It was day of the part and Carol was excited, she hadn't seen Daryl since the shop. She kept thinking about the stuff he said and how he acted. She was the one who was supposed to get him to the party. She laughed to herself when she thought about his reaction to Norm telling her to get him there.
Daryl turned and glared at the men, Carol spoke before he even got a chance, "Yeah I can do that."
All three men smiled broadly and smugly at Daryl, he just groaned and looked at Carol. Once again she couldn't tell what he was thinking with the look he was giving her. Daryl shook his head and walked away mumbling to himself and flipping the laughing men the bird.
"Better go after him there Carol, before he starts plotting his escape for that day." Merle said nodding to where Daryl was putting his stuff away.
"Yeah you can bet your ass he's already working out a way to not be there." Norm chuckled, boy was good at that shit.
Carol nodded to them, "Alright, what are you all doing?" she asked noticing them heading for the door.
They all turned and looked at her, all nodding to the clock. It was 5:20. Merle was the first to speak, "I got somewhere to be…" he gave a wolfish grin.
Norm spoke up, "Daryl is always the last one out."
Dean just hugged her and kissed her forehead, "Don't let him tell you no girl, if you have to show up anyways and drag his ass out."
She watched them walk out of the shop before she turned to Daryl. He wasn't paying her any attention, she was pretty sure he thought she was gone too. She made her way towards him walking as quietly as she could.
"If you're trying to be sneaky Carol, it aint workin for ya." Daryl spoke in a low voice.
Carol laughed and shrugged when he turned to look at her. "Are you going to be difficult about this?"
Daryl snorted and moved past her checking to make sure everything was off and shutting doors. "Carol, I'm a man aint I?"
Carol was following him, "Well yeah, I would hope so…if not then I'm seriously confused." she intentionally ran her eyes the length of his body. She started laughing at the look on his face.
Daryl turned to fully face her and crossed his arms over his chest, "Ya know, Dean thinks your so sweet. He's always in here going on about what a sweet young woman you are. But I gotta say Carol Ann" Daryl stepped towards her pronouncing each syllable of her name, "I aint quite buying that. And yes, I'm man so you're damn right I'ma be difficult. It's our nature."
Carol gave a loud hooting snort, she slapped her hand over her mouth to stop the sound. Her face flushed red and Daryl gave a bark of a laugh. He went to move past her when she grabbed his bicep, "Daryl, go please. I don't know who will be there and I wont have anyone to talk to you if you don't go." she gave him big doe eyes and her full pouty smile. It worked on her dad, she was hoping it would work on him.
Daryl looked at her when she grabbed his arm but he stopped. She noticed he didn't flinch like he did when others got close or touched him. She gave an inward cheer to herself.
Daryl sighed to himself, what was he supposed to say when was looking at him like that? "Carol parties aren't exactly my thing. It's why I don't go. Don't like crowds." He pulled his arm from her grip without trying to look like an asshole, he moved around the shop shutting the doors.
"We'll see Dixon." Carol chirped as she walked out the door he was holding open for her.
Daryl just shook his head and smirked at her.
Carol wasn't sure what she got herself into with agreeing to get Daryl to the party. But she was willing to try. She kind of wish she had asked who all was going to be there, she was getting nervous about it all. She wasn't really use to being around a lot of people, even people she knew. It put her on edge, all her time with Ed had instilled in her to avoid stuff like this. To not put herself out there and be quiet. Men in general scared her and made her nervous, and this was a party. She was being realistic she knew they would be drinking, and when people drank they done stupid stuff. They got loud, she wanted Daryl to go cause he seemed to always be the calm even around his own family, it'd give her a reason to spend time with him.
Carol had plans to make some stuff to take to the party, she just needed to stop at the story to get it before making her way to Daryl's. Norm had informed her that Daryl would likely take off today before the party started and would likely show back up at his house late that night. She was determined to get there before he could do this, she hadn't really thought out the whole plan but it was happening. She knew it didn't start until around 5 pm, so she had a lot of time. But not necessarily where Daryl was concerned.
Carol was pulling into Daryl's driveway and smiled when she seen his truck and bike still setting there. Maybe he hadn't escaped yet, she chuckled. She grabbed a few of the bags she had. Hopefully he didn't get to mad about this, but she didn't trust that he wouldn't take off on her.
Carol knocked on the door and waited awhile, she didn't hear any movement. She was starting to think he wasn't home when the door was thrust open. Carol took a moment to look at him. He was standing in a pair of faded jeans with the belt threaded in the loops but hanging open along with the top button of his pants, his shirt was partly buttoned. His hair was damp and sticking up in all different directions and he had a cigarette in the corner of his mouth just so, the man had never looked better. He had one arm braced against the frame and his other hand hooked pants.
She knew she was blushing but couldn't stop looking at him, she didn't think she ever could. She wanted this man, in every sense of the word. It wasn't just about his looks either. Daryl was a sweetheart once you got past those walls, but she seen him and knew he was.
