A/N: OUCH! Well how was that for a MSF? I have mixed emotions about it. But those are for another day. Sigh. Anyway, did we all enjoy the last chapter? This one is mixed angst/fluff/comfort but I think some of you will be pleased ;) I've noticed quite a few new readers recently so welcome and glad you seem to be enjoying! And to my band of loyal 'regulars' thank you for letting me fill your heads with my Caryl ramblings - LET ME LOVE YOU ALL! We are coming to the final few chapters my loves, but fear not... these two (and Sophia!) will be back! I also have *ideas* for other fics so watch this space! Anyway, enough of my babbling... Chapter 25!

Disclaimer: TWD and its characters are property of Kirkman, AMC, blah blah BLAAAH!

Chapter 25

The pain gripped his body like razor sharp claws as sleep started to fade away, and he became aware that his entire body felt like it had been run over by a freight train. He'd been crushed up in the same position in a chair for hours. There was a hand in his, warm and still, something stuck to it that definitely didn't feel like it was meant to be there. As he tried to stir, he found he couldn't move. He felt like he had been cast in cement, his body so stiff that even the slightest movement seemed impossible. Strange blankets he didn't recognise under his face, and that smell… that hospital smell.

He pushed through the pain to lift his head and within a second of his eyes creaking open he remembered everything. The first thing he saw was her delicate little hand, with the IV line anchored into her soft skin. Bruises dappled her skin, some on her arms blooming like mould from where Ed had put his hands on her. Her throat too was stained with his murderous taint, and Daryl's jaw clenched hard. It killed him to see her lying there, so tiny and fragile, like she might break if he touched her. But she was here, and she wasn't fragile at all. She was strong, he realised. Stronger than anyone he'd ever known. He ran his thumb over her knuckles and brought her hand to his mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers.

Even in her exhausted state she looked like an angel. Her hair was all messed up from sleep, jutting out in wild kinks from her head. Her skin was pale but her expression peaceful at last. He allowed himself the tiniest of smiles but it quickly dissipated when he thought of what she'd had to endure - what she might have gone through if he hadn't come back when he did. What that fucker had done to her, it made his fists clench until his nails bit into his palms. His gut tied in a painful knot as visions of the day before flooded his memory. The moment he realised something was wrong, the panic and rage that had come over him, and then Sophia's scared little face mooning up at him as he'd told her to get in the truck and lock the doors. When he'd burst in the door and seen Ed with his hand around her throat, the biblical fury that had burned in his veins and his throat and his fists. The strength he'd found that he never realised he could possess as he'd hauled Ed off of her, and then the rage. He'd landed a few blows until Ed got his bearings and turned on him. It was hazy from that moment, until a sickeningly blunt crack and the sound of a body hitting the floor pulled him back. Still, none of it mattered now. That bastard wouldn't hurt her, not ever again.

A soft moan drew him out of his thoughts as Carol stirred awake, blinking sleep away and pausing briefly, her eyes darting around in confusion at her strange surroundings. The fleeting panic that crossed her features faded when her eyes came to rest on Daryl, and she smiled. It barely hid a grimace at the pain she was clearly putting a brave face on, but it warmed his bones to see that smile light up her face again.

"Hey," he murmured.

"Hey yourself," she croaked back, her voice breaking at the end and sending her into a coughing fit.

Daryl poured her some water and helped her sit up a little to drink. She sipped small mouthfuls until the coughing subsided. She sighed in exhaustion, her body seemingly almost drained again of what little energy she'd had upon waking.

"Thank you," she gasped, sinking back into the pillows and closing her eyes against the fatigue.

Daryl sat quietly by her bedside, his elbows propped up on the bed, taking her hand in both of his again and resting his chin on them, his eyes never straying from her face. Carol opened her eyes and turned to look at him.

"What happened? How did I-"

"You passed out," Daryl answered, stroking her fingers. "You were dehydrated, exhausted."

"How long have you been sitting there?"

