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Snuggling further under the duvet the coolness in the air having woken her, she checked to see if Sophia was awake, her half of the bed was empty. The blinds on the window had been left half shut, Carol could see it was early morning, well past dawn though. Noticing a cream fleece jumper obviously left for her to put on over her nightwear and a pair of fleecy type slipper boots, which, when she slipped her feet in, felt soft and warm, not her usual attire. At the moment, she didn't care, her body soon warmed up in the jumper, as she went in search of Sophia. Stepping into the open spaced living area, her eyes quickly doing a scan of the area, she knew with the quietness that she was alone.

Nipping to the bathroom, to sort herself out, she headed to the kitchen, the coffee maker had been left on, with a mug and some sugar next to it. As she poured the hot liquid in the mug, she felt a calmness come over her, she knew he had left this for her. Which also meant there would be a note around somewhere, as she walked towards the fridge for some milk, she saw the piece of paper stuck with a magnet. Smiling as she sipped her coffee she read the words that were written in her daughters writing with Daryl's help with spelling and words.

Mummy

Daryl said I was to leave you to sleep, we have gone to the café. He said if you look out of the window you may just see us on the beach collecting shells.

he told me to say I put an outfit out for you, but that's lying (he did) it's on the sofa.

When you are up come and join us.

Love Sophia and Daryl x

Walking to the large window, she opened the door to the balcony hardly feeling the cool air hit her, Stepping into the sunshine she could just make out the café along the beach, but what had her attention was the man playing with the little girl along the water's edge. Running away from the small ripples that hit the beach. She knew that was them, her heart warmed at the sight, watching as Sophia reached her hand out to grasp his. She knew her daughter was safe with him, finishing her coffee she locked the door, and went to check the outfit her daughter told her he had placed out.

Well the man had taste, from the tight jeans that fitted her snugly showing off the figure, she never knew she had, after years of hiding it under baggy clothes. The jumper was in the softest wool, a beautiful blue colour, that matched her eyes, looking in the mirror tears fell, that wasn't her looking back?. The outfit was chosen to show off her assets, and boy did they ever, she would never have brought this herself, feeling inadequate to wear it. But now looking at herself in it, she loved it, for some reason it gave her confidence, slipping the black walking boots on and padded leather jacket, she didn't recognise herself. Did she have the strength to walk out of the apartment to the cafe, knowing he had chosen the outfit for her?. Did he have any idea how she would look in it?. For the first time in years Carol felt sexy, beautiful and confident. Locating her meagre bag of make-up, which only consisted of foundation, moisturiser and a lip gloss, she opted for lip gloss. The cool breeze from the sea would put some colour in her cheeks. Checking herself one more time, she took the key from the door and locked the place up. Heading down in the elevator, she swallowed as the doors opened, well here goes nothing.

"Wow, who is the beautiful woman gracing my presence this morning?" Dale almost whistled when her saw her exit the elevator.

"Dale behave" she blushed red, unused to those sort of comments,.

"Oh honey you look fantastic and it is so good to see you out of hospital. Little Sophia and Mr Dixon left around an hour or so ago, He said they left you a note but I was to give you directions for the place" he pulled her in hugging her, just glad to see the smile on her face.

"Thank you Dale, Do I look ok?" she asked nervously

"Honey if I was 30 years younger, that young man of yours would not stand a chance" Carol shook her head, what on earth was he talking about, her man?, she didn't have one

"Carol, do you really think Daryl would do what he is doing out of just kindness?" he broached the subject as gently as he could. Seeing the colour flood her cheeks, when he spoke of Daryl, he wasn't a stupid man at all. Dale had seen the changes in the younger man, since he had met Carol, he hadn't missed the way he was with Sophia. The younger man had no idea, and when he realized it, he would be blown apart. Daryl Dixon was falling hard for both Carol and Sophia, and even though most knew him as the ruthless business man, with no heart. Dale had seen him the broken man, that he truly was. He had prayed a lot over the last few days, that this woman would break down Dixon's walls and love him for who he was.

"Daryl has his code. He won't be interested in either Sophia or I, when I am better Dale, so whatever you are thinking it will not happen"

"Ok honey, but I think you have a small flame building inside for that man, and when that flame ignites watch the fire roar" Carol laughed at him, wondering if he had been drinking

"Dale, I love your way of thinking, but a man like Daryl doesn't look at anyone older than a certain age group, And certainly not a single mum with nothing to offer" Dale shook his head at her words, had she no idea how much that man was bending over backwards to ensure she would never leave his side?.Oh Daryl he thought, you have so much anger coming your way when she finds out what you have done.