When her eyes finally connected with his she blushed even brighter. He clearly seen her ogling him, he just quirked a brow at her. "What're you doin Carol?"
Clearing her throat, "What do you think?" she muttered, she was having trouble talking to him right this second. Her voice came out scratchy. She coughed trying to clear her throat again.
"Need something to drink?" Daryl smirked around the cigarette at the corner of his mouth.
Carol blushed again, "In a second, first I need your help with some stuff in my car." She started down the driveway, she couldn't hear him behind her but she knew he was. She swallowed.
"What's all this shit?" Daryl asked confused all the while accepting the bags she was handing him.
"I knew you were going to take off today, and I had stuff to make for the party. You can either help or be my guinea pig. But either way, you aren't escaping and leaving me alone there." Her voice held more authority then she felt she had right the second…her mind was still taking him in.
Daryl just looked at her curiously for a few minutes, she was handing him more bags to pack in. "What exactly am I going to be a guinea pig for?"
"Everything I make. Hope you got a big appetite." she was already making her way back towards his house.
Daryl nodded at her and started following her up the path, he was watching the sway of her hips and ass. It looked like she was moving to her own personal music. He looked up about the time she looked over her shoulder, he just gave her a sly grin. If she could come to his house and boss him around, then by damn he could look at her ass all he wanted. Besides, what did she expect with when she had that on.
Daryl was setting at his coffee table watching Carol moved around his kitchen, he wasn't sure what to make of her. He'd never had anyone come into his life and act like she was. Not even Norm tried this shit with him, and that man pushed him all the time. She acted like it was the most normal thing to show up at someone's house at ten in the morning and start cooking. Any other time he would be pissed as hell, likely would have told them to go fuck themselves. But this was Carol, and he couldn't find it in himself to do her that way. Fuck, he couldn't even give her a direct no at the shop no matter how he wanted to.
He was intent on watching her ass and wasn't paying attention to what she was saying.
"Did you hear me Daryl?" Carol looked at him. He clearly wasn't paying a bit attention to what she was saying, his eyes were running all over her. They held a certain predatory gleam that made her feel hot all over.
"Nah, what did you say?" He looked up at her giving her a sly grin.
"I said your kitchen has to be the cleanest I've ever seen for a man. Do you even come in here, ever?"
"Coffee." he chuckled looking around, it really was. "Don't ever cook really, use the microwave and coffee pot is about it. Eat out mostly or when Norm drags my ass to his house."
"You have all this stuff and don't use it?" Daryls kitch was huge, it had everything someone who loves to cook would want and the man clearly didn't use a bit of it. A lot of the stuff still had the stickers on it.
He just shrugged at her. "Don't much feel like getting food poisoning. First time this kitchen has actually been cooked in is by you woman."
Carol smiled and shook her head. "Get over here and tell me if this needs more pepper."
Carol spent the next 3 hours cooking and making him try everything she was making. She really liked his house, it was comfortable and warm, which was surprising. Most single men's houses were a disaster area. Her dads surely was.
One thing was for sure, Ed would never have set with her while she cooked. Ed would have only entered the kitchen to berate her. Daryl though, he had set in there with her. He was mostly quiet, listening to her chatter on. But he was laughing and smiling, as much as you could say Daryl smiled, along with her. He added bits and pieces to the conversation here and there. He even helped her when she asked him, he didn't complain he just simply nodded and done what she asked. She was pretty sure he was going to be full by the time they got to the party, aside from what she was getting him to try. She had to keep swatting him away from the stuff that was already done.
Daryl was more relaxed then she had seen him yet. She really was shocked he didn't say anything about her just showing up. He didn't seem like the type of man to like surprises, but she couldn't bring herself to regret not calling first. Not after seeing him the way she did when he answered the door. The only differene in his appearance now was the buttoned pants and buckled belt. his shirt was still partly undone, she wasn't complaining though.
"I didn't make you mad did I?" she asked sheepishly.
"Why would I be mad?" he asked leaning against the counter and crossing his legs over each other at the ankles. He was looking at her weird, "I think you might the first woman to be in my house, let alone cook in it." he laughed.
That shocked her and she was sure it registered on her face. "I find that hard to believe." she said skeptically. The thought, as unlikely as it was, still made warmth rush through her body.
Daryl was looking at her still, "Why is that so hard to believe?"
"You're twenty seven years old and no woman has been here? Not likely." she snorted.
"For your information Carol Ann, I'm not much for people in my personal space. So no, you're the first." he quirked a brow at her, "Stop avoiding my question, why would I be mad at you?"
"I just showed up and kind of took over your house." she turned and started stirring a pot, "You even just said you don't like people in your space."
"To answer you're question, no I'm not mad at you." Carol looked over at him trying to see if he was being sincere. "Though if you make me eat anything else, I'm not sure I'll be awake much longer."
