AN:hey guys, sorry so short, got called in to work quite a bit this weekend (nights:s) Anyway let me know what you think:)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 14

Daryl couldn't seem to stop touching her. His hands moved up and down her back in a continuous pattern, reassuring himself too that she was real. Her body was trembling, but her sobs seemed to be dissipating.

He could see a man holding a toddler making his way toward them, Asskicker he thought with a smile, but didn't move, he could feel numerous eyes on them but he just didn't give a fuck. They could just fucking wait, he would hold her forever if she wanted him too. Gradually her tears seemed to stop flowing, her body stopped trembling but her head stayed firmly resting on his shoulder. Her arms which had been grasping the front of his shirt , wound around his waist and squeezed him tightly, he responded by doing the same. She gradually pulled her head back to stare at him, bringing her fingers up to touch his face again. A look of awe on her face. "Daryl" she whispered speaking to him for the first time directly.

He waited for her to finish what she was going to say, but she stopped as though she was having trouble speaking. Bringing his hands up he cupped her cheeks. They'd never kissed before, he wanted to kiss her lips, badly, but he wanted to be alone with her for that, when that fuse was lit, there would be no stopping him.

The past two days on the road had been hell, knowing Carol was so close, he would have driven all night but the run group had insisted they make regular stops, Alexandria rules on the run. Carol had detailed her feelings for him in her letter for Tyreese, but all along he'd worried that maybe things had changed, that she'd moved on, forgotten about him. That had been his biggest fear. The three assholes Paul, Perez, and Miller talked about her like she was a goddess, if he was honest he was a little jealous, leave it to Carol to find a group of all men he thought with a grin. Daryl was pretty sure the fucker Paul was in love with her, but Paul was out of fucking luck. As far as Daryl was concerned he'd claimed Carol for himself a long time ago, maybe since he'd seen her put the pick axe, in her dead fucking husband's head.

He had no doubts anymore, looking in her eyes, he could see her feelings shinning in her eyes. He was such an idiot, he knew her better than anyone he should never have doubted her. What they had was real, it was a tether between the two of them that would never be broken.

Carol's eyes were a window, they were so expressive. He humbled by what he saw, she hadn't forgotten him, she hadn't pushed her feelings aside. Daryl pressed his forehead to Carol's and stared at her. They needed to be alone soon,...fuck it he didn't care if they had an audience he thought leaning in...

A voice clearing their throat snapped him back to reality as Carol made a move like she intended to step away. Fuck that, he thought and pressed his hand gently on the small of her back, holding her close, he never wanted to let go of her. Daryl looked up to see Paul the motherfucker standing there. He pulled Carol even closer, a silent message in his eyes. It would be a long time, maybe never before the urge he felt to touch her continuously went away.

Paul coughed "We should all probably head over to the house and talk".

Daryl nodded and spoke, his voice cracking with emotion as his chin brushed her temple "okay, drive or walk?"

The one holding Judith spoke up, "we walked here"

Paul nodded staring at the back of Carol's head once again resting on Daryl's shoulder.

"Perez and I needed to update the council. Why don't you and Miller drive them back to the house, we will meet you there"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

They sat on the couch together Daryl's arm around her waist his hand anchoring her securely to his side.

There was an awkward silence in the room, Paul and Perez had just returned after being gone for awhile. The remaining group had eaten and chatted. Thomas the doctor had filled him in on everything Carol's new little group had been through.

When they got to the house Judith had walked up to Daryl and with outstretched arms demanding "Up". She'd examined his face in detail then looked at Carol in question. Carol had smiled and said "this is Daryl" he'd been somewhat surprised when Jude had excitedly proclaimed "Daweell!" And thrown her chubby little arms around his neck. Daryl had chocked back tears, and Michonne did too when Carol had told them that Judith knew all the names of the prison group, she'd been telling Jude stories about them every night.

"We had an impromptu council meeting, they've given me the okay to invite your group, to come stay here" Paul said nodding at Daryl as Carol's face bloomed into a smile.

"I can't speak for the rest of them, but I'm definetly staying wherever Carol is" Daryl responded his hand on her waist squeezing slightly.

Paul nodded,"We can send a team tommorrow, from what you tell me it's only three days there, if all goes well we could be there and back in a week."

Daryl saw the panicked expression on Carol's face her hand shot out and gripped his thigh, he was about to speak up when Michonne did instead

"There's no need for Daryl to come, he should stay here with Carol and Jude, I can lead you to the school"

Paul had nodded and then got up, leaving the room.

"Thanks" Daryl said to Michonne when he was gone.

They'd decided to settle in early for the night, the run group being exhausted. Daryl knew Carol would normally be zooming around making arrangements for everyone to sleep, but she still seemed a little shell shocked.

Thomas spoke up "Michonne you can have my room, I'll sleep on the floor in Perez's room." He turned to Carol "We'll take Judith for the night, I think the two of you need to...talk"

AN: next chapter will be smut if I don't chicken out:p smut is not my strong point. ( writing wise anyway lol)

Thank you so much for the reviews on the last chapter!that was the most reviews for one chapter I ever received! I try to send out thank you's for reviews but please know if I miss you, or am taking a few days to get one out, I appreciate every single one, and favorites and follows. I am new to writing, hearing that you like what I am doing really motivates me:)