"Honey, you have more to offer that man than most, and when you realize this, well lets just say I hope his apartment is fireproof" with that he guided her out of the building showing her the best way for her to find them. Thanking him she started walking, grateful for the warm clothes he had provided, playing the conversation over in her head of what Dale had said. She had nothing to offer Daryl, yes the man had tried it on, but that was just to see if he could get her in his bed, it was just a game to him. She had seen the look in Dale's eyes, as if he was hiding things from her, tomorrow she would ring Tara see if she had heard from Ed?. She also needed to beg Philip for her job back, she was a good worker and she hoped he would give her a second chance how else would she be able to pay Daryl back. Yes Merle had offered her a job, but would that still be there when Daryl lost interest?.

Approaching the small beach, she continued to walk along ,the front, noticing a small cafe at the end, with two men sat at a table. and a beautiful woman pouring a coffee as they laughed. Could this be the place? Checking along the walkway it was the only place that seemed to be open

"Hi honey are you lost?" Carol looked up when the woman, who had been pouring the coffee shouted over to her with a warm smile. Moving closer and feeling nervous, as both men turned to look at her, she felt cornered and scared. Michonne sensed ,who she was the moment she looked over, she saw the timid way she approached. So this was the woman that had baby Dixon's heart.

"Hey sweetie it's ok we don't bite, if you are looking for Daryl he's out on the beach with Sophia and Carl. Come on in take a seat" nudging Rick from his, she beckoned her in.

"Rick move that ass, and don't be so rude, staring. Nice to meet you at last Carol. I'm Michonne owner of this place, and that lump is my wonderful partner Rick, his son is with Sophia, and the other is Shane" Carol felt overwhelmed who were these people and how on earth did they know about her? . What had he been saying about her?

"It's ok, think the boy is kinda smitten with you and Sophia" Michonne whispered in her ear, as she poured a coffee for her

"Michonne you promised we would not interfere' Rick warned her, his look telling her to stop right now.

"So, I'm sorry I should not have said that, would you like something to eat? Sophia has already had some pancakes and bacon, I know Daryl was planning on waiting till you got here to eat, didn't want you eating alone" Rick shot her another look

"What? I think it's sweet" she smiled at Carol leaving her to choose her food.

"So your Carol. Well as Michonne says it is lovely to meet the woman who is responsible for that adorable little girl who has stolen Daryl's heart" Shane leaned over to grab a slice of toast from the rack, she had not even noticed near her.

"Er I,,,,Thank you"

"Sorry this must all seem so strange to you, we have known Daryl since high school, he's a good guy, Rick is the local sheriff and I get to drive him around with sirens going, More fun than you think" Carol burst out laughing as Shane tried his best to calm her nerves down.

"Rick and Michonee have been together about six months now. What Rick Ya didn't think I noticed ya sneaking off to see her?. I knew damn well it wasn't just a month" he laughed as Rick tapped him on the back

"Hell man I thought we were doing well at hiding it" he smiled

"Nah, even if Carl hadn't told me I would have known, Partners man, know ya inside out" Carol watched them as they bantered over the table, so they had known Daryl since school, she wondered what he was like back then? Was he as controlling as he is now?. Then she remembered the words he threw at her last night don't want her to feel scared and unloved like I did. She was starting to realize that Daryl Dixon had scars, emotional and damaging scars. These men knew him well, time to find out some information if they were willing to share.

"So what was he like at school?" Both men turned to her, she almost shrank back in her chair, under their gazes.

"Kinder," was all Rick said before glancing out to the beach.

"A mess" Shane replied, before sipping his coffee, his eyes everywhere but on her.

"And that's all I get?" she queried, wanting to know more

"For now, Carol we don't know you yet, what we share you could use to hurt him. And that is not a power we will give anyone. He has suffered, he will share it when the time is right. Don't judge him for what you have read in the media. They don't know the man, we do" Rick spoke without thought, he did not want to upset her, but it was not up to either man to share his story. That was for the man himself, should he choose to do so, which Rick doubted as he had never allowed anyone to know that side of him.

"I know he is controlling, likes things his own way" she spoke, not surprised to see the men laughing at her

"Oh honey you have no idea what that man can be like" Rick confirmed Carol's thoughts, seeing that room last night only scratched the surface of what he was about. Smiling at them both, she hadn't noticed Daryl approaching, having left Sophia and Carl to play on the beach. His anger coming forth when he saw her in the outfit he had brought, she looked as sexy as hell, all he wanted to do was rip her from the chair, take her to a secluded place and make her his for hours. He didn't appreciate her offering that smile, the same damn one she offered Bob yesterday. That was his smile and he wanted it aimed solely at him.