Carol started laughing, "Yeah, well I'm about done. Don't worry. Though, it's only twelve, the party isn't till five."
Daryl just grunted.. He was still going to try to get out of going to the party, but he didn't think Carol was going to let him. He was pretty sure if she gave him that big does eyed innocent look his resolve was going to crumble. Maybe he could avoid just looking at her altogether. He snorted out loud at the thought. Yeah right.
Carol was done cooking and set down at the table with him. She had been cooking for almost four hours, having the smell all the food was making her hungry enough she was sure she could eat a horse. She could only imagine how he felt. Carol blew out a breath and slumped in her chair. It felt good to get to set down for awhile and just take a breath. She looked over at Daryl and gave him a smile. He just chuckled at her.
Daryl gestured to his counters covered in food and his refrigerator, "You're the one who wanted to cook all this."
She just smiled and nodded. He was right, she had wanted to cook all of it this. "Well, it just so happens I love to cook so. Besides I don't think I can take all this anyways. You're gonna have to keep some here."
Daryl got up and stretched, "I'll be right back." he moved out of the room.
Carol set there for awhile looking around, she still couldn't believe she was the only girl that he had here. The thought made her smile again. She was dazing out when the phone started ringing.
She heard a muffled grunt right before Daryl's voice rang out, "Carol answer that for me." his voice was followed my a dull thud.
Moving towards his phone, "Hello"
"Who the fuck is this?" a male voice barked out at her.
"Excuse me? Is this Merle?"
"Oh shit Carol is that you? Damn I'm sorry, is my brother around?"
"Yeah, Just a minute."
Carol stepped into the hallway Daryl took off down, she seen the door at the end of the hall setting open. She walked down there, stepping through the door she got a good view of Daryl. He was in the process of changing shirts. From all indications that his shirt alluded to, he was taut and lean.
Knocking on the door, he looked up at her while buttoning the shirt the rest of the way.
"It's Merle."
"Ask what he needs?" he set on his bed jerking on his boots.
Carol was watching him, "Merle you still there?"
"I didn't call for nothing." Merle barked.
"Don't snap at me Merle Dixon. He wants to know what you want." Carol snapped back.
Carol was still watching Daryl when she had snapped at Merle. He looked up with a cocked eyebrow, he gave her grin. He was watching her with an amused expression while leaning back on his bed. She had to avert her eyes from him.
"Damn, Ca-" she heard a sound like slap and a female voice in the background. "I'm sorry Carol. Ask him if he'll pick me up."
Looking back over to Daryl, he was looking at her with an amused expression still. He was standing now gathering his stuff and walking towards her. He nodded his head down the hall. "He wants to know if you'll pick him up."
"Yeah tell his ass I'll be there." Daryl shook his head moving down the hall.
"He said he'll be there."
"Alright sugar."
Merle disconnected before she could say anything else. She didn't know where Daryl disappeared to in the house so she moved back towards the living room. She wasn't sure what she should do, he clearly had to go get his brother. She didn't know if she needed to leave or wait on him or what.
Daryl moved back into the living room, he picked up his keys and looked at her. "Anything in there that can't be left until later?"
"No, it's all done."
He jerked his head towards the door. "Let's go."
Carol wasn't sure how he knew where to get Merle, he hadn't said where to pick him up. She guessed this was a normal occurrence.
It was already hot outside and Carol was enjoying feeling the wind pull through her hair. She was surrounded by the smell that was all Daryl and summer. She loved it. She was enjoying watching him drive. The man, made everything look sexy. Watching him shift gears while the wind was ruffling his hair was making Carol glad it was hot outside, so she could explain away the flush on here cheeks.
"Where we going"
"Get Merles ass, or was I mistaken on what that call was about." Daryl barked with no true bite to it.
"No, no he said come get him he just didn't say where."
Daryl chuckled, "I reckon his ass is where he always ends up. He's over at Stacey's." Daryl leaned up cutting on the radio. "Don't see why those two aint living together. I can't remember the last time he actually slept at his house without her. Vice versa." he was gesturing with his free hand.
Carol just smiled and started humming along with his music. She was really having a good day.
Pulling up Daryl, cut the engine and looked in his back seat and sighed. "Fuck"
"What's the matter?" Carol asked worriedly.
"I didn't' get this shit out of my backseat and my truck bed is got grease and I don't even know what else in it right now."
Carol hummed, "I can set in the middle."
Daryl looked at her, "You're gonna have to, sure as fuck aint letting Merles weird ass."
Carol laughed at the thought of Merle setting in the middle, that would look all kinds of funny.
"It aint happening Carol, your setting your ass in the middle." He gave her smirk, "Unless you wanna ride in the back that is."
"Mhmmm Dixon. I hear ya."
Daryl got out of the truck and started moving towards the door with Carol right behind him.