"All night," Daryl gave her a half smile. "Kept me in too, but I told 'em I wasn't wearin' no damn gown with the ass cut out. "

Carol chuckled and winced at the pain that jack-knifed through her ribs. Daryl started towards her in panic before he realised she was just sore. He threw her an apologetic look and snorted a little laugh as he concluded she was alright.

Carol returned the smile but it faded quickly and she struggled to sit up quickly. "Sophia. Where's Soph-"

"Relax," he interrupted her, pushing her back into the pillows. "She's fine. She's with Lori."

Carol sank down into the pillows, her eyes closing again, clearly overwhelmed with just waking up in strange surroundings and seemingly not yet remembering the grisly details of the day before. Daryl wanted nothing more than to hold her, to erase it all from her memory with his touch before she got the chance to recall any of it. He knew he couldn't though, he would just need to be here to soothe her when it all came back. Her grip on his hand tightened and for a second he feared there was something wrong, until he realised she was just squeezing it.

"How ya feelin'?"

"Lousy," she chuckled. "Like I've been run over. You don't look too hot yourself."

"Gee, thanks," he huffed in amusement.

"How are you feeling?" She asked sincerely, thumbing his knuckles gently. "You look pretty rough."

"Had worse," he grunted truthfully. "I'll live."

She offered him a faint smile, but he could see the question lurking uncertainly behind it and he swallowed, his throat suddenly like sandpaper. He knew before her lips moved what she was going to ask him, and he'd have given anything to keep her from it all.

"Ed…" she croaked, her voice still dry and raspy.

Daryl looked at her softly, unable to find words that could somehow ease the impact, knowing that she would instantly blame herself, that somehow she would find a way to feel bad despite finally being free. His brain resisted, the words disappearing into the shadows and leaving him sitting there drowning in silence.

Realisation crept across her face. Daryl held his breath as he waited for it to sink in, waited for her to break, to be sorry, scared. She looked thoughtful, her eyes falling to her hand, her fingers woven through his. He could see her trying to process the unspoken information, more questions and uncertainties lurking.

"When?" She asked, her eyes locked firmly on their hands.

"Last night, 'bout a half hour after they brought him in." Daryl studied her, trying to work out which way the scales would tip.

She nodded, and he could see her steeling herself against the enormity of it all, against the tidal wave that he knew was coming. Her bottom lip quivered as she offered him a flimsy smile of reassurance that she was okay. His grip on her hand tightened, trying to somehow give her the strength to fight it, but he knew it was pointless. Carol's face crumpled as the tsunami swept over her, silent at first as she tried to swallow it back, then giving way to huge, heart rending sobs rattling out from her throat that made him launch out of his chair to gather her in his arms. Her body was limp and it scared the shit out of him, like she wasn't even in control anymore. He didn't question her tears; he understood. They weren't for Ed, not directly. Everything had finally crashed down on her, and this was how she got to let go of it. One wave crested and fell leaving her unable to catch a breath, before she finally drew breath and unravelled again. She cried against his neck as he cradled her head in his hand, closing his eyes and willing all of her pain, all of her fear to leave her. His fingers soothed the back of her head, gently nestling in her short kinks as he let her cling to him, rocking her softly as it all left her.

"Shhh, I gotcha," he whispered. "I gotcha sweetheart."

xOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOxOx

The next day Daryl left to go pick up a few of her things from the house, and Carol had dozed off for a little while. It was a broken sleep, perforated with sudden jolts awake and dreams of punishment. From Ed, the police… dreams where she would wake and find that none of it had even happened, and she was still married to Ed, still under his rule. Dreams where she'd be running and running, and getting nowhere, like her legs were trapped in the mud. She could feel him gaining on her, his breath snorting down her nape like a raging bull, barrelling down on her.

The dream she found herself in now, she was in the forest. It was peaceful all around her, a gentle haze blurring the outlines of the trees, like a soft filter on a photograph. She could hear voices calling her through the woods, Sophia's sweet, light laughter echoing between the trunks, mingling with birdsong. She followed it as another voice joined, rough and warm, and full of promise. Her feet picked up the pace as the voices grew fainter, stepping quickly at first and then flat out running, until she came to a clearing. She could see them playing tag between the huge redwood towers, Sophia ducking and weaving, and Daryl struggling to keep up with her. The vision filled her with peace and warmth, and she knew she was home. Daryl and Sophia looked up and smiled at her, and as she took a step towards them she couldn't breathe.

