Carol followed Daryl as the group spit up. Rick was completely crazy if he thought he could just run into the field of walkers and survive, but someone had to. Honestly, Carol was glad it wasn't Daryl doing the running. Daryl held the door open for her and she rushed in and up the stairs, pulling open the next door. She didn't expect a walker to jump at her. With a gasp Carol backed up, right into Daryl. He quickly dispatched the walker with a knife and pulled Carol into the tower. She let out a relieved breath.

"You trying to get yourself killed?" He asked, obviously irritated at her lack of cautiousness.

"Doesn't seem like you really give a damn anymore." She replied bitterly before stepping out and leaning over the railing slightly.

"Ready!" She called down to Rick, who nodded and walked to the gate. Daryl and Carol positioned themselves comfortably and began taking down walkers. Glenn, Maggie, T-Dog and Beth killed walkers through the fence, while Hershel and Carl shot from another guard tower. Daryl moved around the other end of the tower, and Carol lost her focus, shooting too close to Rick and nearly hitting him.

"Sorry!" She called when he looked up at her.

"Concentrate!" Daryl snapped at her. She took a breath and continued shooting. Rick finally got the gate secured and took shelter in another building.

"He did it." Carol said in disbelief. She let out a breath and looked at Daryl, but he wasn't focused on her. She smiled as they cleared the yard, and followed Daryl back down to the others.

"Dumb ass actually made it." Daryl said, shaking his head as he held the door open again for her. She smiled at him, and she thought she could almost see him smile back.

"The was fantastic!" Carol breathed, coming around the corner to the others. She walked to Lori, who was holding the gate open. "You okay?" She asked. Lori gave her a small smile.

"Haven't felt this good in weeks," She replied happily. Carol looked over her shoulder in time to see Daryl place his hand on Lori's shoulder as they exchanged a nod.

"We haven't had this much room since we left the farm!" Carol exclaimed happily. She laughed as she and Carl broke into a run, taking off to the middle of the field and smiling brightly. She heard T-Dog's cheers of happiness from somewhere behind her and she pulled Carl into a hug. She looked at Daryl, who was actually smiling, and she felt like maybe things would start to get better.

~X~

It was dark out and they had built a fire in the center of the field, where they all sat around it in a circle. All of them except for Rick, who was walking the perimeter, and Daryl, who stood watch on top of the overturned bus near the entrance. They'd cooked the owl that Daryl had caught, along with few squirrels and whatever food they happened to have. It wasn't delicious, or appetizing at all, but it was enough to fill their stomachs and make them feel a little better. Carol didn't pay much attention to the conversation. She heard Glenn make a comment about the food and T-Dog and Hershel making some sort of plans.

Carol was focused on watching Daryl, or what she could see of him in the dark. He wore the poncho they'd found at one of the houses, but it hadn't been that cold when they were inside to wear it. This is the first she'd seen it on him, and she had to admit it wasn't as bad as she thought it'd be. She preferred the leather jacket though. Carol searched her brain, trying to think of a reason to go to him, to talk to him. Suddenly her stomach growled, not appeased with such little food and she smiled. Grabbing a plate of food and excusing herself from the group she walked to him. She didn't purposely have to make noise, she knew he'd hear her.

"Got room for one more?" She asked once she reached him. He knelt down to help her up, and she happily excepted his offer. He pulled her up next to him, then grabbed the plate of food she'd set down. "It's not much, but if I don't bring you something, you won't eat at all." She said. He immediately dug in, using his fingers to eat. She smirked a little and crossed her arms to stay warm.

"It guess little Shane over there has got quite the appetite." He replied. She couldn't help but smile.

"Don't be mean." She scolded playfully. "Rick's gotten us a lot farther than I ever thought he would, I'll give him that." And she meant it, feeling guilty about what she'd said at the beginning of the winter. No one heard her but Daryl though, and at the time he'd agreed. Rick really was a leader, he made mistakes, but he paid for them in his own way. Carol respected him. They all did. "Shane could never have done that." She added. The ache in her shoulder and neck began to hurt and she rolled her shoulders.