The door swung open and Merle looked at the two. "Bout fuckin' time baby brother! Ya'll stop off to fu-" a slap connected with the back of Merles head and he shot a glare over his shoulder. "That's the third time, now quit fuckin slappin me woman! I fuckin' mean it." he snapped out.
Stacey materialized and the look she was pinning him with made Carol hope to never be on the receiving end. "Then stop being a dumbass and I wont have to slap you." Stacey looked over at Daryl and Carol at the door. Daryl was trying to hold back a laugh and Carol didn't know what to do, "Baby Dixon and Carol, it's good to see you to! Come in! Move out of the way Merle before I move you myself."
Daryl walked by his brother chuckling and got a slap to the back of the head from the man, Carol slapped Merle in the chest. "What the fuck Carol?"
"Don't hit him cause you got in trouble." Carol smiled sweetly moving past him following Daryl.
"Merle Dixon, did you hit your brother?" Stacey asked with her hip cocked out to the side. Looking for all the world like she was about to pummel the man.
Merle just looked at her wide eyed, he shifted his eyes to Carol and Daryl. Both of them had shit eating grins on their faces and were trying to suppress laughter. She was not about to make him look like a pussy in front of his brother.
Merle just growled at her and shut the door. Stacey was always jumping his ass over Daryl now it looked like Carol was too. Little Carol Ann actually hit him, she had changed quite a bit from the mouse Dean said she acted like around Ed.
Merle looked over at Carol she was setting by Daryl, laughing and talking to Stacey. Daryl was leaning up with his elbows on his knees. He wondered if Carol had talked Daryl into going to the party. It wasn't till five, she was at his house pretty damn early to just be getting him to the party.
"Carol you talk this jackass into going to the party yet?" Merle questioned watching his brother.
Daryl didn't look up, but he heard him growl and he was mumbling something to where Merle couldn't hear him. Merle was trying to hear what he was saying when Carol whipped around and glared at Daryl. He couldn't see his brothers face, but he could see Carols and she looked mad.
Carol elbowed Daryl in the ribs silencing his mumbling and looked over at Merle and smiled, "Yeah I did."
Merle actually thought Daryl was going to tell her to go fuck herself when it came to the party. It was curious that he conceded so fast. "That easy huh, aint you got no fight in you boy?"
Daryl look up and leveled Merle with a glare. "Shut the fuck up jackass, get ya shit and lets go. I got stuff I want to do today." Daryl snarled.
Merle chuckled and started down the hallway to get his stuff. Baby brother definitely wasn't in the mood to bullshit.
Merle slid in the truck behind Carol, she had a damn nice ass. Girl was a looker for sure. He clearly wasn't as comfortable with him as she was with Daryl. The girl was right up against him any closer and she would be in his lap. Dean had mentioned that she wasn't comfortable around men after Ed. That Daryl was about the only man he'd seen her be comfortable around in long while. Him included.
"Where you going Merle?"
"I left the bike at Whiskey Heat. Just drop me there."
Merle was baffled as to how Carol was comfortable around Daryl. Daryl was fidgety and had a hell of a temper. He was an asshole ninety percent of the time and was terrible at talking to women, but to each his own. All Daryl's fidgeting put him on edge and he wasn't sure how it didn't Carol. But fuck she seemed as equally as quiet right now. Damn if they didn't make a pair.
"So you're going to have your ass there Daryl?"
Daryl looked over at Merle, he hardly ever used his name. "We'll see."
Carol whipped her head around and was staring at him, "Yes Merle, he'll be there."
"I heard ya say that, but I aint heard it from my brother sugar. No offense but he aint got no reason to be listening to your ass." Merle chuckled.
Carol just hummed her response to him.
Merle chuckled at her. Girl had fire, it was gonna take it to put up with his brother and all his fucking issues. He couldn't believe Daryl hadn't snapped at her yet. That was what the second or third time she had done him like that.
Daryl just grunted at her, shooting her a glare.
Merle had a feeling it wasn't going to be as quiet when he dropped him off. There was something going on there, the tension between the two was thick. It was making him uncomfortable just being there. Not to say it was anything like what she had with Ed. But all the same, he didn't much want to be around if his brother decided to bend her over a barrel.
When Merle climbed out of the vehicle Daryl turned and looked at her. Without giving her a chance to move he shifted gears and was already pulling out of the parking lot. He had ahold of the gear shifter and it had her pinned in her seat.
If she wanted to boss his ass around, then by damn he'd make a trip of it.
"You got your keys on you?" Daryl asked impassively.
"Of course." Carol cautioned.
"Good."
The drive to her house was quiet. Carol didn't know what was going on, but like he told her the other day just set back and enjoy the ride. And she was, she was still pressed up against him in the cab of the truck. When he would move or shift his position she could feel the muscles move and bunch.
When they pulled up to her house Carol looked at him questioningly. She wasn't sure what they were doing here right now.