She was choking, her throat constricted to the point no air or sound could pass through. Suddenly she was being pulled backwards, and Daryl was running after her as fast as his legs could carry him, but she was moving faster. The hand that had been around her throat was now sunk into her arm, like it had been so many times before, and she knew who it belonged to. She screamed Daryl's name, wailed it until she felt her lungs would burst, but nothing came out of her mouth. She struggled to break free, fought with all her might, and managed to get away. Now she was alone in the forest, but it wasn't peaceful like before. It was dark, shadows circling around her like wolves, and she could hear him breathing at her from every direction. A hand closed around her arm and now she was being shook.

Carol…

A voice called to her through the haze, one she vaguely recognised, but not from her dream. The shaking continued.

Carol…

The forest was slipping away.

"Carol, sweetie?"

Carol's eyes flickered as reality came to wash away her nightmare. She forced her eyelids apart to reveal a worried looking Lori perched on the edge of her seat, her hand now resting gently where she'd been shaking her only moments ago. Her face felt cold, and wet, her head swimming with sleep.

"Hey, it's okay," Lori hushed her.

"I was dreaming," Carol whispered, her dry throat failing her again.

"Yeah I know… I think everyone on the floor knows." Lori joked.

"Was I talking in my sleep?"

"I wouldn't say talking… you sounded like a cat having its tail stepped on." Lori gave her a little smile, reaching up to wipe the salty tracks from her face.

"Really?" Carol grimaced shamefully. "Oh no."

Lori chuckled softly and rubbed Carol's arm affectionately. "You thirsty?"

"Gasping," Carol groaned, propping herself up to drink.

Carol sipped at her water, trying to blink away the residue of sleep. She felt a little more rested, and stronger than she had when Daryl had sat at her side. Her body still ached, her skin tender and bruised, but she couldn't help feel laying around in bed all day was making her feel worse. She'd much rather be at home with Sophia and Daryl fussing over her instead of strangers. Carol was unsure exactly how long she'd been in hospital but it had to be two days now at least, although it felt like weeks. She had to get out of there.

"Have they said when they're gonna let me out?"

"Honey you're not in prison," Lori tutted, half in amusement. "They just wanna make sure you're okay. You've had a horrible few days, the least you can do is try to get some rest."

Carol looked away uncomfortably, her eyes falling to the cup in her hands. Lori had been to see her yesterday with Sophia, but she'd been fast asleep; this was the first she'd had a chance to visit with her, and Carol could feel the tension rolling off her friend in waves. She waited for the awkwardness to flood her face with warmth, cringing inwardly as she anticipated a lecture for not telling Lori over the phone about Ed. The silence hanging thickly between them was making it hard to breathe.

"I'm so sorry," Lori lamented. "I should've known… I should've been there for you."

"It's not your fault," Carol wrapped her hand over Lori's. "I was the one that left the damn front door unlocked and let him in."

"He shouldn't have even gotten that far… I swear I could kill Shane."

"I think you know that won't solve anything," Carol half smiled. "Ed's gone, nothing else matters. Now I just have to face whatever comes next."

"Hey, nothing is gonna happen to you, you hear me?" Lori squeezed her hand adamantly. "What did Rick say to you earlier?"

"He's pretty sure I won't be held accountable. Says my medical records and the report from a few weeks back should be more than enough evidence to prove self defence." Carol was aware how unconvincing she made it sound. "Not to mention the state of us both."

"Well there you go, nothing to worry about, right?"

