Hi guys! This idea for the story just popped in my head and I thought I would give it a try. So far I'm planning 4-5 chapters, we will see how it goes. The story might turn quite dark but I'll warn you in advance in case it's not your thing. I hope you'll enjoy!


"Carol, can I talk to you for a minute?" Beth's quiet voice snapped Carol out of her thoughts she'd been immersed in. She looked up from the clothes she had been mending and smiled at the young girl.

"Of course Beth, come in."

Carol moved on the bed to make place for Beth and the girl sat down, shifting nervously. Carol watched the girl for a while and they were both quiet. After a while Carol reached out and took Beth's hand.

"Spit it out Beth," she smiled encouragingly.


Making Beth speak was the easy part, helping her along with her plan was trickier. Beth had recently become involved with Zach, sweet teenage boy from Woodbury and their young love was blossoming regardless of apocalypse just outside the door. Carol was grateful for these glimpses of normal life. Anything that took her mind off walkers' killing, the smell of burning rotten bodies or huge amount of workload, was more than appreciated.

Zach was going to turn eighteen in a few days and Beth wanted to go on run to get him some special present, something he couldn't just find wandering around the prison. But with Hershel, who still saw Beth as his little girl and wasn't exactly thrilled with Zach's persistent attention devoted to his youngest daughter, and Rick, who didn't allow 'purposeless' runs, desperate girl turned to Carol.

None of the two talks were easy. Hershel's first reaction was a resolute refusal of her daughter's idea and Rick simply shook his head stating they'd enough supplies for now and there was no need to risk anyone's live anytime soon. It took all of Carol's diplomatic skills to persuade both men about necessity, briefness and simplicity of such run.

When she finally told Beth they were allowed to go, the girl squealed and jumped around her neck.

"Don't get too excited Beth," Carol patted her back with a smile, "I will go with you, you'll be my responsibility and we are also bringing Tyreese and Sasha. We'll have only four hours so you'll have to be really quick. We will leave at dawn."


"It was Beth's crazy ass idea?"

Carol smiled, she would have recognized this low grouchy voice anywhere. Daryl was standing in the door exactly as Beth was just a few hours ago.

"Yes. And don't be mean, it's kind of cute," she raised her eyebrow at him.

He stepped into her cell, leaned his crossbow against the bars and plopped himself on her bed. Sometimes it still surprised her how easy and relaxed had Daryl become around her. They'd grown even closer during hard and long winter months when Daryl had been trying in his clumsy and gawky way to make up for all the time he'd spent on the Governor's hunts with Michonne. Although the bond created between Daryl and Michonne somehow hurt Carol and she cursed herself for feelings and thoughts that were running through her head, she hadn't ever asked for any special Daryl's attention. But when Daryl had started seeking out her company when he was around, she definitely wasn't going to complain.

"Cute enough to fuckin' die for it?" he frowned at her.

Carol sighed and turned to face him.

"Daryl, it's going to take four hours and we are going to scavenge that suburb you searched dozen times over. It's walker free and as safe as it can get. We'll be OK."

He was still scowling.

"Why dontcha stay here? Ya needed 'round here. Tyresee, Sasha and Beth can handle that themselves."

Inadvertently he was quickly heading toward the point where she started getting angry.

"Because Beth asked for my help and because I was the one who talked Hershel and Rick into it. And on top of that I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself!" she snapped.

"Jeez, hold yer horses woman," Daryl raised his hand in placating gesture, smirk tugging at his lip although he tried to hide it, "ya know it ain't what I meant, I know ya are able to look after yourself."

Carol put her hands on her sides and watched him defiantly, cogitating whether it was worthy starting a fight with Daryl on this matter, but she cracked up when she saw his smirk.

His face suddenly grew serious again.

„I can't go with ya tomorrow. Already promised to Rick to go huntin'. We had no fresh meat in couple of days and people are starting moanin' 'bout it."

Carol nodded, she knew he was right. She was the one hearing out most of the complaints about the food.