"Go put you some jeans on and get some boots on. Something you walk in without hurtin' your self." Daryl answered her unasked question.
Carol nodded at him and moved to get out of the truck. "I'll be back in a minute."
Carol rushed into her house moving fast to her bedroom. She was excited, she didn't know what they were doing but she couldn't wait either way.
Entering her room, Carol started rummaging through her clothes. Finding a suitable pair of jeans she pulled them on. She wasn't sure what he meant with boots. That could go either way, but she was hoping she was making the right choice with what she put on.
She went ahead and grabbed her some more clothes and put them in a bag for her to change into for the party.
She was getting flustered. She had spent pretty much all day with him and so far it had been amazing. She was just hoping that he really was going to go to the party. The thought of setting through it without him there, well that just seemed downright horrible.
Lastly Carol went into the bathroom and cleaned herself up some. She knew her hair was probably a mess from being over steaming pots all day and the hot oven. She pulled her hair around and braided it to get it out of the way. Looking herself over in the mirror, it'll do.
Handing Daryl a bottle a water she packed out from him she climbed in the vehicle.
Carol looked down at her boots and then to him, "These boots work?"
Daryl looked down and nodded, "Yeah, reckon they will."
"You gonna tell me where we're going or is that a surprise?"
"If you're dragging my ass to this party then, it's only fair I drag your ass to where I was intending on going today." huffed out.
Carol smiled to herself, at least he said he was going. She really thought when it came time he was going to just tell her no. "Alright. That's fine with me."
"Are you hungry or anything before we take off? Once we get there, wont be able to get anything."
Carol looked at him curiously, "No I'm still full from all the cooking this morning."
Daryl nodded at her. Alright.
Daryl knew she was confused when they pulled back up at his house, he just smiled to himself. If she wanted to follow his ass around all day to get him there then she could try to keep up with him then.
Moving through his house he grabbed his pack and some water bottles. He looked over at Carol and motioned her over to him. "We'll be going in a minute. If you need to use to bathroom or anything. Use the one in my bedroom."
Carol nodded at him and moved off while he was finishing getting ready. He debated on take his crossbow, he wasn't hunting so there was really no point. He decided on his side arm instead. Walking back towards his bedroom, he pulled out the holster and started strapping it in place. Carol came out of the bathroom about the time he was sliding the eagle into place. He smirked at her facial expression.
Still smirking, "You ready Carol."
Carol knew he was teasing her, she just wasn't sure about what. He was giving her a look like there was some inside joke she was missing. "Yup."
He really just wanted to get out in the woods for the sense of calm he was craving. If he was going to be expected to tolerate a large crowd of people then he needed to get his shit together, and the best place for him to do that was in the woods.
This would be the first time he ever took someone up there with him. He usually wanted to be alone and away from people, Carol was different though.
Daryl looked back at her. "You alright back there?"
Carol looked up at him and grinned. "I love hiking, why didn't you just say so." She moved to walk next to him. He moved with a panther like grace through the woods. A lot more graceful then her, her steps were like a gunshot next to his. "Granted I haven't been in years, but…Ed didn't approve of it. Something about my job was to only cook and clean."
Daryl looked at her, he had no pity in his eyes. He just shook his head. "Bastard" she heard him say under his breath.
They had been walking for awhile when they started up a steep incline, Carol wasn't sure she was going to be able to climb it without slipping down. She looked over at Daryl skeptically. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of him, her back was almost touching his chest.
"Walk in front, if you start to slip I can catch you or help you up." Daryl explained.
Carol just nodded, the feel of his rough hand wrapped around her wrist was taking her speech away again. When he dropped it, she immediately mourned the loss of his touch.
"It's just here at the top where we're going."
Daryl was pretty sure it was a mistake to have her climb in front of him. This put her ass right at his face, unless he wanted to be right on top of her as they climbed up. Both thoughts were giving him issues he'd rather not have right this second.
Carol on slipped a few times, and true to his word Daryl caught and steadied her each time. Cresting the top of the hill Carol needed a little help from him, but she made it. When she looked around and took in everything around her she gasped. It was beautiful.
Turning to watch him come over top, "It's beautiful Daryl!" Carol was beaming she grabbed him in a hug. It was quick but she felt him stiffen at the contact. He was getting better, but still she could tell he wasn't use to shows of affection.
Walking further out on the flat, there was so much to take in. She was already in love with this place with in the couple of minutes she was here. She didn't hear Daryl, looking over her shoulder she didn't see him either.
"Over here." came his gravelly smooth voice.
Carol looked over and seen him setting on the ground leaning back on his elbows. He motioned her over to him. Making her way over she wondered how he came up on this place.
"This place is amazing Daryl! How did you find it?" Carols voice was over flowing with enthusiasm, she loved nature and she give anything to have her stuff with her to be able to paint this. Even Daryl relaxed back like he was, he looked like he belonged here.
