"Daryl Dixon… I remember you," the dean said, reaching out his hand to shake Daryl's. "We were very impressed with your profile. Whatever school gets you - they're very lucky."

His heart was pounding wildly and Daryl was terrified, but he found his voice. "About that… I know I missed the deadline, but I would really like to be here next year. This was my first choice and I had my heart set on being in your program."

The Dean looked confused. "Then why didn't you accept?"

"I uh… I…" he stammered. Daryl knew he couldn't tell the truth because it was fraud for Merle to sign his name and receive the letter. "I just had the date wrong," he said finally. "I got an acceptance from another school and I had the deadlines backwards."

"Ah, I see," the Dean replied, giving him a somewhat skeptical look, likely because it had taken him too long to respond and he suspected it was a fabricated response. "Well, we are truly sorry to lose you, but there isn't anything I can do."

"But, please Sir… please…" Daryl begged. There wasn't anything else he could do but beg at that point.

"I'm sorry Mr. Dixon, rules are rules… besides we have already sent out second round acceptance letters to fill the few spaces who declined," he explained. "It's unfortunate you wasted a trip out here today, but my hands are tied. I do hope you will consider us again next year if you don't choose one of your other options."

"Please," Daryl tried again. "I can't wait another year… I need to be here… please…"

"I'm truly sorry," he apologized again. "But it's simply too late."

"Thanks for your time," Daryl muttered, trying to be polite. He stormed quickly out of the office and waited until he was outside before he let out a loud hiss, "Fuckkkkkkkkk."

Carol was waiting in the car and he yanked open the door and jumped in. "Drive. I knew this was a waste of time. I told you it wouldn't work. Just get me the fuck out of here."

"What did he say?" Carol asked patiently.

"He said no," Daryl snapped. She didn't even flinch at his sour mood. He sighed, feeling guilty. She was only trying to help. "They already sent out more acceptance letters to fill the vacant spots."

"It's one more person," Carol replied. "They have to be able to make room for one more person." She looked angry. "This is ridiculous." Carol suddenly smiled at him. "C'mere," she said, pulling him in for a kiss. It was long, passionate and it made him want to take her in the back seat, but she pulled away. "You stay here and I'll be right back, okay?"

"What? Where are you going?" Daryl asked nervously.

Carol laughed. "You didn't think we were giving up that easily did you?"

"Oh Woman, what are you gonna do?" Daryl chuckled. At this point they really had nothing to lose and he knew there was no point in trying to stop her. Carol was stubborn, even more than he was.

Carol popped the trunk and winked at him. "The Dean is about to see me naked."

When he finally clued in he felt sick. "Carol… you don't have to do that…" he started to protest, but she was already shutting the door behind her.

CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL - CAROL

Carol lugged the painting with her and marched into the Dean's office. There was a secretary desk in the foyer, but she could see him sitting at his desk through the open door. Without a word to the secretary she walked right in. "Hey, excuse me, Ma'am, you can't go in…" Carol shut the door behind her and momentarily silenced the secretary.

"I need just a moment of your time, please?" Carol pleaded with the dean, who was looking at her curiously.

By that point the secretary burst in. "Ma'am, either come with me or I'll call security."

"It's okay Marsha," he said, holding up his hand. "I've got 10 minutes before my next appointment." The secretary nodded and left, shutting the door behind her. "Have a seat young lady… I have a feeling you might be with Mr. Dixon?"

Carol nodded, "I am." She took a deep breath. "I want to tell you a story, is that okay?"

He leaned back and nodded, "I'm listening."

"Many months ago I met this man. He was shy, quiet… and he had secrets. I was intrigued right away because I could tell there was something special about him." Carol smiled, thinking back to the early days. "Turns out he was hiding something from the world - his talent. He had a secret studio where he would draw, paint and sculpt into the wee hours of the morning, after putting in a full day at work." Carol could tell the dean was interested in her story, he seemed like a very kind man. "I got to know him and he told me he's been saving up for many, many years to apply to art school and try to make a real living from his passion."

Carol paused and licked her lips. "Right from the start this is where he wanted to go but it wasn't possible financially. So we made it possible by doing late night portrait sessions. He did commission after commission, still working full time at his job. He spent countless hours, completely exhausted but still giving it all he had. And we did it. He made more than enough to apply here." Carol filled with pride, just speaking out loud about how hard he'd worked. "So he set to work on his portfolio and did the best work I have ever seen to send here to you."

"His submissions were very impressive," the dean agreed.

"You need to know something," Carol continued. "This man has never taken a lesson in his life. He's self taught, each and every technique is all just his natural talent." The dean looked skeptical. "I swear to you, Daryl is special. He's unique and rare, and he needs to be here as much as you need him in your program."

"I do believe you," the dean nodded. "But it doesn't change anything. The program is full."

"Listen, I know you have rules, of course you do… but, I also know there must be a way around them. There's gotta be a loophole somewhere that you can use to get Daryl in," she pressured. "I'm going to show you one more reason why you want him here." With a deep breath she started to uncover the painting. "He told me he wanted to try a new technique he had never used before and he wanted me to be the subject. I posed nude," she said with a blush. "And I only agreed if he promised no one would ever see the finished product but the two of us." The painting was uncovered but facing her and Carol felt tears sting her eyes looking at the exquisite work. "He worked so hard on this and I truly believe this is one of the most beautiful paintings you'll ever see." Carol sucked in another breath and turned it to show him.

