"It this real?" Carol asked, wandering around the kitchen in awe. "Seriously, am I dreaming?" While Rosita went with Eugene to see the doctor and Abraham wandered around pouting, Aaron had brought her and Daryl to the house they would be living in. It had 4 bedrooms so the 5 of them would be sharing it, but for the time being her and Daryl were alone to explore. Someone named Deanna wanted to meet them a little later, after they had a chance to rest and wash up.

Aaron had even had a young woman bring them clean clothes to put on. He said they could check out the clothing storage later and pick out several things they wanted. There was also a pantry and Aaron said to find Olivia later to get some food for their home.

"I ain't never lived in a place so fancy," Daryl muttered as he flipped the tap on and off quickly. The house actually was extremely nice, a lot nicer than the home she'd lived in with Ed that was for sure. Clearly someone around there knew a thing or two about interior decorating.

"Me neither," Carol replied, walking over to him. She wanted to make sure he knew she understood and felt a bit awkward herself. "But this place… it's ours," she finished with a smile. "Let's go upstairs and pick out our bedroom…or bedrooms," she added, giving him a look. She didn't want to be presumptuous, even though they'd been sleeping together for weeks, even when there were other rooms available.

"Bedroom," he replied. "I mean, if that's what ya want…" Carol saw the slight pink in his cheeks and kissed one of them. She loved how he was still a little awkward and shy, even after all the times they'd been intimate and everything they had shared. If she was being completely honest she really hadn't needed to ask about the bedrooms, she knew they both agreed they were an established couple at that point, but there was something different about living in a community and having the potential for social rules and normalcy. If they were a dating couple in their old lives they wouldn't necessarily share a house, let alone a bed. Oh well, she thought, this is perfect. She couldn't have imagined being separated, even by a wall and doors at that point.

"Let's take this one," Carol announced. "King bed and an en suite." Those were two things she'd always wanted and now here they were, being handed to her. "You know… it's been awhile since we've showered… ya wan…"

"Yes," Daryl replied eagerly before she even finished. Carol knew he didn't care as much as she did about not getting to shower regularly so she was happy he was so willing even if it had nothing to do with the shower itself, but what was inevitably going to happen between them in the shower.

It had been a long time since they'd actually really taken their time when they made love. Lately it had been quickies whenever they had a chance since they never knew when they might have a chance again. There was also the fact that they had never had sex in the shower before so it was new for them. They both got their bodies wet and took turns soaping up, but it wasn't long before they were running their hands all over each other's bodies instead of their own.

It felt amazing to have Daryl's hands slipping over her breasts as the hot water sprayed down on top of them. She had the bar of soap and she rubbed it over his chest and then down his belly and around to his ass. Carol soaped up his butt, enjoying the feel of it in her hands.

Somehow they managed to get through shampooing their hair and washing their bodies, letting the anticipation build up higher and higher. When Daryl couldn't take it anymore he grabbed her leg, shoved her back against the wall of the shower and shoved into her. Carol gasped at how quickly it happened after such a long wait, but it was immediately followed by a moan as he filled her up, finally giving her what her body had wanted for so long.

Daryl fucked her slowly as he kissed her mouth. She moved up and down with him so as not to break the sensual kiss. It was the first time in so long they really had the time to enjoy each other and they took full advantage of it.

After a few minutes Carol stopped him and sunk to her knees. With the water splashing in her face she took his dick in her mouth and sucked him. Daryl's groan echoed in the shower, even over the sound of the water. His cock was hard already but she could feel it get even stiffer inside her mouth, throbbing each time she sucked. Finally she felt him touch her head and Carol knew if she kept going she would finish him off. It was her choice and she decided she wanted to be fucked a little longer first.

So she stood up, turned around and bent over, ready to take all of him one more time. But Daryl teased her a little bit first, rubbing the tip of his erection over her opening a few times, just barely penetrating each time. The next time she was ready and Carol pushed back at just the right time. She felt his hands move to her hips as Daryl gave in and pushed even deeper into her pussy. He stayed deep, with slow, short strokes and Carol quickly felt her body responding to the spot he was hitting. He'd definitely found the right spot and somehow he knew it.

Before long she was feeling dizzy, but it wasn't from being bent over or the hot water, it was because she was so close to coming. She reached back and grabbed his legs, and stood up on her tiptoes to take him just that tiny bit further, just enough to send her flying and then free falling into bliss. Carol was pretty sure she cried out, loudly, but she didn't care. Nothing that felt so good could be held back. She might feel embarrassed later, if she found out someone else was in the house, but right then - nothing could ruin the perfection of that moment.

