Hope everyone is having a good week.

Carol startled when suddenly her closet door burst open and Will was standing there. Carol stood quickly and raised a brow at him. He looked serious and it was usually a look she associated with him and Daryl talking. Not just serious but there was a look in his eyes that held a deep well of sadness. She didn't like that look to him because someone so strong should never seem so broken. Not by her because he wasn't her dad to claim. He was Merle, Mac's, and Daryl's that look should be reserved for them.

"You have work tomorrow?"

"No." Carol shook her head. "We're closed tomorrow for maintenance in the kitchen. Remember?"

Will nodded sagely. "Get you some clothes. I'll be goddamned if I'll let you sleep on the ground. You're coming home with me till this is fixed."

"Will."

"No Carol." He shook his head interrupting her. "If I leave you here all you're going to do is fret about Daryl and that letter."

"I'm still going to do that whether I'm there or here." Carol smiled.

"Yeah well I'll keep you company then." He tilted his head.

Carol sighed at him but done as he said. She grabbed herself some clothes and followed him. He didn't bother trying Daryl again. It was obvious he wasn't dealing with anyone tonight. They left the house after Will checked to make sure that everything was locked up. He opened the door for her and she climbed into the truck as he shut the door for her. It was an overwhelming feeling knowing that this man was so strongly opposed to letting her mope alone that he'd give his night up to do it with her. She'd never had that before.

"Did you want to bring Catrick?"

Carol looked over at him and snorted. "Catrick was likely sleeping in Daryl's room when everything went to hell."

"So he's probably still in there with him."

"Yup."

"I thought you said you both never go into each other's rooms. How would the cat get in there? His door is always shut."

Carol shook her head. "He keeps it cracked for Rocky to come and go as he pleases. Catrick prefers to be around Daryl."

Will snorted as he started driving them towards his house. Carol hugged her bag to her chest. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Daryl refusing to ever speak to her again. She was mortified that Merle had basically shouted something she'd said in confidence in front of everyone. If she'd found out some other way that'd been fine and even Daryl yelling it didn't bother her because at least she knew now. No what got to her was the fact that Merle seemed ready to throw her under the bus to get Daryl's anger directed away from him. She didn't think Merle hated her. Quite the opposite in fact but he was an asshole.

Carol followed Will inside. Her eyes widened seeing Mac half naked passed out face down on a couch. Will glared down at him but otherwise said nothing. The last thing she needed was Mac's drunken parroting of Merle's crap. Instead she kept following Will. He was leading her further into the house than she'd been before. He guided her to a room.

"I don't cook." He smiled at her seeming amused at his own words. "I'm sure you're use to that living with my son though. He got that from me."

Carol grinned. "He said he'd poison us both if he cooked."

"And he was too right."

"I can cook us breakfast. It's the least I can do." Carol offered.

Will looked over meeting her eyes. "Carol no one expects anything as repayment for anything we do." Carol swallowed. "Try to sleep and if you can't come find me."

"Aren't you sleeping?"

Will chuckled. "I have two drunk sons to deal with. They don't get to sleep tonight." His voice held a malicious tone that raised the hair on the back of her neck.

Carol's eyes widened. Will shut her door softly and Carol set heavily on the bed. She could hear Will waking Mac up. Was Merle here? Seconds later the sound of Merle yelling answered her. Carol grinned evilly at the thought of them dealing with Will. Good, they deserved it. There was a few yelps of pain and then Merle was silenced along with Mac. It sounded like a marching band was in the livingroom. She hoped they had terrible hangovers tomorrows.

Carol stretched out and snuggled down into the thick pillows and blankets. It felt weird being here. It wasn't that it was Will's house. She felt comfortable around him. No, it felt wrong to not be at home. That caused her to stall out. Her considering her place at Daryl's home. She'd never done that even when she lived with her parents. No she felt like she should be waiting till morning for Daryl when he was sober so she could talk to him about the mess that was tonight. Coming here felt like a copout to her. What if he woke up and decided they needed to talk right then but he seen she left? He'd think she was avoiding it and possibly get madder.

"Fuck off!" Merle barked.

"Merle Dixon." Will's voice carried.

"Why do I have to be awake? Merle's the one who bought the stripper and came up with this shit." Mac whined.