Daryl got up from her bed and reached for his crossbow before straightening up. He was standing close to her now and Carol could feel the heat radiating from his body and despite the heat she shivered.

She hesitantly touched his arm.

"I'll be careful I promise," then, suddenly amused, she raised her eyebrow at him, "and good luck with handling that horny fan club of yours when you come back with deer across your shoulders."

He huffed and ran his hand through his shaggy hair.

"Smart ass."

Carol was glad that they were able to joke about it. There were couple of women in the prison who seemed to be very invested in the fact that Daryl was still single and used every opportunity to make it clear it didn't have to stay that way if he allowed them to take over the initiative. Daryl had no idea how to handle such situations and had sought refuge of her cell at more than one occasion, cursing under his breath and pacing around her cell like a caged animal. At the beginning Carol had been tentative and unsure how to approach this sensitive topic, uncertain how Daryl perceived the situation and whether he held interest for any of the women. But soon she was relieved to find out that this unsolicited and excessive attention only stressed the hunter out. There had been other moments, which had proved to Carol that whatever it was between her and Daryl was unique and could boldly compete with the bond Daryl and Michonne had. Her skin still tingled when she remembered the day Daryl had barged into her cell after spending three long weeks out of prison with Michonne.


Two months ago

When Daryl suddenly appeared in the entrace of her cell blocking most of the daylight coming in with his broad shoulders, Carol took into account his eager expression, which fell quickly when he found her immersed in comfortable friendly conversation with Ryan, one of her followers. Ryan sensed the tension of the situation and disappeared from her cell quickly, leaving surprised Carol and bummed Daryl behind.

"Ya with him now?" Daryl wanted his voice to sound detached and uninterested but the way he shifted his weight from one foot to another and started picking on his nail gave him away, "ya shoulda told me, I wouldn't be interrupting yer date."

Although she tried hard she couldn't hide little smirk. She stood up and approached now defensive hunter.

"I'm glad you are back," she stopped in front of him and folded her arms on her chest, effectively fighting the urge to touch him, excited to finally see him again.

"Three fuckin' weeks is long enough for some changes to take place, I guess?" he was eyeing her tentatively. Daryl was pissed with himself beyond belief. He had no slightest idea why he was behaving this way but the words were pouring out and he didn't seem to be able to stop them.

Her lips curved into full smile now and he frowned at her, groaning inwardly. He couldn't help it but he was struck again how beautiful she looked. Three weeks on the road with Michonne with no time, place or chance for any relief definitely didn't help. Him behaving like prick didn't help either. He knew he had absolutely no claim over her but when he'd seen her with that jackass, knees huddled up to her chest and carefully listening to whatever he had to say, something inside him had broken.

Carol could almost see the wheels turning in his head and she reached out and stroked his arm gently. She winced when he tensed and stepped back.

"Nothing changed Daryl. We were just chatting, it's all."

He narrowed his eyes and searched her face inquisitively.

"Seemed pretty friendly," he growled and the sharp edge of unhidden jealousy sent shivers down Carol's spine.

Carol squinted at him.

"No more friendly than those lady friends of yours following you around."

His eyes widened and all of sudden tension left his body. Recognition that he hadn't been the only one worrying made him light-headed and he suddenly grinned at her.

"Jealous?"

"No way, I've got Ryan," she grinned back at him.


"Earth to Carol, do ya copy?" his voice drew her back to reality. She winced and looked at him. They were still standing in her cell, too close for her body to stay on top of things.

"What was goin' on in that head of yours? I was talkin' to ya," he sounded a little bit annoyed now and she just shook her head.

"Tell me ya ain't gonna do this daydreamin' on the run tomorrow," he puffed nervously and she scowled.

"What were you saying?" Carol asked, trying to stir her train of thought into safer territory.

"I asked if ya checked all your guns."

She nodded.

"Rick took care of it."

"And make sure Beth ain't gonna wander off without knife and gun. That girl lives with her head in the sky most of the time. She's gonna be a handful."

