Chapter 12….Baby Steps

Greetings from Ohio and Alaska. This is more of a bridge chapter to help set up what is to come. Thank you for your favorites, follow and reviews… You will never know how much they mean to us, Big hugs from Alaska and Ohio, Kaye and Vicki

Darkest

As Daryl and Carol left for their cell, Rick walked over to Martinez, "hey, was wondering if you wouldn't mind stoppin' by to see Hershel after dinner."

Martinez had a feeling he knew what was behind that request. He had seen the old man around the prison and was impressed with him, but knew there was no way he could share the things he had shared with Carol.

"Sure, where at?"

Rick felt a bit relieved at how easy it was to get that "Yes", hoping the talk with Hershel would sort out the mystery of the other man, "Where you would like. You could meet in the library or in his cell. Up to you."

"Library is fine; will you or Michonne be around in case Caro needs anything?"

"Yeah, we'll keep an eye out. I'll let Hershel know." Rick turned and walked inside the prison. I hope Hershel can figure out why Martinez is so fixated on Carol. If he hurts her, Daryl won't be the only one out for his blood.

Michonne caught Rick when he came in, "hey, I'm taking Carol out tomorrow morning. Is there any place you can take Daryl? We're heading north east."

Rick paused for a moment before answering, "Yeah, I can take him and some of the others to that construction site we found. Its south of here. How long do you need?"

"About 3 hours, I know where I'm taking her and it shouldn't take longer than that."

"Just make sure you're back before we get back, Daryl will flip his shit if he finds out. "

Michonne flashed her smile at her companion, "Oh yeah, and we wouldn't want to damage your pretty face. Did you talk to Martinez yet?"

Rick, taken aback with her comment stuttered, "umm, yeah…they're gonna met up in the library."

'Ok, I'm going to go get stuff ready for tomorrow. See ya," with another smile, Michonne walked off to her cell.

Damn woman! was all Rick could think of as he watched her walk away.

Darkest

Hershel was waiting for Martinez when he arrived.

Caesar figured he'd let the old man do his bit and head off for a shower.

He was worried about Carol being out there with just Michonne and was trying to find out when they were going. If I can find out, I can let Dixon know and he'll put a stop to that shit!

In his mind, no one here cared more for the small woman than Dixon or himself. He wouldn't risk her, he had no problem hunting down those men with the group, he relished the idea of slipping his knife into their black, soulless hearts, but he would not let the others put her life in danger without cause.

"Hi son, thank you for meeting me," Hershel said as he sat up at the table, "Care to join me?"

Caesar didn't acknowledge the man other than to sit across from him. "What do they want to know?"

Hershel wasn't surprised at how quickly the younger man got to the point, in fact he would have been surprised if the other man had beat around the bush.

"Ok, I'll get to the point, why did you help them?"

" You really want to know why I helped them. I already told you why I helped them, did it the first night here. Next question." Caesar answered politely but firmly, he wasn't giving any extra information to anyone. They wouldn't believe him, would never trust him and sure as hell didn't want him there.

Oh, you're going to be a tough one to crack, aren't you…

"Fair enough, why are you still here?" Hershel was curious if the other man would answer any of his questions. He knew there was something good in him, but was struggling to get to it.

"As long as Caro needs me, I'm here. How about I make this a bit easier for you. My name is Caesar Hector Martinez. I'm 35 or at least that's how old I was. I was a construction worker before all of this shit happened. I've lost my family to this, whatever the hell it is. Caro knows why I'm here and what I need to do. I'm not here to cause trouble or to threaten any of your people and I sure as hell ain't here to hurt Caro or Daryl. As much as I would love to bare my soul to you, let you know what's inside, I just can't. Some things are better buried." Martinez got up to leave, his thoughts crowded with images he had tried to bury.

His family, his wife, his children, parents, siblings everyone gone.

His friends, boys he had grown up with..

The things he had done to survive, the lives he had taken, the pain he had caused.

Caro's broken body on the table, silent, no begging or crying

Daryl lost in the haze of his anger, pain and fear for the woman he loved and himself,

Watching the love shining from battered bruised eyes as they carved their names over the others hearts,

Seeing how they struggled to get to one another,

Witnessing the avenging fury that was Caro as she tore through the men who dared hurt her and her love,

Looking on as Daryl pulled his bleeding damaged body up from the ground to come to her aid, awed by the inner strength that fed his determination to be by her side.

Lurking in the background as the veil of insanity and righteous anger lifted from her eyes to be replaced by a glowing fire, a burning passion built by the love they shared. Her drive to not only survive but thrive…

Observing the changes in her since they had gotten to the prison, Weakling to Warrior, damaged to whole, blind rage to control.

She is my redemption.

Caesar shook his head to clear it and turned to the older man, " Is there anything else you needed?" he asked quietly.

Hershel had seen the emotions flittering across the younger man's face and could tell he was caught in his memories. "You do know if you need to talk about anything I'm here. You don't know me very well yet, but unless you are a threat to me and mine, I could be your friend, could help you."

Caesar gave him a brief nod before he spun around and left the room.