"My mother brought me here before she passed away." Daryl wasn't looking at her but something in his voice told Carol not to ask anymore on the subject. If he ever wanted to talk she'd listen though, she could do that for him.
"I'm going to have to remember how to get here so I can come back and paint this! All the roses are so beautiful, their smell is so strong."
"Let'me know when you want to come back, and I'll bring you." Daryl supplied.
Carol looked over at him and gave him a broad smile.
They settled back and just enjoyed the silence and the scenery together.
Daryl was watching Carol, she looked completely stunned by this place. He had never even told Merle about this place, it was something that he had always kept to himself. He wasn't sure why he felt comfortable with bringing Carol here, but he wanted to her to see it. She had the same look on her face that his mom would get. That alone made it worth it for him.
Daryl looked up to gauge about what time it was, sighing he looked over at Carol. She looked like she was trying to memorize every detail of the place.
"Come on we gotta get back if you're serious about going to Norms party."
Carol looked up at him reaching for his hand, "You promise to bring me back here?"
Daryl grabbed her hand hauling her, "I will."
Pulling up at Norms Carol a little nervous, there was a lot of people here and she was sure she didn't even know half of them. Swallowing and thinking this might've been a bad idea. She jumped when someone knocked on her window.
"You scared the shit out of me Dixon!"
Daryl laughed, "Not my fault you're unobservant. What am I supposed to be packing?"
Carol gave him what she wanted to him to pack, he took the rest from her. She tried to recapture some of it but he just growled at her. He started moving towards the house. She was about to knock when Daryl just walked straight in. She guessed that was normal for him, it was his grandfather after all.
Carol was looking for anyone she recognized and wasn't seeing anyone yet. She was even more glad she had got him to come, she hadn't even seen her dad and Norm yet. She knew they were here, just not where. People were looking at her though and that was making her feel self-conscious. Did she overdress? Looking down at her clothes she sighed.
"Stop it." Daryl spoke low to her just beside her. "They're looking at you weird cause we came in together." he clarified.
Carol whispered, "Why the hell does that matter? Are you sure I don't have something on me?"
Daryl snorted and looked at her, "I never come to these, and I sure as hell never walk in with a woman. And I've definitely never packed a bunch of damn food in. " He set the food down and grabbed a two beers, handing one to her.
Carol had never really drank before, but she took it anyways. Maybe it would take some of the nerves off. She was really glad she talked him into coming, she would have really been alone. "See Dixon, I would have been alone had you not came."
Daryl took a drink of his beer and hummed at her in the back of his throat. "Well come on then." walking towards the back door.
Carol tried to follow him through the crowd but was having trouble, people weren't moving as easy for her as they were for him. Getting frustrated, "Daryl!" She couldn't see him anymore, she was starting to panic a little.
Daryl suddenly appeared in front of her and grabbed her hand pulling her along behind him. Carol released the breath she had been holding. She felt her panic starting to calm down. Daryl's hand in hers was reassuring presence. Daryl had moved them to the back patio. It was a lot less crowded and calmer. She sighed and sunk into the swing he had took for himself. Looking over at him, he had an amused look on his face again.
"Is it everything you thought it was going to be?" he spoke through a cloud of smoke at her with amusement lacing his voice.
"The nights young, we'll see." she shot back.
"There they are!" Merle crowed from a bit of distance. Carol heard Daryl groan, she looked at him questionable. He just shook his head at her with a scowl on his face.
"Norm and Will were wondering if your ass was going to show or not brother!" Merle said stepping around the banister, "I guess Carol did drag your ass here after all."
"Hey Daryl, Carol." Stacey spoke in a suggestive voice, "What took ya'll so long to get here. I passed ya house, you were home." she was grinning at them.
Daryls face reddened as did Carols. Merle started howling with laughter, pulling the attention of several people around them. "I said damn Ace, you slap the shit out of me for sayin shit to him but damn if you don't come over here doin the same shit."
Stacey wrapped her arm around Merle looking at Daryl, "I'm going in to get something to drink, you look like you could use another baby Dixon. What about you Carol?"
They both just nodded. Stacey leaned over Merle whispering in his ear. Merles face flushed and he looked at her. She gave him a lascivious smile. "I'll be back in a minute, you be thinking on that Merle." she purred.
Daryl quirked an eye brow at Merle looking to the door Stacey disappeared through. Merle just gave him a filthy smile and licked his lips. He cut his eyes to Carol and raised an eyebrow at Daryl. Daryl just narrowed his eyes at him and looked off, damn boy needed to get laid.
"When you gonna let me drive that truck Daryl, damn thing is still new looking."
Daryl gave him a weird look, "Not happening."
Merle snorted, "It was one time Daryl. She cleaned the mess."
"I say again, not happening." Daryl growled.
Carol looked back and forth between the two of them, "What are you talking about?"