"Daryl….," she sighed exhaustedly, "we are all going to be just fine."

He watched her wordlessly for a while and then nodded.

"Stay safe," he turned and left.


When Carol opened her eyes and got up from the bed it was still dark but quick glimpse on the watch on her bedside table assured her there was still an hour left before the sunrise.

She put on her clothes quickly, strapped on the belt with her knife and headed toward the kitchen area. She became engrossed in the preparation of food for today's run when a sudden movement behind her alerted all her senses. No one was supposed to be there so early in the morning and if somebody still came in, he would have made himself audible enough to let her know his presence, of that she was sure. The hair at the back of her neck bristled and her body tensed as she heard the intruder creeping forward quietly. She kept fiddling with the food but her mind was already on her next move. When she thought the stranger was close enough to her back she pulled out her knife, swirled around sharply and in one swift motion pressed the knife's edge against the intruder's throat. She heard a gasp and she found herself staring into wide and surprised eyes of Daryl Dixon. Daryl went still as a statue when he felt the knife pressed against the pulsing vein on his neck.

The adrenalin was still rushing through her body and she was clutching the knife against his throat for couple of long moments although her brain was screaming to put it down.

Daryl slowly raised his right hand, grasped her wrist with the knife and removed it from his throat.

"Good girl…now take that knife off my fuckin' throat," his voice was hoarse but she didn't miss the unmistakable tint of pride in it.

Her body finally started cooperating with her brain and she was surprised to realize she was trembling. Carol dropped the knife, which landed on the floor with loud clink and Daryl bent down and picked it up, handing it back to her.

Carol finally found her voice and looked at Daryl in disbelief.

"Did you lose your mind Daryl? I could have killed you for Christ's sake! What were you thinking sneaking up on me like this?"

She knew she was shouting but she didn't give a damn about waking up the whole prison at this heated moment, she just needed to vent her shock and frustration.

"Don't get yer panties in a twist woman," he mumbled but obviously felt guilty about scaring her like that, "just wanted to test how prepared ya are for today's run, is all."

He bowed his head getting ready for the avalanche of rebukes he knew was coming. Carol was tempted to slap him. Not only he scared the hell out of her but he almost got himself killed. She almost killed him and just a mere thought of it turned her stomach upside down.

She took a deep breath and tried to stop the trembling.

"What are you doing here anyway Daryl?"

He slowly raised his head and dared to look at her. He released a breath when he found out that the worst rage was gone.

"Sorry to scare ya, didn't mean to…I just…hell, I guess I was just an ass," he rubbed his neck where blade touched it and looked at her with an unreadable expression, "but hell ya were quick with that knife. I'm already feeling better lettin' you go out there on your own."

She felt a proud smile tugging at her lips and she gave in shaking her head.

"You will be a death of me one day Daryl. What are you doing down here then?"

"Huntin' remember?" he answered and peeked over her shoulder, "and I knew ya would be makin' some goodies for the trip."

She blocked his way when he tried to get to the table.

"What makes you think I made something for you as well?" her teasing tone was back and he grinned at her, happy that the argument was staved off.

She shrieked when he grabbed her by her waist and put her aside like she weighted nothing.

"Cause I know ya," he sneered and started analyzing the food on the table. After a while he picked two sandwiches, apple and candy bar and showed them into his pockets.

Suddenly he was standing in front of her, shifting nervously. He was too close again and Carol's cheeks were flushed when he was hesitantly watching her through the slits of his eyes. Carol thought she must have been still dreaming when he carefully raised his hand and traced his finger along her chin gently. It was lighter than the touch of butterflies' wings and the sensation was gone in the next second. She was tempted to pinch herself just to make sure she really wasn't sleeping.

"Be careful OK? See ya tonight," he said quietly, turned on his heel and was gone.

Carol stared at the door agape, her head swirling and hands trembling again, shocked and excited from this sudden and unexpected display of affection.