"What's wrong?" Daryl asked, not missing the action. She should've known he'd catch it.

"That rifle." She said. "The kickback. I'm just not used to it." What he did next surprised her. He put down his plate and motioned for her to turn around. She obeyed, unsure of what he was going to do, but she trusted him. She was pleasantly surprised when he began massaging her shoulder, relieving the tense muscles. She couldn't help but smile. She looked over her shoulder at him, and he almost smiled back, but stopped. He slowly dropped his hands and she couldn't help but feel a slight sadness inside her.

"Better get back." He grumbled, motioning to the others. She was not letting him get away so easily.

"It's pretty romantic." She said. When she turned to look at him, she saw the worry etched in his face. "Wanna screw around?" She joked, easing the tension. He laughed a little and so did she. She turned to follow him.

"I'll go down first."

"Even better." Carol replied. The comment earned her a smirk and a head shake.

"Stop." He warned, making her laugh a little more. He reached up, taking her hands in his and helping her from the bus. Jumping down, she landed funny, causing her to stumble forward and Daryl's arm to wrap around her waist. She placed her arm over his, balancing herself. She turned to look at him and froze, realizing how close they were. They both stood silently for a moment, looking at each other, until Daryl slowly slipped his arm from her middle and dropped it at his side. With his other hand, he gave her a small tug and pulled her with him, making their way back to the group. Carol didn't entirely understand what just happened, but it was enough to make her walk earn a little hop to it.

"So fill to me, the parting glass." Beth was singing softly when they returned. With a quick glance, Daryl pulled away from Carol and stood behind Glenn. Carol stopped next to him as Maggie began to sing with her sister. They listened quietly, Carol watching the man next to her with the urge to touch him again, but resisting. He turned to her and offered a small smile, before returning his attention to the group as the girls finished their song and Rick spoke.

"Better all turn in." He said. "I'll take watch over there. Got a big day tomorrow." Carol swallowed hard, knowing what that meant. Again they'd put their lives on the line, risk losing someone else. They went all winter, not losing anyone from the original group, but who knew what the next day would bring. Carol knew, as well as the others that the next day could be the day they lose Glenn, or Hershel. Beth, or Carl, or even Daryl. Carol bit her lip at the thought, sending a worried glance at the man next to her. Where would she be if he was gone?

"Most of the walkers are dressed as guards, or prisoner." Rick continued. "Looks like this place fell pretty early. Could mean the supplies may be intact. Could have an infirmary, commissary-"

"An armory?" Daryl asked.

"Not in the prison itself." Rick replied. "But no too far away." Daryl nodded, and Rick continued talking.

"You think this is a good idea?" Carol whispered to Daryl. He looked at her.

"Best idea we got." He replied.

"These assholes don't stand a chance." Rick said to Carl, earning a deserved smile from the boy. With that Rick stood to go on watch and Carol sat next to Carl. Lori took off after Rick and Daryl sat down next to Carol.

"Get some sleep, okay?" Carol whispered to Carl, who nodded and rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. Carol scooted closer to Daryl, who wrapped his blanket around the two of them. Everyone else settled next to each other, keeping close for warmth. Lori returned after a short while and laid next to Carl, pulling him close. Carol saw tears in her eyes, but didn't comment.

"We should sleep." Daryl said quietly to her. She nodded and leaned against him. His arm went around her and squeezed her shoulder comfortingly and they laid down.

"Be careful tomorrow." Carol whispered, resting her head on Daryl's shoulder.

"Yes ma'am." He replied sarcastically. She smiled and closed her eyes, falling asleep shortly.

A/N: Alright, guys! They're at the prison! Safety at last! Or so they think. Anyway, I have a question for you guys! I've been thinking about starting another story, it'd be just a huge collection of oneshots. I like writing them because there isn't so much commitment behind it, and I find them very fun to write because I can skip around. So, would any of you read them if I posted them? Because there isn't much purpose if no one will read them. Let me know! Love. ~Helen