Hello everybody! Here is another chapter: it's another little bridge we have to cross before something important can happen. I'll reconnect with the original story in a few chapter, maybe less, but I'll make some variations. I hope you like this and let me know your opinion. It's very important for me to know how you like this story. Ok, have a wonderful weekend!

-Lia-

Chapter 13

Daryl went into the Kingdom the next day. He had woken up content even if Carol wasn't on top of him. The thought made him sneer, that was another first time. Just the thought of being this close to another person while being awake made his hair stand up on attention some months ago, being with another person so close to him while sleeping was something he never even thought about. He didn't trust anyone, except Merle but he was family, and here he was raking his brains on how he could have Carol soft curves on him again. There wasn't anything sexual about it ( well that was half a lie, his brain reproached him) it was just for the happiness of being with her when they were the most vulnerable.

After those kisses they spend a little time talking and then took separate sleeping arrangements. Carol knew he needed time to adjust to this new development and he knew she needed him to be ok with it. They bid their goodnight with a light peck on the cheek and that was all. This morning they shared breakfast, a few glances from him toward her had him finding her already looking at him with a new light in her eyes. He thought about kissing her, just to reassure her and himself, but then he didn't find the courage and just left the cabin. He could walk through an herd of walkers, kill them with his bare hands and still he didn't have the balls to make the first move after she made her intentions clear as day. He shook his head, cursing himself once again for his poor social skills.

He had to concentrate on preparing those kids to the war. Thinking about Carol was only distracting him and that was not tolerable. He had to keep Carol safe and safety, this time, was in the numbers. They needed the Kingdom's people and they needed them ready to fight. Negan's reign of terror had to stop. The guys in front of him were making progress. He was thinking about some shooting lessons in the woods, kill a few animals to make them boost with the community for providing dinner. It could be good for everyone and, frankly, he missed being in the nature. These last days were divided between the cabin and the Kingdom, the only time he spent outside one of them was when he walked back home and the day he caught that deer. This fleeting thought made him realize that Rick and the others hadn't come back yet. He hated being left behind, even if it was for his safety. He didn't like them being out finding a way to defeat Negan while he was stuck here with this dumbasses. He just sighed and made a mental note to go ask Morgan for news.

Carol was outside chopping logs. The sun was warm and the birds were singing again. It looked like the old life, doing a mundane activity. That if she didn't think about the truths Daryl confessed to her during these last few days.

She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that a crazy man was walking with a baseball bat, killing people. This was a crazy world nowadays but this was Stephen King's craziness. Before Daryl knocked on her door, she swore to herself she would never kill another person. Every single person she had assassinated was still impressed in her memory, she still had that diary where she kept count of her actions. She could not throw it away, she needed the reminder if her conscience wasn't enough. Glenn's death brought everything back into play. Her people were readying themselves for war, could she stay back and wait? She knew without a doubt that, when it will be time, Daryl was going to be in the first line. He was a loyal man, he would not be left behind not even for her. On the other hand, she would never ask him not to fight, she knew him to well.

When she had enough woods to last for a few nights, she collected it and went back inside the house. She let them fall next to the fireplace and, noticing her dirty clothes, she decided to go take a shower. She didn't want Daryl to come back and see her this way. Thinking about Daryl made a blush appear on her cheeks. She went to the bathroom turning in her head the events of the night before, replaying every single details of the moments she and Daryl had shared. She had often thought about kissing Daryl but never she had figured his awkwardness . He seemed almost inexperienced. Was it possible? Well, his temper wasn't an easy one but to her it was impossible that not one girl took a little time to know him better or at least to have a one night stand with him.

She didn't real wanted to know about it. She couldn't think about their previous lives before the apocalypse or herself doubt would come back. Ed had done wonders on her, killing her self esteem, her personality, everything she had after accepting his damn ring on her finger. The only good thing about her marriage was Sophia but she was too weak to protect her daughter, as Daryl had pointed out a night. Maybe she was being weak again. Her choice to leave her family was an egoistic one, not caring about the people she left behind. She knew the war was coming, she tried to keep the thought as far from her mind as possible but as soon as she closed her eyes she could picture this black figure walking in front of her family with baseball bat in his hands ready to kill a member of their group. It was time to make a choice.

Daryl went to Morgan after showing the kids how to disassemble

a gun. Time to take the next step, the clock was ticking. He found the black man in the gazebo at the center of the little city, showing a kid how to use his stick. That's plain stupid, Daryl thought. The saviors had guns and knives and everything, no man could face them with a simple wooden stick. For the time being he let it slide, knowing what kind of man Morgan was before he changed his view of life. He respected Carol's decision, so he had to do the same with the man.

"Hey" he shouted, deciding not to come too close to the kid. Morgan face whipped toward his voice, concern written on his face. Daryl felt himself grow tense thinking about whom Morgan was concerned about. He obviously respected Carol but was there more? Have they...? A strange feeling spread to his whole body making his fist clench.

Morgan joined him "What's the matter?" he asked.

Daryl took a calming breath before asking in a cold voice "Is Rick back?". He hadn't seen the man but maybe he was distracted between Carol and the guys.

Morgan shook his head, walking toward the theatre where Ezekiel usually was. "No. They didn't. They are still out there. Could be good". Daryl muttered something Morgan didn't understand.

"Let me know if they back" he said already walking toward his crossbow.

"Daryl?" Morgan called him back. "You said it to her?" he inquired. He was curious, he hadn't seen Daryl come back to sleep in the city so he must be still with Carol.

"What do you care?" Daryl said back, taking the few steps separating them. His eyes narrowed and almost black from fury. What did he care about his relation with Carol?

Morgan raised his hand in surrender "I am just curious. She'll know sooner or later." he said calmly.

"You plan on telling her?" Daryl was almost nose to nose to him. It was an instinctual reaction, he was used to react this way and sometimes it was hard to get rid of a habit. Even more when Carol wasn't next to him scolding him just with a glance and a word. Morgan shook his head, a serious expression on his face. "Good" Daryl turned his back to him and marched out of town.