AN: Thank you guys so much for reading this one. Hope you enjoyed it :) I'll try to focus on Welcome to New York and finishing up Nuits en Dentelle. After that I'm not sure what I'll work on next so if you have requests - speak now :)

Chapter 14 - Conclusion

Carol couldn't believe how fast time had flown by when she woke the morning of their final day in Scotland. In a few hours they would board a plane to fly home. Everything about the remainder of the trip had been amazing. They did day trips to see the countryside, visited several museums and art galleries, dined at unique, authentic local restaurants, and spent a lot of time getting to know each other in ways they never had before. They were connected on a deeper level, both physically and emotionally, and they each had knowledge to offer and share.

Daryl was teaching her a lot of things in bed and he was a patient and loving instructor. She wasn't just learning about what he liked, she was learning so much more about herself. She felt more confident telling him where she wanted to be touched, or the things she wanted him to do to her. He never made her feel embarrassed or shy about her request, no matter what it was. He simply complied and gave her exactly what she wanted. It was extremely liberating to be able to not only ask for whatever she needed, but to know what that was.

Carol was still working on the counterpart to that - feeling confident and comfortable doing what he wanted. She felt butterflies when he requested something new, still not confident she could do it right, or do it the way he wanted. But once again, Daryl never made her feel bad about it and she was open to his constructive criticism. She decided early on that she wouldn't let herself feel bad about the critique because it was the only way to grow. It was the same as anything else in the world - If no one told you when you were doing something wrong you could never fix it and improve.

While he was her teacher in the bedroom Carol was his teacher out in the world. She was doing her best to get Daryl to slow down and take the time to appreciate things. She loved to people watch, but he was far too fidgety to partake for long. She quickly found ways to make it more interesting for him so they could both enjoy something she absolutely loved. Carol would use her observational skills and her deep love of psychology to profile the people they watched. Daryl was fascinated with her stories and was always looking for a new subject for her to study. She wasn't sure if he believed in her profiling skills or just thought she was making up great stories, but it didn't matter. They both enjoyed it and that's what was important.

Carol was pretty sure they had learned more about each other in the past few days than they had in all the years they'd know one another. It was refreshing to know him on a much deeper level. Daryl was a very smart guy. Much more intelligent than people gave him credit for. Where he was lacking was the empathy department and the ability to put himself in other's shoes and see how his words and actions affected other people. It wasn't that he was cruel. Daryl was actually one of the most caring and loving people she knew - to a fault. There were times he was so focussed on making one person happy that he failed to notice that he was hurting others. Carol talked with him at great lengths about love, hate, friendship, trust and family, how to prioritize, when to keep his mouth shut etc. And in the end she was pretty confident that she had gotten through to him. Unfortunately, when the light bulb finally came on he felt like shit for a long time. Eventually Carol distracted him and made him feel better with a little sexual healing. But he made her promise that if she noticed him doing it again that she would point it out, every time. She promised and knew it would likely take several reminders before he learned.

For the majority of the trip Carol had done a really good job at not focussing on what would happen when they got back to the states. She had put it out of her mind for several days, but it consumed her from the second she woke that morning. She'd been with him all day, every day. How could she go from that to not knowing when she would see him again? It wasn't like they lived far apart, and Carol knew in her heart they would figure it all out. But as friends there were times they could go many days without seeing each other - and she was pretty sure she couldn't bear that any longer.

"You have barely said two words since we woke up," Daryl said, eying her suspiciously.

"What's up?"

"Just thinking too much," she said, making a weak attempt at deflecting.

"Bout what?" he asked, taking a bite of the pastry he was eating for breakfast.

Carol tapped her fingers on the table, staring at him silently. Finally she spoke, "About what happens when we get home and you go back to work, and Merle and doing your usual thing."

"Thought you might be looking forward to some time alone by now," Daryl tried to make a joke.

But Carol wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Well I'm not," she snapped, a little snarkier than she intended. "Why? Are you?"

Daryl didn't answer. He simply stood up, walked over and somehow managed to climb into the lounge chair behind her. She felt his hands on her shoulders and sighed. She quit talking and quit worrying and just let him massage it all away. Eventually he spoke up. "We'll figure it out, I promise. We can sit down and figure out some sort of schedule. I'll visit you more often because I know you like being at your place and, let's be honest - Merle isn't there." He continued to massage her. "Maybe you could come hunting with me sometime?"

Carol pondered the suggestion. She really had no desire to kill things, but the idea of wandering around in the woods, watching him do his thing was very appealing. "I would like that," she said. Carol took a deep breath and let herself smile. "I want to make this work. I'm willing to compromise. But are you?" she asked.

"Of course, name it. I'll do anything for you," Daryl said, kissing her neck. "Almost anything," he added. "No, wait… I'll do anything."

Carol chuckled. "I'm just thinking maybe we can do normal things together, that normal couples do. Go out for dinner. Go see a movie. And maybe… maybe you'd consider giving up a couple of hunting weekends so we can do other stuff? It would be nice to have a quiet weekend together once in awhile."