When they got out of the shower a little while later Carol would have happily curled up in the bed and went to sleep for the night even though it was still early in the day. After visiting with Deanna she wished she had of. "I really don't want to go to this party," she sighed, plopping down on a chair in the kitchen.

"Let's blow it off, this ain't my thing either," Daryl looked at her hopefully.

"We can't," she sighed again, followed by a smile when Daryl reacted with a full on pout. "We don't have to stay long, but we do have to go. I heard they have booze. Maybe a drink or two and then we make our escape. Okay?"

"Oh fine," he grumbled.

Rosita appeared wearing a cute dress with a long cardigan over top. "Aw, you look lovely," Carol gushed.

"Thanks," she said with a bright smile. "Eugene will be spending the next couple nights in the infirmary, so after the party I'm gonna sleep there tonight, just to make sure he doesn't feel alone…" Carol could tell that Rosita cared about Eugene. Either that, or she had spent so much time protecting him that it was just second nature. But either way, it was nice that she felt the need to keep him company. "Anyway, can you guys just keep an eye on Abe for me? Make sure he comes home… he's exhausted. He really needs to rest."

"Of course," Carol agreed with a nod.

"Thank you," Rosita replied. "I'm just gonna go find him and see if I can get him to come to the party."

"Bribe him with whiskey," Daryl muttered, giving Carol a look.

Rosita smiled, "That just might work." She gave a little wave, "See you guys there."

Carol watched her go and realized they should be getting to Deanna's house. But something was eating at her. It had been since they arrived. This was the kind of place she had dreamed of raising her daughter. All those nights she would lay in bed beside Ed, wishing for something more, something safe - a place where her and Sophia could be happy… this was the kind of place she wanted. A community, with people who cared about one another.

"You okay?" Daryl asked. "You're crying… what's wrong?" He was by her side, touching her shoulder. Carol hadn't even realized she was crying until he mentioned it. "Carol?"

She brushed away the tears running down her cheeks. "I was just thinking about Sophia," she admitted. "She would have loved it here…"

Daryl stepped closer and she leaned her head against him. "Yeah, she woulda," he agreed, touching her hair gently. "She'd also be very happy to know her mama is safe," Daryl added. Carol knew he was right, but it was still so hard to think about her baby. There were days she wanted to run back to Atlanta, back to that camp, and search some more. She would always wonder if they had given up too soon. It was something that would haunt her the rest of her life no matter how good she was at rationalizing it. It would always feel like giving up because she would always be left to wonder if Sophia was still out there alive somewhere.

Carol pushed the thoughts away for the millionth time, knowing they would be back again soon enough. "I'm okay," she said, giving Daryl's hand a squeeze. "Let's go get this over with."

They walked together to Deanna's. There were others arriving at the same time and Carol was already getting tired of introducing the two of them. "Come on," she whispered, leading Daryl to the bar area. "Let's get this party started." Carol poured them both a drink. Vodka and some kind of fizzy soda for her and whisky for him.

"I'm so glad you came," a voice spoke from behind them. "Sometimes we throw these little get togethers to welcome the new people and they don't show up." Carol turned and gave Deanna a pleasant smile. She liked the tiny woman already and several others seemed nice enough. Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad after all. "We've been lucky with the last few recruits… got some good ones." Carol nodded, but didn't speak. "Actually, before Aaron found you all, we hadn't had any new residents in a while. The last to arrive was that guy, right over there…" Carol's gaze followed where Deanna was pointing and she immediately choked on her drink.

"Holy shit... " she gasped.

Daryl clued in right around the same time. "Fuck," he whispered. "It can't be…"

"Shane?" Carol looked at Deanna for confirmation because she was in complete shock.

Deanna was looking at them both strangely. "You met Officer Walsh already?"

"Something like that," Daryl muttered.

"He's a very brave man," Deanna continued. "He found a chopper… somewhere in Georgia - flew it until the gas ran out… Aaron found him, living out of the helicopter, brought him here." Her eyes were scanning the room. "Oh there, just coming in," she pointed. "There's his little crew." Carol turned slowly towards the door and suddenly her entire body felt hot. "The boy, his name is Carl and the girl…"

"Sophia," Carol finished for her. "Sophia," she got out one more time before the room started to spin. She felt Daryl's hand on her arm, holding her up. Blackness was threatening to take her. This can't be real. It's a dream. It's not real… Everyone else in the room disappeared the second her baby girl spotted her. Their eyes met and the blackness dissipated completely. "Sophia," she whispered. And they both started to run…