Instantly his jaw dropped and the dean stood up. He came around the other side of the desk to get a closer look. "Realism… wow… but it's such a mix of classic style with contemporary…" The look of amazement on his face made Carol's heart start to beat wildly. "The eyes… I could count on one hand the number of students we have had in our program from its inception that could capture the essence of a person through their eyes." There was silence as he continued to study the painting.

It was time to turn it up a notch Carol decided. "Please sir," she said softly. "If there is anything, anything at all you can do to get him in… please, will you try? This is his dream. He worked so hard and I guarantee you he will give everything he has while he's here. He will make this school even better than it is already… just give him a chance…" The tear that rolled down her cheek wasn't part of the act, it was real.

The dean took a seat on the edge of his desk and looked at her. "I don't think he's the only special one in your relationship. You, young lady, are something else." Carol blushed. "You passion and dedication is inspiring." He stood up and reached for his phone. "Cancel my next appointment and call the admissions board for an emergency meeting in the conference room." He looked at Carol. "With your permission I would like to show this to the board," he said gesturing to the painting. "I might just have one of those loopholes you mentioned."

Carol was beaming. They had a chance. "Thank you sir, thank you so much," she gushed.

"Listen, can you get Daryl and meet me back here in half an hour?" He asked. "It shouldn't take the board more than 5-10 minutes to make their decision once I get them all here."

"Of course. Thank you," she said earnestly, reaching for his hand. They shook and Carol took off, leaving the painting with him. It didn't phase her at all that a group of academics were about to ogle her nude portrait because she was too excited.

"Can we just go now," Daryl moaned when she got in the car. "Wait… you're smiling… and where's the painting?" he asked, slowly cluing in.

"Well, my naked body just earned you another chance," Carol said saucily. She giggled, "the admissions board is meeting right now. And in half an hour - we find out what they decided."

"You're fucking with me," Daryl said. "Seriously? Is this real?"

Carol nodded. "He said there might be a loophole he can use." She bit her lip. "If this works… you owe me," she teased.

"Anything," he replied. "I would do anything for you," he added softly, reaching for her hand. "I don't even know how to thank you."

Carol tangled their fingers. "You don't have to," she said. "When will you believe I'm on your side… forever…" She touched his face with her other hand. "I'm so proud of you, of everything you've done, you deserve this." She leaned in and kissed him again. His gratitude quickly turned to passion and the kiss got very heated. Finally Carol pulled back, breathless.

"We have half an hour, wanna go park somewhere?" Daryl asked with a sexy grin.

"That sounds delightful," Carol started. "But…" he groaned and she laughed. "I want to go wander around the campus - of your new school."

"Oh fine," he agreed with a pout. "Let's go." They wandered around the small campus, exploring and killing time. 30 minutes from the time she left the office they were back there again, waiting for the dean.

"Mr. Dixon, Ms…"

"Peletier," Carol replied quickly.

"Ms Peletier, will you both follow me?" the secretary had been waiting for them. She led them to a conference room and gave them a smile. "Good luck," she whispered, before opening the door.

Carol reached for Daryl's hand and gave it a squeeze. They walked in, still holding hands. They were instructed to sit and the dean started to speak, "The board here has reviewed your portfolio and taken into consideration this incredible addition," he said, gesturing to the painting. "There's a special fund that we haven't accessed in many years. It was a Scholarship set aside for students with the utmost potential. While we've had some pretty talented students come through the program, for one reason or another - the money was never offered." Carol felt Daryl's grip tighten on her hand. "There's no doubt in my mind after seeing your work that you are a worthy recipient Mr. Dixon," he said. "But the problem, which I already discussed with you earlier, is that the program is at capacity. We have never made an exception for a student before in our long standing history. I called the board in today to make a decision regarding your acceptance into our school and we absolutely cannot allow you into the undergrad program."

Carol felt his hand relax in defeat and she saw Daryl physically deflate. She swallowed at the lump in her throat, as the dean continued. "But we did come up with another option to offer you." Carol held her breath… waiting… "Mr. Dixon, we would like to offer you an honorary undergraduate degree and position in our graduate program." Instantly tears sprung to Carol's eyes as Daryl looked stunned. "Anyone who can paint like that is miles beyond undergrad techniques," he explained. "Furthermore… we would also like to offer you a full scholarship for the duration of the program." Everyone in the room was smiling except Daryl, who was in shock. "We will need to go over the expectations of the new program and make sure you agree… but we hope you'll accept because we would love to have you. So, what do you say?"

"Hell yeah," Daryl replied enthusiastically, causing them all to burst out laughing. "I'm in. I'll do whatever is required of me," he added. "Anything."

"Ms. Leroy will meet with you once we are done here and discuss the details, but I hope you're prepared to teach this technique because you'll be working with a small group of very talented undergrads…"

"You want me to teach?" Daryl gasped. "Me?"

"We sure do. All of our grad students are given a group of undergrads to instruct over the year and work towards a final project for our annual gallery event," he explained. Daryl nodded eagerly. Carol was somehow even more proud of him than she had ever been before. "Just one last thing before we finish up and let you speak with Ms. Leroy… it's about this work of art. The school would like to purchase it from you to display in our museum. It contains work from many of the famous artists who have graduated from our programs and it would be an honour to hang your portrait there as well." Carol held her breath. How had they gone from a promise that no one would see her portrait to the possibility of it hanging in a museum. "We would like to offer you $15,000 for the painting," he said and Carol gasped. "Do we have a deal?" She turned and looked at Daryl's face, her heart pounding, waiting for him to answer.