Merle looked at Carol, "I borrowed his old truck to move some of Ace's stuff to her new place-"
"They desecrated my truck is what the fuck they done." Daryl barked at Merle.
"You bought a new truck cause your brother, had sex in yours." Carol asked, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.
"Fuck yeah." his voice completely serious.
Carol couldn't hold it anymore she busted out laughing, doubling over. Daryl scowled at her, when Merle joined in. He could already tell this was going to be a long night, resigning himself to it he just took a long pull from his beer.
Stacey walked back up about the time they started howling with laughter, she looked at Daryl then to the other two. "What I miss?"
"Carol knows why Daryl bought a new truck." Merle was talking through fits of laughter.
Stacey looked at Daryl apologetically, "I would say I was sorry, but I'm not." she smiled at him.
"Well there is one thing baby brother about that truck besides it being damn nice." Merle spoke.
Daryl looked at him, not speaking but waiting on him to continue. He shifted his position on the swing. Sipping the beer Stacey brought him.
"Daryl open this, I can't get it." Carol said handing him her beer to open.
Merle continued on, "It still has the smell of a brand-new car. That's just about the finest smell in the world, 'cept maybe for pussy."
Carols face turned bright red at Merles word and Stacey choked on her beer a little. Daryl barked out a laugh at Merle. His face was red but he was still laughing, he shrugged.
"You don't agree baby brother?" Merle wasn't going to drop it.
Daryl looked right at him and smirked, "Didn't say that brother."
Merle chuckled. "If you had, I'd knew you were a queer."
"Fuck you." Daryl snarled at him.
Carol spent the most of the night talking with Stacey and Daryl. She was pretty sure Merle didn't know how to talk to her, so he said as little as possible. The thought made her laugh.
Carol had noticed a few girls trying to talk to Daryl, he would just shrug and nod at them. Never actually talking unless he had too. She was able to hold back her laughter but Stacey wasn't when he would move out of the way of the girls when they would try to touch him. This got them more then a few nasty looks. Stacey would raise and eyebrow at them and look at Carol. She wasn't sure what that was about, but she just went with it. He only really talked to her, Stacey, and Merle. Rick had showed up for awhile but had to leave for night shift at the station.
"There's my boy!" came a booming voice Carol immediately recognized as Norm.
Daryl looked up and smiled at the man, "Old man, I was wondering where your ass was."
Norm eyed him for a minute, he must have a buzz. It was good to see him out, for now on he was sending Carol after his ass for shit. Merle had told him that Carol was with him earlier in the day. He also said she was giving him shit and Daryl wasn't snapping and growling at her like he does everyone else. The thought made him smile, he was going to ask Daryl about that later.
Turning to Carol the girl had a huge smile lighting her face and she was setting shoulder to shoulder to Daryl. "By the way, thanks for bringing everything you did Carol." He cut his eyes towards Daryl implying more then the food.
"I told you I would Norm!" Carol clapped her hand Daryls arm.
Norm was watching the two, she hadn't moved her hand yet and Daryl didn't even seem to notice it. He wondered exactly what Daryl really thought of her. He was going to make him talk about it. No way around it.
"What all ya'll do today." Norm questioned.
Dean came up behind Carol and bent down grabbing her in a hug, "Yeah what all were you all doing today?"
Daryl just grunted, he was getting uncomfortable with all this attention on him. Shifting in his seat he averted his eyes away from everyone.
Carol sensing this started talking to the men instead, "I cooked, Merle got slapped, and that was about it." Carol didn't mention hiking to the roses, it seemed more personal to Daryl then just regular hiking. He chose to share that her.
Daryl swiveled his head around and eyed her for a moment, he nodded at her. He looked relieved, she felt some of tension leave his body.
Norm noticing this, "Ya have fun keeping track of him all day?"
Merle laughed, "I bet that was a lively conversation, my talkative brother over there."
Carol gave Merle a pointed look while Stacey pinched his arm, "Maybe he just doesn't have much to say to Merle."
Daryl snorted and nodded his head, "She's got you there."
Daryl looked down at his watch it was twelve at night, he was more then ready to go home. He hadn't planned to stay this long, but it seemed every time he started planning his escape Carol would sense it and keep him right where he was.
"You in there Daryl?" Will questioned laughing.
"Yeah, just getting tired." Daryl yawned, stretching in his seat.
Will nodded, "I was telling Norm that part you ordered came in. It's setting under the desk at the shop."
"Alright, I'll get it Monday then and-" he was interrupted by Carol and Stacey busting out laughing.
Norm, Dean, Daryl, and Will all looked over the two women, they were laughing so hard they were shaking. Carol was actually causing Daryl to move she was laughing so hard. They both had tears running down their faces. Looking at Merle, he was red faced and looked like he was going to choke someone out.
"Stupid Bitch" He barked out in a seething voice.
