Thanks for all the wonderful comments on the last chapter! I am feeling the love! I'm going to slow things down a little or else the story's going to be over too soon. Here's some sweetness to break up the sex and violence. Hope you all like it!

The Walking Dead does not belong to me but I love those who it does belong to.

Chapter 10

Prison

Around midday, Carol had calmed herself down enough to go back to Daryl's cell. She had panicked over what Merle had said, completely embarrassed. Yet, the more she thought about it, the better she felt. Not that she wouldn't probably blush immediately next time she saw Merle.

When Carol thought about Merle's words, she felt a thrill of excitement run through her. Could Daryl actually be harboring feelings for her? It seemed like too much to ask for. She'd developed feelings for him when he saved her life from the walkers overrunning the farm. Oh, who is she kidding?! She fell in love with him the day he was dragged in from the woods, injured while searching for her little girl.

It was true that they'd gotten close since then. Probably as close as he was with Rick. Carol knew that Daryl looked at Rick almost like a brother, the kind of brother he never had. But there was also a hierarchy there with Rick above Daryl when it came to decisions. With Carol, she was more like his best friend. They joke around, she'd make sure he was eating and he'd defend her against walkers.

But for him to have romantic feelings towards her? She wasn't beautiful or young or tough. Not like Andrea, Lori or Maggie. She was just plain, old Carol. Half the time she still felt like a burden to them, even though she had learned a lot of skills over the winter. Of course, Andrea was gone, Lori was dead and Maggie was taken. Maybe she was just the only one left.

She had heard for so many years from her dead husband how ugly and stupid she was, it was hard to think any other way. How could a man like Daryl possibly have feelings for her?

As she neared the cell, she steeled herself for whatever might be in there. However, all she found was Beth, cradling and cooing to Judith. Carol felt a little bad. She had been spending so much time by Daryl's bedside, she hadn't spent hardly any time with the baby. Most of it had fallen to Beth and Carl.

"Hi," Beth greeted her.

"Hi. How's the lil asskicker doing?" she asked as she took Judith in her arms.

Beth smiled. "That lil asskicker is doing great. I'm more worried about the big asskicker over here," she nodded towards Daryl.

"Well, I'm hopeful. They are supposed to get back from the run by tonight with medicine and fluids for him. Plus, he did actually talk in his sleep last night. That's a really good sign," Carol said as she rocked the baby.

Beth's eyes lowered to the floor, not looking at her.

"Oh my god! You heard what he said, didn't you!" Carol said, exasperated.

"Well, Carl overheard Merle and Herschel talking about it last night. Then he told me. He tells me everything, you know." Beth looked back up at her. "You shouldn't worry about it too much though. It's not like we all don't know that Daryl has a thing for you."

Carol just stared at her. It was one thing for Merle to say it but it seemed more significant coming from Beth.

Beth got up and took Judith from her. "I've got to change her diaper. You should take care of him."

Carol sat down in the chair, alone with Daryl now. She laid her head on his chest. His heart beat steadily, his breathing rhythmic. She wished she knew what was going on in his head.

Daryl

Daryl ended up staying the night at Carol's place after all the excitement settled down. He knew that he'd never be able to sleep at his place, even with Ed in custody at least through the night. They didn't do anything, just laid in Carol's bed with her in his arms until they fell asleep. It was comforting.

The next morning there was silent agreement between the two of them that Daryl would be staying. They debated briefly about going to Daryl's place but it was decided that because of close distance to Sophia's school, they would stay at the apartment. If there was any hint of a problem, they'd move to Daryl's.

Daryl watched Carol get dressed for work. He understood that she could not call out sick on her second day, especially when special computer training had already been arranged. She looked good, dressed all professionally. There was no bruising on her cheek from the slap and her split lip wasn't overly noticeable.

It was decided, mostly by Daryl and with approval from Carol, that he and Sophia get to take a mental health day. Sophia had no tests or outstanding homework and it was Friday. Daryl had only once taken a sick day from his job and that was when Merle had ended up in the hospital after getting his ass beat in a bar fight. Although, he had a feeling based on the laughing in the background that the guys didn't believe he was sick.

He gently kissed Carol good-bye, making sure not to put much pressure on her injured lip. They waved to each other as she pulled out of the parking lot. Then Daryl headed into Sophia's room, finding her stretched out across the bed, face buried in her pillow.

"Wake up," he said, nudging her leg.

Sophia groaned. "Do I have to go to school today? Last night was way to intense."

"Yur right, no school today," Daryl agreed.

Sophia sat up, looking at Daryl hopefully. "Really?"

"Yep. I got something way better than school planned for us. So you better get yur ass up and out of bed if you don't want to miss out," he smirked at her.

She was up in a flash, pushing him out the door. "Be out in 10!"

Once she was dressed and Daryl got her to eat some cereal, they headed out in Daryl's truck.

"Where we going?" Sophia inquired.

"Go-karting."

"Yeah? Never done that before."

"Not with your friends?" Daryl had been go-karting with Merle when he was a kid, although he later found out Merle's drug dealer worked there. Luckily, the place had been sold and cleaned out years ago.

Sophia frowned. "You mean my one friend, Carl." Daryl was silent, waiting for her to continue. She did. "No one else wants to be my friend. They all know about my dad. Some of the real jerks make fun of me but the others all look at me like I am a freak. I hate that. When I first met Carl, I am pretty sure he was only friends with me because his parents felt sorry for me. They know about my dad because Carl's dad is a police officer."

