Chapter 12: Meet the Family

Author's Note: It's just been brought to my attention that Daryl's been breaking the law for a couple of chapters by not wearing a motorcycle helmet. Being that I've never been to California, I wasn't aware of their super strict helmet law. I suppose we'll just have to say Daryl's a rebel. ;) Maybe he'll get pulled over by a certain cop I've recently introduced into the story. :P Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Carol had called ahead on her cell to inform security she was coming to the studio, and by the time they reached the gates, a few paparazzi came out from nowhere, but thankfully, security had it covered and had the gates opening and letting them in. Daryl drove through, face hidden partially by his wind-swept hair and the dark sunglasses he'd bought at a gas station a few miles back.

Daryl pulled around by the sound stage doors, parking his bike in Carol's reserved parking space. When Carol pulled off her helmet and dug through her purse for her security pass, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

The second she pulled her phone out, she groaned and rolled her eyes.

"S'wrong?"

"They don't waste time, do they?" She held her phone up to show him a link Michonne had just texted her, showing pictures of them just moments ago riding through the gates of the studio lot.

"Jesus, they're quick."

"But look how sexy you look in those sunglasses," Carol smirked, reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze. "Maybe you can wear them later when I get you home. Just those."

"Oh, you're takin' me home?"

"If you play your cards right," she offered with a grin. Daryl smirked at that. "Come on. Are you ready to meet my crazy cast mates?"

"If you're ready for me to meet 'em," he replied with a nod. She smiled then, nodding toward a set of double doors. Daryl followed her there, where she quickly slid her security card, only for the locks to click, alerting them of their admittance.

Daryl's eyes adjusted to the dim light in the long hallway the second the doors shut behind them. He wasn't certain what he expected, given he'd never been at any sort of television studio before, but he certainly wasn't expecting the pale, white walls and the various shut doors that reminded him of an old high school.

They passed a large soundstage that looked like the inside of a grocery store with boxes overturned everywhere and paint peeling from the walls.

"It's one of our sets," she said with a smile. "You should watch more TV, Daryl." He snorted at that, and they turned down a hall toward a larger room. There was one large, round table with about a dozen seats around it, and some of those seats were filled.

A young, Asian man looked up as soon as they walked in, and a dark-headed woman hopped up and started over. The man followed.

"Oh my God, you two are all over the news," the woman pointed out, eyes wide as they met in the middle of the room. "So, which story do I believe? Are you two secretly married?"

"What?!" Carol laughed. "Who's saying that?"

"Oh, some British knockoff tabloid is grasping at straws."

"Tara Chambler," Carol laughed, "this is Daryl Dixon."

"The Daryl Dixon. Can I have your autograph?" She grinned at him, and he glanced at Carol who poked him in the ribs with her elbow. "I've heard so much about you in the past two days all over Twitter and Facebook and everything."

"Oh, so ya don't know shit?" Daryl offered.

"I like him," Tara laughed.

"So," the other man spoke up, "what are your intentions with our Carol? We're family here at Apocalypse, California, and anybody who messes with our family gets their ass kicked."

"Glenn, behave," Carol replied with an eye roll. "Glenn Rhee, Daryl Dixon."

"Sweet ride, by the way," Glenn offered. "So you do repairs?"

"You need work done?"

"No, but I have a few friends. I could send some business your way."

"Glenn plays David Ingram on the show. He's sort of the lead actor. His character's desperately in love with mine," she said with a teasing grin.

"But in a relationship with my character, Jenny Dupree," Tara replied. "Which is kind of screwed up, because my character is having feelings for Rosita's character, Julia. It's kind of a mess."

"Sounds like a damned romance novel," Daryl replied.

"Oh, it's worse than a soap opera," Tara agreed . "My girlfriend Denise says sometimes she forgets that it's about the apocalypse, because there's so much personal drama going on."

"So Carol, you're character's with Glenn's character?" Daryl asked, furrowing his brows.

"No," she chuckled. "He's with Tara's, but he wants to be with mine, even though his girlfriend has a thing for their friend…who's a girl."

"Shit," Daryl muttered. "Probably better watch this thing from the beginning."

"No, Olivia's got her sights set on the quiet, awkward loner who doesn't seem to show any interest whatsoever in anybody except for Olivia. Though he'd freak out if she made a move." She rolled her eyes. "It's gonna happen eventually, I'm sure. I'm just not looking forward to the sex scenes." Daryl paused for a moment. Huh. He hadn't even thought about that. He wasn't sure what was more awkward. Having to do a love scene with someone you weren't in a relationship with or watching the person you're falling for do a love scene in front of a whole crew for the purpose of showing it to millions of viewers.

"You wanna run though some lines?" Tara offered, linking her arm through Carol's.

"Sounds good," Carol chuckled. "Daryl, you don't mind to sit in?"

"C'mon, dude," Glenn offered. "Gotta watch the Queen in action. She's amazing."

"Oh, stop," Carol replied with an eye roll, giving Glenn's shoulder a little shove.

"Queen?" Daryl asked.

"You really gotta get in the fandom. I'm just saying. She's like…the most badass character on TV. There's a reason the media's all over you two." Daryl watched and listened as Carol walked off with Tara, and he felt a lump growing in his throat at how her smile just seemed to brighten the room. That smile was contagious, because as soon as she smiled, Tara smiled, and he just wanted to smile, too. But he didn't, because the next words out of Glenn's mouth had a cold panic washing over him.

"You know how many guys would kill to have the chance to work with her, to just be in her presence? You lucked out, man."

"I helped somebody on the side of the road," Daryl said quietly.

"And it's probably the best thing that's ever gonna happen to you. Hold onto her, and don't forget, if you hurt her…"

"You'll kick my ass, right?"

"You got it. Tara packs a mean punch, so watch out for her, too."

"Thanks for the heads up," Daryl replied quietly, watching Carol sit down next to Tara.

"Seriously though, she's been hurt in the past. Whatever this thing is…"

"It's new," Daryl offered. "Ain't really defined it ourselves, so if it's the same to you…"

"I get it," Glenn offered, holding his hands up. "She likes you. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time. So just don't hurt her. If you want out, just tell her before she falls too far, ok?" Daryl said nothing then, only stuffed his hands into his pockets and gave Glenn a little nod.

"Looks like they're waitin' on you." Glenn nodded then and gave Daryl a clap on the shoulder. Daryl stayed back, watching the three of them talk and flip through scripts as others came in to join the reading session.

She was happy, that he could see. And she'd taken a chance on him. She'd pushed through her trust issues and let him in, and he was already falling for her. He felt better when he was with her. He felt happy. She was consuming his thoughts and his heart, and it was overwhelming. But he wasn't running, and he hoped she wouldn't either. He hoped she wouldn't change her mind and push him away, because he was certain he wouldn't be able to handle that.

He watched the way she seemed to focus into character and look over her script, but not before she searched the room for him, gaze settling on him from the center of the room. She smiled then, eyes sparkling, making his stomach do flip flops in only the way her smile could. Oh yeah, he was done for, and it was the best feeling in the world.