Carol immediately stopped laughing and stiffened next to Daryl, she had her head lowered and her eyes on the ground. Daryl snapped his eyes up to Merles but Merle was being pulled from his seat by Will. Will had that fire in his eyes that he'd seen enough times to know that Dixon temper was getting ready to come out.
Dean kneeled in front of her, "Carol Ann look at me. Don't hang your head. He didn't mean anything, that's just him." She wouldn't speak or look at him. She was leaning away from him and more into Daryl. Dean cut his eyes to Daryl, he stood up and locked eyes with him as moved back to his seat.
Daryl elbowed Carol a little, "Ignore his ass. He's drunk." speaking low so only she could hear him. "You don't have to be afraid of his ass. He wasn't gonna try anything, even if he did I'd laid his out before he made the first step towards you Carol."
Carol nodded and looked up at him a little, "You're leaving soon aren't you, you've been trying to for awhile now." Daryl nodded at her question. "I wanna go when you do then."
Still speaking low, "Alright, give me a minute."
Daryl looked up and Norm, Stacey, and Dean were all looking at him. They had on a wide range of expressions, all of which he chose not identify at the moment. Instead he looked over to where Will had Merle, he was gesturing with his hands, another Dixon trait. He pointed to where Daryl and Carol were setting and Merle looked up meeting Daryl's eyes.
When Will and Merle made there way back Daryl stood up and moved away from the group a little, "I'm headin out."
Norm looked at him, he hadn't seen him drink in awhile, "You can stay here, you still got that room."
Daryl shook his head, "Nah, I'm sober. I quit drinking awhile ago Norm. Don't worry."
Norm was still looking at him when he noticed Carol moving towards him still not looking at anyone else. "You leaving to Carol?"
She looked up at his voice and nodded, she moved closer to Daryl. He wanted to choke Merle right about now, she had been laughing and having a good time all night. She even got Daryl to talk some. He cut his eyes to Merle and had to hold back a laugh.
"It's getting a little cool out here." Stacey stated, moving to pull on Merles flannel shirt.
Merle gave her a wolfish smile, "It is sugar, maybe here soon you can warm my nuts for me."
Stacey leveled him with glare, "Oh honey I would. But you know I don't really like the little ones."
Merles face reddened and before he could say anything Daryl's roar of laughter drowned him out. Everyone looked over at him, it was uncommon for him to laugh like that. He was leaning on the door frame a little and Carol had a hold of his bicep like was scared he would disappear on him.
Merle growled something under his breathe at Stacey, and she just gave him a sly grin. "Next time honey, learn to watch ya mouth when talking to ladies. It'll save you a lot of time." She pointedly looked from him to Carol. Merle just nodded at her.
Carol was following the path Daryl was carving through the crowd, she was getting the same nasty glares from the girls who had tried talking to him earlier. She just smiled and kept moving, she felt Daryl grab her hand and pull her closer to him.
"Stay close or I'm lose you in all these dumbass'" Daryl looked down at her, she was getting some of her color back from earlier. "You aint gonna be able to drive Carol. Have you ever been drunk?" Daryl questioned in a serious voice. They had stopped moving but she still had ahold of his hand.
"No, this was the first time I ever drank." she yawned.
He was going to kill Merle for getting her all the beers he did, she didn't need to stay by herself incase she got sick. "Do you know where Dean went Carol?"
"He left earlier with some woman…"
"You don't need to be alone, you want me to take you to his house?"
Carol looked up at him wide eyes, "HELL NO! You think I wanna be in that house while my dad is likely having sex?!" Carol shuddered.
Daryl chuckled, "Alright alright." He started moving, pulling her along with him. This was going to be a long night, he just wanted to get home though.
"I don't like gravel." Carol pouted out in a slurred voice. "They're mean!"
Daryl smiled at her, "Most drunks don't Carol Ann." he had a laugh in his voice and his eyes were dancing with amusement.
"You aren't gonna leave me alone are you?" she was giving him that doe eyed look again. He just sighed and kept her moving.
Daryl got to his truck opening the passenger door, he done this shit enough for Merle. He just hoped Carol didn't puke all over his house like Merle did and leave him the mess to clean. "Nah." he shook his head and buckled her seat belt for her. She was already knocking out.
He heard someone calling his name as he was making his way back around the front of the truck. Looking up it was one of the girls that had been trying to get him to drink with her. He just nodded and kept moving.
"Where you going Dixon?" she questioned moving closer to him.
He just opened his truck door and climbed in, "Home." he qualified.
She gave him a mischievous look, "Alone?" she moved closer to him running her eyes all over him. She clearly hadn't noticed Carol in his truck yet or she'd know how stupid that sounded.
"Daryl, I'm cold." Carol pouted.
The girl stiffened at the sound of Carols voice and Daryl smirked at her. "No." he pulled his door shut forcing her to move away from him. Carol was good at keeping what he considered party whores away from him, it wasn't winning her any favors with them though.