"Oh thank God," Daryl sighed. "I thought you were going to ask me to…" he whispered the rest in her ear and Carol started to giggle.

"No, God no. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy," she said, sighing as he sucked at her neck.

"I hate to do this… but we really should start taking things to the car. Make sure we get to the airport in time…" Daryl slipped out from behind her.

"Yep, you're right," she agreed, standing up.

Before she could get too far he pulled her into a hug. "No worries, okay? We're gonna make this work, I promise." He brushed her lips twice and released her reluctantly. Carol knew he had to before one thing led to another and they really did miss their flight.

She was sad to leave the castle and hoped they would return there someday. It would always hold special memories of the start of their relationship. It was a time you only get to go through once together and it was a time she would never forget. Carol committed the scenery to mind as they made the journey to the airport.

When they were almost there she got a text. Daryl got one at the same time and they both glanced quickly at their phones. "Yours from Merle?" Carol asked as she read the text: Looks like there are tons of peeps in the ATL. Party at my place. 8pm. Be there!

"Yeah, he's throwing a party tonight…" Daryl said, pulling up to the rental car drop off. "So much for returning to a nice quiet house to sleep off my jetlag," he sighed.

At first Carol was excited to get to spend another night with him, knowing after the party she would end up staying the night if they both drank. But once they boarded the plane and she got lost in her own mind she started to look at it a little differently. Daryl hadn't planned the party for her or to get to spend more time together, and he didn't even seem that excited about it - he just wanted to go home and rest. Maybe she should just decline the offer and go her own way once they were home.

A couple hours into the flight she found herself glaring at Daryl while he was sleeping. She was feeling very passive aggressive and while she seethed inside and shot him dirty looks when he wouldn't see them, when they talked or interacted she made it seem as if everything was absolutely fine.

It got worse when they were actually at the party though. Everytime she caught sight of him, laughing or having fun with someone else she had to resist the urge to kick him in the nuts. She tried to chalk it up to the fact that she was suffering from extreme jet lag by that point and it was making her oversensitive and cranky. But she couldn't deny the irritation she felt.

She was her usual sweet and charming self throughout the night. People were quickly noticing that her and Daryl had hooked up and she was asked about it several times. Sasha, who may have been a little drunk, even asked what Daryl was like in bed. And Carol… who had been pounding back a few too many as well, actually answered - in detail. "Someday I'll find out what Abe is like," Sasha sighed, gazing at him from across the room.

Carol had no idea Sasha was smitten with their friend, but she approved. Sasha was a darling and they would make a cute couple if it ever happened. Later in the evening, after a few more beverages, she grabbed Abe and hauled him off to the patio. "Sasha has the hots for you. Ask her to stay the night. I'll tell Merle you're in the guest room," she commanded. Abe looked shocked. "Shit. Those were mutually exclusive statements," Carol sighed. "She had the hots for you. And she's very drunk. You should ask her to stay."

Abe still looked confused. "Are you suggesting I take advantage of her? While she's drunk?"

"Fuck," Carol hissed. "I'm not saying this right. The guest room has two beds. Ask her to stay because she's drunk. No sense sending her home alone in a cab. Then, in the morning, when she's not drunk… remember she has the hots for you. Got it?"

"Ohhhh," Abe nodded as her words finally sunk in.

"She'd be good for you," Carol added, before kissing him quickly on the cheek and leaving Abe alone with a lot of new information to think about.

When she stepped back inside Daryl crept up behind her and wrapped her in a hug. "You ready to get out of here?" He asked seductively in her ear. Her body responded instantly despite the voice in her head reminding her she was annoyed with him. "Thought maybe we could head to your place. Get out of here."

Well this wasn't what she was expecting. "Yeah," she replied, telling herself it was more because she was tired than anything else. They said their goodbyes and headed to her place. Daryl had even left the drinking to her so he could drive them home. Carol was feeling buzzed, enough to loosen her filter dramatically as evident at the party, but not even close to being drunk.

The whole way home she sang along to the radio to try and distract from the irritation that was threatening to build to rage. She knew she was likely over reacting. He was going home with her now, so didn't it make what she was angry about moot? No, it didn't - he only wanted to come to her place because it was quiet and he was tired. Carol knew the jet lag and exhaustion had her thinking irrationally and crazy, but she couldn't make herself stop.

By the time they stepped through her front door she was ready to explode. She took a deep breath and spun, ready to attack. "Oh… wow… you look mad…" Daryl stammered. "What did I do?" he asked, eyes wide.

Carol's heart was pounding and the alcohol in combination with her anger was making it very difficult to concentrate, but she got out what she needed to say, "You didn't want to go to that party. You didn't want to spend another evening with me. If Merle hadn't planned that party you would be there sleeping and I would be here - alone."

Daryl was smiling. "You think Merle planned that party?" he asked.

"What? What are you talking about?" she snapped.

"He didn't plan the party Carol, I did…" His words took a long time to sink in. "I heard a bunch of old friends were in town and I wanted to surprise you. I thought you would like to see Glenn and Maggie, Rosita and Spencer..." He grinned wider. "And I kinda wanted them all to see us together."