"So ya finally got ya lazy ass outta bed?" he mumbled as he slumped in a chair next to Rick, glad to see the smile fall from her face

"Daryl Dixon don't you ever let me hear you say that again to a woman" Michonne had heard, and knew where his anger was coming from, she had seen his reaction to Carol, when he had noticed, her at the table, then she saw the change in him, when she smiled at Rick and Shane

"Sorry Mich" he said, with his eyes on Carol, telling her he was far from sorry at all. Doing her best to ignore him, she order some food, then looked over to see Sophia playing with another child

"Is that Carl?" she asked Rick totally blanking Daryl out, if he wanted to be a dick she wasn't playing into his bad mood.

"Sure is, he's a few years older than Sophia but they get on really well, Daryl brought her down yesterday and after they left to get you, all he kept asking was when he would see her again" Carol was happy, Sophia didn't really have many friends, so it would do her good to have someone to play with

"I'm glad they get on, she has so few friends" Rick smiled back at her

"Yeah they will be in the same school when she starts on Monday" Carol almost spit her coffee out, what had Rick said?.

"Em Pardon, School?" now she was confused, glancing over at Daryl, who choose that moment to check on the food, Yeah run bastard she thought, wait till I get you on your own, Daryl risked a look over his shoulder at her, keeping her face calm, she waited for Rick to answer.

"Daryl moved Sophia to the local school here, it is such a lovely one and I know Carl cannot wait" both men could see her face reddening

"Oops think Dixon has fucked up" Shane staged whispered to Rick

"OH he has more that done that" Standing to her feet she went in search of him.


Daryl sneaked into the kitchen, yeah he was hiding, more to calm his heated body down, the erection he got when she looked at him, after Rick told her about the school, was the hardest he had in a long time. All he saw was a quick flash which promised revenge and he couldn't handle it, the thought of her pissed at him, had him aching with a need so powerful, it took all his control not to say "Come on then woman give me what ya got"

"So you think you can hide in here Dixon?" Michonne had heard it all, not too impressed with the man at the moment. Taking a little girl from all she knew and placing her in a new environment, without her mother's consent was unusual for Daryl. In fact she was surprised he had opted to do it, there was a reason, like most things he did, there was always a reasoning behind it.

"Tryin" he mumbled as he pinched some bacon from the grill pan.

"Reason you did what you did?" she tapped his hand to stop him from pinching anymore

"Yeah" hanging his head he looked at his shoes, she would not leave it at that, she would push until she had an answer. That's what he loved about her, she didn't put up with his little lost boy look. Looking at her through his bangs he waited for the lecture

"Dixon, that shit ain't worked with me for years, Something happened to Sophia you don't want her mummy to know about?" lifting his head, he thought about what to say, leaning his head against the wall, his thumb went to his mouth, grunting when Michonne tapped it, before his teeth worried it.

"You have not done that for awhile. So either you are unsure of the decision you made or...?"

"Ed went to Sophia's school and tried to take her. Michonne I couldn't let that happen, that man, he... " smiling she understood his reasons, Sophia's protection came first

"I see, and don't you think you should have told her mum about this?" he nodded, she was right, but at the time , Carol wasn't even speaking to him.

"Woman wasn't speaking to me" Michonne looked at him, her head cocked to the side,.

"Ok, I didn't think she needed that crap on her plate too, she was ill enough, already scared, that he would take Sophia. Hell then man had threatened a few days before she collapsed, he was going to fight her for custody. I wasn't gonna let a four year old , be snatched away from her mummy, and used in a sick game of control and manipulation, causing her pain and hurt. SHE'S NOT GOING TO SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF HER DADDY LIKE I DID"

Placing the grill pan to the side, she went to hug him. Soothing him with strokes through his hair along his back. She had been part of the gang he messed around with at school, many a time she had healed his scars on his back. The older he got the worse the damage was, she had always asked if she could cut his old man's balls off, then hang him out to bleed. God knows why, he always said no, hoping one day his Pa would love him.

"Sssh it's ok, been awhile since you spoke about it Daryl. Guess you are seeing a little of you in Sophia. I can understand your reason and once you tell Carol she will understand too."

"NO!. Never must she know" telling her would open old wounds, telling her would subject him to pain and disgust. Most of all telling her would give her the ultimate power over him, as he always promised himself that the one person who would know, bar his close friends,about his childhood and his need to be in control. Would be the woman he lost his heart to, the woman he fell in love with.