Carol wished she could have faith in the possibility, but old habits were dying hard and she still half expected Ed to walk through the door to her room at any moment and bodily drag her from her bed. He might have been dead, but she could still hear his hard voice grating in her ears, his breath still prickling the nape of her neck in cold gooseflesh. She could still see his horrid, glaring eyes imprinted in her mind like a bad tattoo. His glare that now judged her on her ultimate betrayal. Staring at her through empty pits that said she would never be free of him, and that she was finally gonna get what she deserved. Nothing. She would go to prison for his murder, and Sophia would be taken into care leaving her completely alone in the world. It was a ridiculous notion, but she couldn't shake the feeling it left her with. Carol nodded, avoiding Lori's watchful eyes, emptying the last of the water out of her cup.

"Whatever it is you're thinking, get it out of your head now," Lori sighed. "He can't hurt you now. It's over."

"Is it?" Carol looked up uncertainly. "He would be loving every second of this. If I go down for this…"

"That's not going to happen. He came after you, Carol. It's not like you murdered him in his bed."

"Is that what I am?" Carol asked quietly, her voice barely a croak. "A murderer?"

Lori fixed her with a determined look and sighed deeply, the weight of the conversation clearly hindering her breathing. "No. You're a survivor. You could've died… Daryl could've died… but you saved him. Carol he would've killed you both. So don't you go blaming yourself. You survived. Ed got what was coming to him all along."

The recap of recent days events didn't make Carol feel any less to blame for what had happened. She knew Lori was trying her best, but Carol couldn't help but feel this would leave a stain on her soul. Thou shalt not kill. She lifted her eyes to the crucifix on the wall facing her bed. Her faith had been tested many times during her marriage to Ed, and she had always prayed for it to stop, for the Lord to give her strength and lead her out of the darkness. Surely this couldn't have been His plan? Carol wondered if God had taken her hand in that moment she raised the firewood above her head and brought it down on Ed, then scolded herself for being so brazen. She had committed the worst sin imaginable; nobody could take responsibility for that except her. She would just have to live with it, and pray for forgiveness.

"I had to," Carol croaked, her voice breaking under the enormity of her guilt. "For Sophia, Daryl… I had to do it. We were never gonna be safe. If he'd put his hands on Sophia-"

"Well he can't now," Lori interrupted sharply. "She's safe, and so are you. And something tells me…" Lori's eyes darted to the glass pane in the door, "…that's all you're ever gonna be from now on."

The door creaked open loudly as Daryl entered the room, pausing as he realised she wasn't alone and almost retreating as if he wasn't allowed to be there. Lori shot her a quick smile and stood, bending to kiss her friend on the forehead and hugging her affectionately.

"I'll see you soon sweetie… Get some rest and remember what I said." Lori rubbed her back and pulled away, turning to leave.

"Thank you," Carol called after her, trying to bite back tears of gratitude.

Lori offered her a soft smile and turned to face Daryl, eyeing him with a new found fondness that didn't go unnoticed. Carol felt her stomach flutter as they shared a look of mutual respect for one another.

"You take good care of my girl," Lori instructed him.

"Always." He directed the word right at her like a vow, looking past Lori and locking her in a gaze that made her melt.

Carol felt colour bleeding into her cheeks and had to pull her eyes away, letting them fall to her hands as Lori, sensing her embarrassment, made her getaway, the door creaking shut and leaving them alone again. Daryl's eyes lingered softly on her, the tiniest of shy smirks curling at the edge of his mouth as he hovered by the door, taking her in.

"Hey," she almost whispered.

"Hey, you get some rest?" Daryl made his way over to the bed and dumped his pack on the floor beside the chair.

"Some," she answered, a frown briefly passing her features.

Daryl eyed her warily; she could almost see him working it out in his head. "Dreams again?"

Carol nodded, not wanting to divulge the nature of the dreams but grateful for the fact that he didn't probe further. It was a strange feeling, being allowed the space to breathe, to decide when she was ready to speak, and not be forced into saying the right thing just because it was expected… demanded. Daryl was the opposite side of the same coin, he understood how she worked, because he was wired exactly the same. She could see the patience and understanding in the depths of his gaze, and all of a sudden she felt foolish for going back to Ed, back to a life of misery and fear, when something so much more was waiting for her beyond those walls. His eyes swam with such intense warmth it made her stomach flutter. He didn't say a word, and he didn't have to. She could see into his soul. She knew in that moment that he would do anything for her, that he would wait however long it took for her to open up to him… and she loved him for that.

