Author's Note: Back again, kind of sick right now though. And my brain is at like 30 percent of what it should be, hopefully this chapter makes sense, I can't even tell at the moment.
It had been a few days sense Carol's incident with the water, and Daryl had been watching her like a hawk. Not that she blamed him, of course she didn't even remember trying to boil herself alive. In fact, all she remembered was clueing out a little bit, and by the state of her hands apparently left them in the water because she was going to do dishes. She didn't think that it was an attempt at taking her own life; she hadn't even meant to do it! It had just been a stupid accident that had very bad timing.
There was no telling Daryl that though, he wouldn't leave her alone for a single moment, even going as far as sending in Merle to sit next to her when he was forced to go to work. She let it be though, not even really minding that someone was always there. It sucked being alone anyway and she felt that she might blank out again if left alone. Daryl's company was totally welcome, and except for that one time where he hadn't let her go to the bathroom, they hadn't had any incident. That incident was not to be mentioned either, to awkward for either of them to deal with; they had both fallen into an embarrassed sleep that night, still absolutely red in the face. The next day she had laughed about it slightly, but it had still been embarrassing.
Still, her bruises from the "fight" she had with Ed were starting to heal and she was starting to think about going back to her house. She didn't ever want to go back to Ed now, the marriage was over in her eyes, but she wanted to be able to pack her stuff and say good bye to him. Then where would she go? She couldn't stay here forever; she already had been taking Daryl's bed from him for way to long. She saw him moving stiffly yesterday and offered to sleep on the couch instead. He had only frowned at her and then growled out a, "woman deserve better then a dusty old couch."
He had looked insulated that she had even said such a thing and Carol wondered if it hurt his pride for her to say that. She hadn't really thought it through very much and had only meant to help, but Daryl had taken it wrong. "God damn it woman, you need to be comfortable right now, don't go worrying about anyone but yerself."
Daryl had stomped off after that, only to come back in seconds later as if to remember that he didn't want to leave her alone. He was still a bit mad though, and Carol felt kind of flattered, no one had cared that much in a long time. Daryl was still asleep on the floor when she crawled out of bed and she managed to leave the room without waking him. Merle was already awake though, reading the newspaper at the table. He looked up when he realized she was there and that Daryl wasn't following.
Carol swallowed harshly and looked back at Merle positive that he would say no before she even got the chance to ask. "Would you drive me back to my house today?" She asked, tensing herself up and ready for the backlash. While she realized that Daryl was safe and kind and never came near without reason; Merle was loud, strong and loud. She hadn't quite decided if she trusted him yet, even though Andrea seemed to with her life.
Merle just stared for a few moments before nodding his head and Carol's eyes widened in surprise; she didn't think he would just agree! Merle than went on with it and stated with a laugh; "Yeah, ya need to get back to that house a yers anyway, need ta get yer clothes. Ya don' really fit inta my brothers."
Carol looked done at the clothes she was wearing; a large shirt (way too big for her) and pair of old sweats pants that she couldn't even picture Daryl wearing but he owned them anyway. They were held up by a belt, which she had watched Daryl make a hole in for it to even work for her. She had complained when he had done it, saying he shouldn't ruin his clothes for her. That was another instance where he had snapped angrily at her, saying "Ya need pants that will stay up, so of course I'm gonna help you with that. I wouldn't make ya walk around naked." He had left the room and circled back in minutes later yet again after that, she hadn't said anything about it after that, not wanting to anger him farther. She hadn't meant to sound like she was calling him perverted in the first place.
Carol laughed slightly at that thought; Daryl was hardly perverted for a guy. Merle was definitely the pervert in the family; it was kind of easy to tell. Daryl would sleep in the room with her, but never go near her, watching carefully from afar. She couldn't help wonder if he didn't have any interest in her or if he was interested and didn't know how to go about beginning something. (Not that she thought about beginning something with Daryl she was a married woman after all)
"Yeah, I was hoping to pick up some clothes and a few other things." She whispered looking down at the ground. She looked up when Merle snorted before answering again, "Ask mah brother when he gets up, he don' gotta work today. He'll take ya there and if he don' I will." Carol frowned at his, he had just said he would but now she had to ask Daryl. "Don't frown at me like that girl, I got shit I wanna do taday too. Andy wants ta go fer a picnic." Merle grinned.
Carol really didn't want to worry Daryl; that was why she had asked Merle in the first place. Though she couldn't be mad if he had plans with Andrea. Andy was a cute nickname though and she couldn't help but grin at that, she hadn't picture Merle being one for cute nicknames. She was also a little bit surprised that Andrea wanted to go for something like a picnic; she couldn't exactly jump him outside in the open. Or she could and probably would; it would just be awkward to be caught. Carol slightly wished Merle luck for the future before returning her thoughts back to the problem at hand. She wasn't so sure that Daryl would say yes, he had already pretty much said that she shouldn't return to her house. Carol nodded her head to Merle before retreating her way back into the bedroom where Daryl was still sleeping on the floor.
She went over and touched his face lightly and he did nothing but lean into it. That made her smile a tiny bit, sometimes he acted like such a child. When she went to pull her hand away his went up and grabbed her holding it in place against his face. Carol watched as Daryl's eyes tiredly flicked open, and stared directly into hers. "Wha, ya doing up so early?" He slurred.
Carol was beginning to notice a pattern in that; he always seemed to slur his voice when tired. His voice seemed to only get deeper and accent stronger, the more asleep he was. Carol pulled back her hand and gave him a small smile, which he returned still too out of the world to even know if he was awake or dreaming. Maybe she could actually chance asking him and he wouldn't scream at her for having such a stupid idea, would push her back onto the bed and say he knew she had a suicide wish and he wasn't ever going to let her leave. Daryl was a nice guy, a good man; so much better then Ed, right?
Carol swallowed harshly before hiding her courage, "Would you drive me back to my house today?"
Daryl's face lost its smile.