his shoulder.

"Damn, woman, that hurt!" He yelped, massaging his right shoulder light as Carol started pacing back and forth, her hands balling and relaxing.

"Shouldn't have carried me away. Should've just let me kill the bastard. I would've done it." Carol hurried the words out, her voice stinging with an emotion greater than most people could fathom. Daryl had never seen her this upset with anybody, not even with him.

"What'd he say to you, before you wailed into him?" Daryl inquired. He's concerned, but also curious, as to what James could've said to throw Carol over the emotional edge, and start punching the shit out of him. When Carol remained silent, only her boots thumping loudly on the concrete floor making any noise, Daryl asked again more urgently. "Carol," he grabs her gently on either side, forcing her to face him head on. Carol settled down slightly, seeing the worried Daryl staring intently back, "What did James say to you?"

"You're not gonna like it, Daryl."
"I don't care if I like it. It got ya so riled up, you were actually kickin' ass!"

Carol pursed her lips together, debating whether or not to tell him. Daryl dropped his hands from Carol's arms, his own wrapping behind her, shielding her in a protective shell. He could immediately tell the difference, as he felt her relax into him. He loved holding her like this. No awkward stares, no talking. Just a man holding the woman he loves.

"I'm sorry, Carol. If you don't want to tell me.."
"He said we were gonna pay for what we did."

Daryl stopped dead in his tracks, his whole body stiffens. "Do what? Pay for what, what'd we do?"

Carol didn't want to continue talking, she knew Daryl Dixon, and heard the many stories of his rage getting the better of him. But she knew his imagination would run rampant. Carol took a deep breath, looking into Daryl's eyes before continuing.

"The Governor wants us dead for when we retaliated, and went into Woodbury to come for you and Merle. James claims we killed his wife and daughter, and he was helping The Governor get information on us, what we still had and how well he thinks we can hold up against an attack, which, as we all know, it ain't that good of a chance for us. Then he started going on about how he was gonna join up with them, and give everyone the same chance we gave his family."

"Okay, Carol, but how did that make you fly off the han-"
"HE WAS GOING TO KILL YOU!"

The air grew still, Daryl's ears still rang with those words. Carol flew off the handle...because James threatened to kill him? Daryl could feel her body shake as she started to sob. Daryl tried to stiffle a laughter, but he ended up bellowing a laughter. Carol looked up at with, her eyes still filled with tears, as she stared in confusion.

"I'm sorry, are death threats amusing to you, now?"

Daryl was still laughing hysterically, which seemed to confuse Carol less, and piss her off even more. It wasn't until Carol landed a punch in the chest, before Daryl could compose himself.

"I'm sorry, Carol, it's too funny."

"And what is about a guy threatening to kill you, makes it funny?"

"You beat the shit out of him for it!," Carol loved hearing Daryl laugh, especially when it came from deep within. But at this moment, it was only irking her, "It's funny, that you were actually worried he could hurt me."

"Well, I didn't think he could be so horrible, but I was proven wrong.

"Carol, I can't even count how many threats I'd get from husbands and boyfriends, and I'm still here, laughin' and livin'."

"Yeah, and pissing me off!"

Carol went to swing in for another punch, but Daryl caught her off-balance. In what seemed like one, endless motion, as Carol came swinging with her left fist, Daryl had grabbed her fist in his hand, spinning around so her arm was pinned behind her back. Carol was bewildered momentarily, turning her head upwards to look back at Daryl. Daryl still held her arm behind her, relaxing his grip so he didn't injure her. She let her arm fall to her side, but kept her back press against him. Daryl kept his face pressed against the side of Carol's, his warm breath even with her's. She could feel her skin tingle lightly, as Daryl ran his hands up and down her arms. After tracing her arms a few times, Daryl found his hands running across Carol's stomach, feeling her breathing increase as his hands changed position. Neither spoke, the only words said was done with the stare they shared together. The world dissolved around them, only thing they noticed was each other. Carol's arm lifted up slightly, her hand caressing Daryl's cheek, pushing against it so his face was directly facing her's, only an inch apart.

One breath.

Another breath, their lips half of an inch away from touching.

Another breath.

And another.

Like a wave crashing against the rocks, Carol pushed her lips against his. Daryl's eyes widened in a momentary shock, but they quickly shut as he pressed against her. Heat began to flush between the two, passion intensifying as they pull each other closer. What seemed like an eternity, was only a mere 2 minutes before they pulled each other apart, both heavily breathing and smiling. Carol almost couldn't believe the moment that had passed, but the Dixon man in front of her, gasping for air as he held onto her tightly proved, it was real.

It was real. It was the beacon of light, a beacon of hope, in this dark hell that resided on Earth.

The world would soon grow dimmer...

***50 miles north, in the ruins of Woodbury***

"Sir, we're ready to roll out on your orders!"

A woman, military from her posture and how she spoke, saluted to a man in black clothing, and one eye. The Governor nods, dismissing her with a small wave of his hand, like a king dismissing his servants. He jumped down from the top of the tank, walking the line of vehicles that survived the last attack from the Atlanta group. A number of people, not more than 20, all approached the front of the jeeps and cargo trucks, holding M4 and AK-47 rifles across their chest.

"Are you ready to finally have revenge, against those who sought to destroy our homes, our lives?" He spoke, a certain chill laced his words as The Governor crossed his hands behind him, as a General would when addressing his soldiers. Various shouts of agreement seemed to please Phillip as he continued.

"Those people from the prison, they were jealous. They were envious that you had a good life in this shitty existence. They didn't want to live like vermin, so they came to us. They attacked us, and killed our loved ones!"

The crowd jeers, some shaking their rifles in the air. The Governor climbed on top of a Jeep's hood, facing the people he'd lead into a bloody battle.

"They know we're weakened, but they're weaker! Now is our chance, to wipe out and avenge the deaths of your friends and family! Question is," Phillip pauses, pointing his finger and sweeping it in front of him, "Are you willing to do anything, to avenge those that just wanted to live a peaceful life? Are you willing to kill them mercilessly, as they have done so?!"

The crowd erupts into cheers and jeers, everyone running into vehicles as engines turned over and roared to life. The Governor glares from his one eye, an evil smirk twisted his lips.

"I'm coming for you," he whispers to himself, "I will make you suffer for what you've done."

Lol, I know a lot of people will be happy with what's happened. Sorry about the length, wasn't expecting it to be over 3,000 words, XD. Hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you think so far by leaving a review. As always, constructive criticism is welcome, flaming is not. And pardon my grammatical errors, as I know there are plenty. I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up, but I'll get it out as soon as I'm able.