"Trust me, that kid ain't friends with you just because his parents told him too," Daryl told her, remembering the look on Carl's face when he was talking with Sophia.

"Oh, I know. Carl is my best friend. He's better than all those other jerks combined. But his parents don't let us go anywhere except his house, which is usually cool." Sophia stopped, thinking before speaking again. "I'm pretty sure Carl's dad said something to my mom, something about leaving my dad years ago. She didn't listen to him. It took that bastard hitting me for her to finally do it. If I'd known that, I would have taken that beating a long time ago."

Daryl shook his head. "Nah, your mom wouldna wanted that for you."

"I know. But at least she's standing up for herself for the first time. It makes me happy to see her strong, not so weak and cowering to him. I'm glad you're with her too. I think you make her stronger." Sophia smiled at him and he smiled back.

The pulled up into the parking lot of the activity center. There was mini-golf, batting cages, and an arcade. However, they were there for the go-karts. Together they walked up to the counter. When the stout black man at the counter turned around to help them, Daryl got hit with the feeling of déjà vu again. The man's name tag read "T-Dog". He didn't know why but seeing this man made him feel sad. He pushed those feelings back as he paid for their tickets. T-Dog gave no indication that he knew Daryl at all.

Go-karting was a blast! They were racing around the track with two college students who had scheduled all their classes in the afternoon and one business man who took long lunches just to enjoy the thrill of the speed. Sophia, getting to ride her own go-kart, hooted and hollered every time she went past someone and booed when someone pasted her. She won three out of the five races. While Daryl admitted to letting her win the first one, the other two were from her sheer determination.

After fully satisfying their speed demons, Daryl bought them hot dogs and soft pretzels at the snack bar. As they got back in the car, Daryl told her that he needed to pick up some clothes and things from his place. When they got there, he tried very hard to get her to stay in the car but she was not having it.

"So this is your house?" she asked as she walked through the front door.

"Yeah, I know. It's a piece of shit," he grunted.

"No," she disagreed, studying the browning walls, elderly furniture and shag carpeting. "It just needs a little love." Daryl couldn't help but feel like that was how he was before he met them.

"Hey, there's sodas in the fridge and the TV over there gets at least 5 channels. Make yurself comfortable." She nodded and went off to explore his kitchen.

Daryl first went into his bedroom and threw all the clothes he'd need for at least 3 days. Then he went into the bathroom and gathered up all his toiletries. The last stop was in Merle's room.

Whenever Merle either did time or decided to run off to wherever, Daryl would just shut his door and leave his room alone. But Daryl needed something in there now. Checking in all the doors and the top of the closet, Daryl came up empty-handed. It wasn't until he flipped the mattress up that he found what he was looking for.

A 9mm handgun.

As much as he preferred his crossbow, it was too ungainly for the current situation. Plus, he did not want Carol or Sophia to know he had the weapon. Daryl checked and found it was already loaded. Just like Merle to leave a fully loaded gun in his house. He buried the gun deep under his clothes in the bag.

When he got back to the living room, he was surprised not to find Sophia watching TV on the sofa. He heard sounds coming from the kitchen and moved that way.

"What are ya doin'?" he asked, seeing half her body in his lower cabinet. She squeaked and pulled herself out. Her hair was all messed up and he thought it looked cute.

"You've got no pots or pans," she complained.

"I don't really cook much. I got a grill out back when I hunt and I love my microwave. Why?" He looked at her suspiciously.

"I think we should cook my mom dinner. She needs a reward for going to work after last night and not getting to have fun with us today. However, the pots and pans at our apartment are so gross and you don't even have any cookware." She looked disappointed.

"We could buy some," he offered.

"I don't think it would be nice of me to ask that. Not after you already bought me a bunch of stuff today," she said.

"Naw, that stuff today was all for you. This would be for your mom. I think we should do it."

"What can you cook?" she asked.

He frowned, thinking. "Eggs?"

"That's more of a breakfast food. What else?" she pushed him.

"Squirrel," he stated matter-of-factly.

Sophia made a face. "Maybe next time. I did watch Carl's mother make spaghetti and meat sauce once. Didn't look too hard. What do you think?"

"Mmm, mmm," he hummed, licking his lips.

They stopped at a mega-Target that between his place and the apartment. They found some decent cookware that wasn't too expensive. On the way over to the food section, Sophia's attention was caught by the jewelry counter.

"Oh, shiny!" she squealed, looking at the rows of charms.

Daryl stepped up next to her, absent-mindedly looking at the next case over. It was filled with diamond engagement rings. As he really started looking at them, he could not believe how many different kinds there were. So many shapes, styles and even band colors. He was mesmerized as he stared at them.

"Looking at rings?" Sophia teased him.

"No," he said reflexively, taking a step back. "Let go get the food."

Sophia didn't move, gazing at the different rings. "I think she's really like this one."

Before he realized what he was doing, he stepped back up next to her. "Which one?"

She pointed at one near the back. "That one, with the round diamond in the center and the two little diamonds next to it. The one with the white gold band."

Daryl saw it, could even see it sparkling prettily on Carol's finger. Then he came to his senses and stepped back again. "I ain't lookin' at rings. Let's go," he said more forcefully.

Sophia just giggled at him. "Whatever you say!"