"Shut the fuck up traitor!"

"Both of you will fucking apologize to the both of them."

"I'm not apologizing to that goddamn stripper. He cost a fucking lot and Daryl wouldn't even let him give him the lap dance. He damn near took his head off."

"Boo-fucking-hoo." Will snarled. "Do not fucking make me hit you."

Carol grinned into her pillow. She couldn't wait till morning now for Merle and Mac's apology. She would rather see them try and apologize to Daryl. That would be enough for her. If Daryl could forgive them then she would. With that she let her eyes close and settled for sleep. She was taunted and teased with images of Daryl over the time she'd known him. Everything with them was a mess. They needed to learn to communicate better and not make assumptions.

When she finally woke up it was bright outside. Carol stretched but paused when she realized it wasn't her usual place of sleeping. It smelled nothing like she was use to and was to soft. Where was Catrick? Where was the sound of Rocky barking at Daryl for showering and closing his bathroom door? Where was the thick smell of his body wash, coffee, and that warm homey smell she'd come to associate with the house?

Setting up she was met with an unfamiliar room. Looking around she was reminded of Will taking her home with him. She let out a breath and stretched. Instead of lingering in bed she let the faint smell of coffee drag her from the room. Padding down the hall she was greeted by a familiar sight but just a different man. Will was leaning into the counter reading the newspaper while drinking coffee much the same way she seen Daryl every morning.

"Sleep good?"

Carol smiled and nodded her head. "I did."

He said nothing else as he continued reading. Instead she eyed the coffee pot. She jumped when the side door opened and Travis stepped in. He stared at her wide eyed. She stared back just as wide eyed. He looked towards his brother but Will ignored him and kept drinking his coffee. Carol looked down and realized she was in boxers, a tatty torn shirt, and nothing else. She was indecent! These weren't even her boxers. She'd never owned a pair of boxers in her life until her and Daryl's clothes got mixed up the other day. She didn't notice till that night and just decided screw it and slept in them.

"Carol." Travis smiled but it was strained.

Carol flushed violently.

"Oh come off it I'm not sleeping with her." Will snapped. "She's a bit young for my taste."

Carol stared between them because she was sure he intentionally put emphasis on saying his taste. What was he trying to say there? She knew he wasn't a creeper but now she just wanted to question him.

Travis let out a breath. "Jesus I thought you were robbing the cradle for a second."

"I'm hardly a kid."

"You're basically the same age as Daryl- so don't tell me you aren't a kid to us." Travis warned.

Carol huffed at the emphasis again but Will snorted, "True."

Travis leaned against the refrigerator and sighed, "Do you need me this week? Karen is wanting to take off for vacation before the baby is here."

Will looked up at him, "Take two weeks. You'll thank me when that kid gets here and you no longer get sleep."

Travis blanched. "You sure?"

"If I need something I have three sons I can use for slave labor."

Carol barked out a laugh and covered her mouth quickly. Both men smiled at her.

"Two are just begging for it anyways." Will assured. "Think they can handle anything you'll need done. I'll have Merle cut your grass while your gone and Mac weedeat for you."

"No work for Daryl?" Travis questioned.

"Nope." Will shook his head. "Just his usual schedule."

"What'd they do?" Travis said.

Will stood and stretched. "Took shit to far and now Daryl's going to be on the warpath."

"Last time they got him worked up like that he moved out."

Carol cleared her throat. "Can you take me home?"

Will met her eyes and she raised a brow in challenge. He sighed and nodded his head. She couldn't hide here from Daryl forever. She had to face this or it'd just get worse. Besides what if he'd gotten sick and she wasn't there? He really hadn't felt good before they made him go out drinking and now he could be hungover. He could have drown in his own puke because she'd talked about him behind his back and he walked out in a snit. His death would basically be her fault! Carol felt panic well in her chest and the overwhelming need to check on him.

"Yes." Will said.

Carol left the room and slipped upstairs. She changed quickly not bothering with a shower. She was more worried about getting home and fixing things with Daryl. Despite what Will said she was worried he was going to hate her. She grabbed her bag and glared down at the letter she seen on top of the clothes. She ignored it only have the strength to deal with one thing at the moment and Daryl mattered more than some stupid scribble crap that was likely waiting in the envelope.