"What you thinkin'?" He broke the silence, studying her inquisitively.

"I'm just thinking," she smiled. "Wondering how I got so lucky."

"Lucky?" He shot her a confused look.

"Mmhmm," she hummed, waiting for him to work it out, before finally huffing in mock exasperation. "You, ya big dummy!"

Realisation flooded his face, turning his cheeks a hot pink. "Pfft, I didn't do nothin'-"

"Yeah you did," she interrupted, twisting her fingers through his as he tried to hide behind long flicks of dark hair. "You came back."

His eyes found hers from under the cover of his hair and she hoped that he understood what she meant. For weeks now she'd been admonishing him outwardly for coming back after all this time, but now she couldn't have been more glad that he did. For years there had been a deep chasm in her heart, sealed shut by the thinnest, most fragile line, ready to burst open again and let him in if he ever came back into her life, and it had happened in half a heartbeat. From the moment she'd literally bumped into him again, she'd felt it; she'd felt the stirring deep inside that void, known that there would be no stopping it as it ripped through her again, taking her heart and soul prisoner. She was definitely captive as her eyes took in every beautiful, flawed inch of the man sitting beside her. Daryl held her gaze, seemingly struggling to push out the words that had formed on his tongue, as if he'd had them planned all along but now didn't think they would be enough. He swallowed hard and she realised his eyes were glimmering with tears.

"I came back… for you."

Carol gave his hand a gentle squeeze and brought it to her lips, kissing his battered knuckles softly and fixing him with her warmest smile. Just at that there was a knock at the door and it creaked open before Carol had a chance to respond.

"Ahh Sleeping Beauty… you're awake!" Carol rolled her eyes good naturedly at Dr Edwards as he came into the room, beaming a megawatt smile in her direction. "How are we today?"

"I'm feeling much better," Carol tried her best to sound convincing.

"Hmm well your colouring is definitely much improved from yesterday. You made Casper the ghost look like he'd spent a week in the Bahamas."

The doctor let out a hearty laugh which fizzled out when he looked back at her and met with a blank expression. Daryl threw him a look of contempt and she noticed his body tense up. Carol tried her best to suppress a smile. He was already in guard dog mode and she felt warm inside, the notion of someone protecting her instantly filling her with a newfound sensation she couldn't quite define.

"Anyway…" he flipped through his notes, "your bloodwork has come back normal, x rays are good too, nothing broken."

Carol felt a swell of hope at the prognosis and sat up straight in her bed. "Does this mean I can go home?"

Dr Edwards bit his lip and studied her for a moment. "I'd rather you stayed one more night, just to rest a bit more and put my mind at ease."

Carol sagged back into her pillows in frustration. "It's not like I've been in a car crash or something, I'm okay, honestly!"

"Let me be the judge of that." Dr Edwards responded knowingly.

"But I feel fine-"

"Yes but if I let you go and you're not fine, it's on me…" Dr Edwards turned his attention to Daryl. "Help me out here buddy?"

Daryl looked from him to Carol uncertainly and she just knew he was going to agree with the doctor. Her heart sank at the concern still present in his eyes as he chewed his lip, debating whether to dice with death and agree. She'd half expected him to fight her corner but she knew she was clutching at straws. Daryl sighed and dipped his head, his hair falling across his face again, like it would hide him when he told her what she didn't want to hear.

"Jus' one more night. For me?" He looked up at her pleadingly, his thumb tracing her knuckles absently.

Carol frowned and pursed her lips in a sulk as her eyes darted between her captive audience, the two of them ganging up on her and taking the decision out of her hands. She knew they were right, but she was loath to admit it. Another night staring at the walls stretched out in front of her and she groaned at the prospect, reluctantly accepting it was for her own good.

"Well it doesn't look like I have much choice now, does it?" Carol huffed in resignation.

Dr Edwards smiled and made his way towards the door. "Good, that's settled then. Besides, you pretty the place up. I'm not ready for you to go just yet."