It's been forever since I've updated. I have reasons and I assure this and my other stories aren't going to be abandoned. Now that things are hopefully leveling off for me (cross your fingers) I'm hoping to get my writing drive back. I have so many things I still want to do in this story. I can't guarantee updates are going to be rapid fire like I was but I am going to try and that is more than before. Sorry for the long waits between updates and my complete shittyness. Anyways...things are moving along.

Also to clarify the Joe from last chapter was NOT the Joe from TWD. He was made up. If you want an idea of what I had in mind think of...Joe Dirt...think of him when he's at the carnival leaned back on that railing in the coveralls trying to be sexy. LOL

Daryl burst into the house and slammed into his dad hard enough to take them both to the ground. The crash that echoed in the entry way was thunderous and he had no time to do anything but just groan. Before he could even process that he was falling he felt weight hit his back and he groaned as pain shot down his leg and into his groin. Will's leg was driving up into his thigh just having missed his family jewels. Will groaned below him trying to shift as Daryl struggled on top of him.

"Ow." Carol squeaked.

Daryl shifted and the weight on his back fell away as Carol spilled onto the ground next to his dad. She was sprawled out in an undignified mess. Before he could move though the door was slammed into his legs. Gritting his teeth he pushed himself up and started to move just as his brothers walked in.

"What the fuck kind of party did we just walk in on?" Merle eyed them walking around.

Merle grabbed Carol's hand hauling her up off the ground standing. She ignored his brothers as she dusted herself off and eyed Will. Both Will and Daryl were slower getting up and Will had him around the bicep before he could even dash for an escape.

"What the fuck were you running from coming in the house like that?" Will's eyes were on him and him only. The concern in his voice was palpable with an undercurrent of something else that made Daryl arch a brow. He'd ask him about that later.

"Wasn't running." Daryl mumbled trying to break free.

Mac leaned on the wall and waggled his eyebrows, "I bought you something."

"No." Daryl shook his head. "I don't want shit from you."

Dragging his hand from where it'd set on his hips hook in his belt he let it settle over his heart, "Well upon my honor."

"No." Daryl glared, "Keep it."

Mac gave him a look that had ice coating his veins. What the fuck did he do? Mac's smile fought across his face like two wolves fighting and Daryl shifted on foot. He didn't like that look aimed at him.

"Rude to turn down a gift brother." Merle sighed rubbing his face. "Jess said he'd be over later."

Will still not looking away from Daryl, "Good."

Daryl shifted again and glared at them all before breaking away. He started for the stairs and Mac chuckled as he went by. Carol was right behind him and whatever Mac done behind him made her face flush and her cheeks they got to his room she huffed and rubbed her side and thigh. Daryl looked away quickly refusing to watch the way her hand was massaging against herself. He was starting to worry himself with the thoughts he had about her.

"What do you think those two are up to?" Carol whispered with wide eyes.

Daryl shook his head, "I don't know but I don't trust either of them….my brothers don't give fucking gifts." he licked his lips looking around his room. There was that tension between them again that had the ice Mac put in his veins washing away. "The only thing they give anyone is a migraine and a STD."

"HEARD THAT!" Merle barked as he walked by the door. He paused and leaned around it looking at them, "You talk shit all you want but when you realize you got a dick swinging between those chicken legs of yours and not a pussy then you'll man up."

"Get out." Daryl growled.

His eyes went to Carol as she grabbed the water that set on his side table at all times. She apparently was comfortable enough with him now to just start taking what he was drinking for herself. Mac and Merle done the same shit but when they done it he wanted to kick their balls into their throats. Wherever Carol was concerned he just didn't care. She could have walked up and slapped him for no reason and he was pretty sure he'd be okay with it. It'd piss him off sure but goddamn there was something about her that just made everything alright.

Merle grinned and stepped into the doorway, "What did I offend your sensitive vagina?"

"I'm going to beat your ass." He felt his temper flaring. Between Joe's stupid fucking ass and his brothers today was just pissing him off.