"You planned it? For me?" Carol said, the ice quickly melting from her heart. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Daryl shrugged, "I thought I'd just let Merle take credit for putting a smile on your face and then I'd find another way to make you smile when we got back here." He reached for her, "I had no idea you would take it that way… How long have you been mad at me?"

Carol gave him an apologetic look. "Let's just say it's a good thing you were napping on the plane and didn't see the death stare you were getting."

He laughed. "You could have said something."

She shook her head, "The funny part is, I'm not usually passive aggressive like that. Oh well, it's over. Let's get back to that part where you were going to put a smile on my face…" She decided she wasn't going to feel foolish about the misunderstanding. The blame was completely shared, but it was also a reminder that open communication was best and she swore to live by that from that point on.

"Fuck, I've been wanting to do this all night," Daryl said, sweeping her off her feet into his arms and attacking her lips with a kiss that commanded her complete attention. It also opened the floodgates inside her and her desire for him released explosively, taking control of her entire body. She had to have him. Immediately. There was no time to waste. This would not be a slow ride not even close. She needed to be fucked. Maybe it was the alcohol making her feel more desperate, but that was the best word to describe her craving for him - desperate.

"Put me down," she commanded. "You gotta fuck me now… I need you now…" Carol pleaded with him. She made it clear she wasn't taking no for an answer while at the same time making it seem like it was still his choice. This would not be a teaching or learning moment, it was clear what she wanted and Daryl would give it to her. "Make it rough," she added, biting down hard on her lip. "You can show me how much you love me in the morning. Right now I want you to show my how badly you want to give me exactly what I want. You know what I want. Now give it to me."

Daryl crashed her into the wall and reached a hand behind her head to pull her mouth to his. He kissed her hard, attacking her mouth, as he roughly worked at her pants with his free hand. When he got them open he shoved a hand inside her panties reaching his fingers deep into her folds. He groaned, "fuck, you're so wet." He released her head and tore at his own pants, keeping the other hand right where it was, giving her a taste of what was to come as he prodded her, sinking his fingers into her slick core.

The second his dick sprung free Carol couldn't wait any longer. "Now Daryl, you gotta do it now." He was hard and ready. She wrapped her hand around his dick and squeezed, feeling it throb beneath her fingers. She squeezed a little harder and he groaned. If he wasn't going to give her what she wanted she would keep squeezing tighter until he did. Daryl tried to fuck her hand, but her grip was too tight. Finally he tore himself away, grabbed her roughly and spun her around.

He yanked her jeans and panties down in one pull and pressed his erection hard against the crack of her ass, gliding up and down as he rubbed against her. "Is this what you want?" he breathed into her ear.

"Fuck me Daryl," she hissed, trying to remain in control.

"Beg for it," he replied, continued to grind against her with his cock.

"No fucking way," she fought back. "I'm not begging. You're gonna do what you're told for once. Fuck me."

"Beg," he shot back. Carol shook her head and bent over, spreading her legs as far as her pants around her ankles would let her. A low groan escaped him and she felt her vaginal area throbbing with the erotic sound he'd just made. "Fine. You win," he grunted, plunging into her in one swift motion.

Carol cried out with pleasure, finally… finally she was getting what she wanted. Daryl didn't waste any time getting started. He fucked her, hard and rough, just like she'd asked for. At first she felt like she was going to fall forward, but finally relaxed as his grip tightened, holding her steady to receive his thrusts. She could hear the slaps as their bodies made contact over and over again. The sound itself turned her on even more.

Every time she thought he couldn't possibly fuck her any faster Daryl sped up and she took it happily. Being bent over for so long was making her incredibly woozy. Or maybe it's the vodka, Carol thought. That, combined with the steady thumping, shaking her entire body over and over again was making her head hurt. This must be what they mean by fucking your brains out, she thought, smiling at her own little joke. She was more than willing to take a little pain for so much pleasure.

She came - thoroughly, happily, blissfully - in a way left left her legs feeling like they were made of rubber. The only thing keeping Carol on her feet was him holding her up. Just when she was sure she was going to collapse she heard him grunt and the pounding stopped. Daryl kept himself buried deep inside her as he released.

When he pulled out and Carol tried to stand she almost fell over. He grabbed her quickly and pulled her against him. He was breathing hard, practically panting from exertion. She leaned against his chest, feeling it rise up and down rapidly and hearing the thumping of his heart. "You did good," she sighed.

"You make it easy," Daryl puffed, holding her tight. When he was breathing more normal and she was feeling a little less weak in the knees they made their way to the bedroom. Carol was absolutely exhausted and he looked incredibly tired. He was way better at going on little sleep than she was, but she could tell he was ready to crash.

They both stripped off any remaining clothes and pretty much fell into bed. Daryl snuggled close and spoke between yawns. It was somehow still romantic. "This will work. I promise you. I love you and we'll do this." He yawned again.

"I love you too and you're right, we will," Carol replied, closing her eyes. This time she wholeheartedly believed it.

The end!