Rick having watched Martinez leave, knocked on the door and went in. " How'd it go?"

Hershel lost in his own thoughts for a second, finally acknowledged his friend, "That young man is sitting on a lot of pain , but I don't think he's here to hurt anyone. "

Rick blew out a breath, "Well that's something, I just wish we knew what was up with him. "

"I'm sorry I couldn't find out more. I'll try again in a few days."

"It's ok Hershel, thanks for trying. I did talk to Daryl and he said he would see if Carol was up for a visit tonight. "

For the first time since he had come into the room, Hershel felt a smile bloom on his face, "Thank you Rick. "

With that the two got up and walked back to the cell block. Each trying to process their views of Martinez.

-Darkest-

Hershel stood patiently outside of the cell, he could hear them talking in low tones and he hated to disturb them, but Rick had said it was fine to go up to see them and honestly he was ready. He missed Carol she was like one of his children.

Taking a deep breath he tapped on the cell bars and heard movement behind the curtain. Daryl appeared a few seconds later giving him a slight nod, "Come on in, we're just finishing dinner."

Hershel followed him into the cell and Carol looked up at him. She looked so much better than she had. He had stolen a few glances at her, but seeing her sitting there looking up at him, he saw the woman he cared about.

Hershel smiled, "Well thanks for letting me visit."

Daryl pulled a chair near the door for him, sitting down next to Carol on the bunk he put himself between Carol and Hershel just in case and took her hand. Looking at her he smiled, "See baby, it's just Hershel."

Carol felt a little sick; her main reason for NOT wanting to see Hershel was the fact that he saw all of her when they brought her in. He saw every mark, that those men had put on her skin and she was struggling with him having that knowledge.

Carol nodded at him, "I know its Hershel."

Hershel smiled, "We all miss you down at dinner. I know you're working your way up to that and you take your time, but we miss you."

Carol gave him a weak smile, "I miss you too."

Hershel sat forward, "So how is the training going? Glenn and Maggie said you're some kind of warrior queen now."

Carol chuckled, Daryl squeezing her hand this was going much better than he thought it would, "I'm just learning how to protect myself, protect my family. Michonne is a good teacher. I haven't been very good at controlling my anger, but I'm getting better."

Hershel smiled looking at Daryl, "You better be careful son, she might be able to kick your ass."

Daryl snickered, "Don't worry she already can."

Carol barked out a laugh and covered her mouth; Daryl leaned over and kissed her cheek, "Ain't that right woman? Go on tell him how ya planted my ass the other day."

Carol blushed, "I didn't, I wouldn't, he's teasing."

Hershel watched the two of them, enjoying the love he saw openly there. He never thought that Daryl would be so open with his feelings for her, but there it was. He could see how much Daryl loved Carol and how much Carol loved him. It was enough to give him hope that the two of them could find their way out of this mess and maybe they could both find their happy ending.

-Darkest-

After Hershel left Daryl and Carol started to settle in for the night. Daryl took his boots off and his shirt getting into the bunk he laid up against the wall. He watched Carol as she turned her back, changing her clothes putting on one of his shirts and a pair of sweats. She turned around and blushed when she saw he was watching her, "What're doing?"

Daryl smirked, "Good boys get kisses and I didn't kill him that makes me a good boy."

Carol chuckled, folding her arms over her chest, "Really?" She moved to lie on the bunk next to him, laughing when he puckered his lips and closed his eyes. Carol sighed leaning over him she gave him one quick kiss and then nestled into his chest.

Daryl pouted, "Just one? Ok, I guess I could've gotten in a few more punches then."

Carol slapped at his stomach making him laugh, pulling her closer. Carol propped up on one elbow looking at him, her fingers tracing his scruff, "I'm glad you didn't kill him."

Daryl groaned, rolling his head to the side so you could look at her, his own insecurities kicking in. His hand traced down her back, "You care about him."

Carol saw the doubt in his eyes; she leaned in kissing him slowly, her lips moving against his. She pulled away and smiled, "I care, but not like that. There's only one pain in the ass man I love and that's you."

Daryl smirked at her, "Really? Well how about one more kiss and then I'll be a good boy and lay down."

Carol chuckled, taking a deep breath, "Alright one last kiss, then we need to sleep we both have really big days tomorrow."

Daryl kept himself still as she leaned in, her lips felt like heaven against his. Moving slowly, she kissed his lips, moving her mouth against his, her tongue coming out to flick his bottom lip. Daryl opened his mouth just a little; letting her lead the kiss she slipped her tongue into his mouth. Daryl gripped the bed, willing his hands to stay put; he didn't want her to feel like he was pushing so he had to keep his hands on the bed.

Carol loved kissing him; there was something like coming home when they kissed. With a shaking hand she took his hand and guided it to her breast. They both froze when she placed it on her breast. Daryl broke the kiss, "Baby?"

Carol smirked at him, "Just baby steps right now."

Daryl smiled, giving her breast a gentle squeeze he let his hand drop, "I like baby steps. Now go to sleep woman." He kissed her softly and she settled back against his chest. Both their hearts racing, knowing the road was long but baby steps were good.