"Take the first swing and then I'm going to make you regret that first breath."

Carol sucked in a breath her eyes wide and on Merle. Her eyes slitted in a second and she walked over her head cocked to the side. Daryl eyed her unsure what to think of the change that came over her. Merle turned his eyes on Carol when she stopped just shy of him as she regarded him. Merle must not have seen what he was because he felt his body tensing.

"Something I can help you with?" He leered.

Daryl knew it was a put on because Merle's words didn't meet his eyes. He was just trying to bother her and Daryl raised a brow. Since when did Merle's leer lose it's creepy quality.

"I believe in miracle….where you from you sexy thing, you sexy thang you." Mac's voice carried up the stairs almost to the room. "I believe in miracles since you came along, you sexy thang." His voice rising as he sung closer to the room.

"Well?" Merle leaned forward crowding Carol.

"You're a jerk."

"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM, BABY!" Mac bellowed in a horrifying sing song voice. " HOW DID YOU KNOW I'D GIVE MY HEART GLADLY!"

Carol's hand moved quick and Merle yelped jerking back. Eyes wide he stared at her as water sluiced down his face and shirt front. Carol held her drink that'd she stole from Daryl and glared at him.

"Oh fuck." Daryl muttered.

"Shiiiiiiiiiiit." Mac wheezed laughing looking between Carol and Merle.

"I think you need to cool your attitude off." She snapped grabbing the door knob. "Get out like he asked."

Carol thrust the door forward and Merle was forced to take a step back or get hit in the face. Carol turned wide eyed to Daryl and he grinned at her.

"That felt amazing."

He barked out a laugh head falling back his chest heaving with laughter. "Fuck."

Grunting when Carol suddenly slammed into him his arms went around her to balance her. She was laughing with him but he was having trouble breathing. It wasn't because he was hurt or healing either. Feeling her warm and pressed against him with her arms wrapped tightly around him was fucking with his head. What little air he did get wasn't doing any good since all the blood in his body was rushing south.

Carol leaned back her hands tightening on his shoulders for balance, "Did you see his face?"

Daryl's eyes roved over her face and he licked his lips. She was smiling widely her face flushed with her eyes only on him. Nodding his head not sure what would come out of his mouth. He was starting to realize he was more like his brothers than he thought. It was startling because all he could think about was all the surfaces he wanted to pin her against.

Carol studied his face her own eyes dark and he had to question if the almost animal need he felt was the same for her. He wanted to think so but he didn't believe it. Nah Carol was too innocent for the shit in his head. He felt like a filthy pervert knowing very well that she was inexperienced. Taking a breath he stepped back some putting space between their bodies. Carol frowned at him seconds before her fingers dug into his shoulders.

"Did I do something?" her lip jutted out as her words washed over his frantic mind.

Slowing his breathing and forcing himself to focus. "No." his voice was strained.

Carol stepped back into him her eyes getting wider, "Then how come you keep pulling away from me? I thought you….I.." Carol looked around the room her face getting read, "I think I misunderstood." Her voice was low and embarrassed.

Carol let go of him and he seen tears well up in her eyes. Growling to himself at his inability to just say fuck it. He couldn't damn well help his body's reaction to her he just didn't think she would appreciate it. Grabbing her he spun her back to him his mouth descending on hers before he could lose his nerves. He didn't deepen the kiss but instead broke away from her his breathing even deeper.

"You didn't misunderstand, Carol."

Her eyes glazed looked up at him from his lips and he smiled. "No?"

"No."

Carol nodded and her tongue peaked out at him before she pulled him back to her. She wasn't as gentle as he was and demanded entrance to his mouth almost immediately. Smiling against her mouth he snorted when her nerves hit her. Taking over he lead the kiss and she was clinging to him even more panting.

Pulling back and pushing her hair back from where it framed her face, "We gotta get shit together for tonight."

Carol's glazed eyes suddenly started clearing and she gave him an evil smile. Was it just moments ago he'd convinced himself she was innocent? He was seven kinds of fucked.