Sorry for the slow update y'all. As some of you that are on the Fans Of CARYL site already know, I've been laid up with a blood clot in my leg. I'm not able to sit for long periods of time and I've been in alot of pain as well. So update are going to be slow...I can't help it right now.

This chapter is more of a filler chapter then anything. But, a few things in it needed to be in the story to set up what's to come later down the road. Hope you enjoy and don't find it boring, LOL.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of The Walking Dead characters and I'm NOT making any money off of them! I only claim the OC characters I created for this story.

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CARYL ON!

Double checking the board he had just nailed up over the window, Daryl then took a step back, accessing his work. Most of the morning he had been covering what windows needed to be covered to make the house somewhat safer for them. Glancing back behind him to make sure no walkers had came into the yard, Daryl then picked up his crossbow and dropping the hammer on the porch steps, he headed for the woods.

Walking just inside the treeline, Daryl took slow careful steps and then knelt down as he came across the first snare. Finding it empty but tracks close, he decided to leave in place in hopes of maybe snagging an animal for a meal. Checking the others, he came up empty handed and headed back towards the house. With no meat and very little food that they found inside the house, Daryl knew he would need to make a run to try to find them more to eat.

Slipping inside the garage, he barricaded the door closed and then went in, finding Carol sitting on the floor in the living room area. Scattered around her were several books and she was thumbing through one in her hand. Setting his bow down, he knelt in front of her and picked up one of the books on the floor.

"'Common Cures'" he read and then picked up another book, "'World's Greatest Health Secrets'...whatcha readin' these for?" he asked softly, placing them back onto the floor near her legs.

"Well..." Carol said, looking up from the book in her hand, "There's a chance we might not find the others, Daryl. I'm gonna be due here soon and know nothing about childbirth. Figured I best read up some incase...well, incase Hershel or Otis isn't here for it." Leaning back against the plush chair behind her, she frowned at the look in his eyes, "What's wrong?"

Releasing a breath, Daryl stood up and then took a seat on the couch across from her, "Didn't get shit in the snares. Gonna have ta go hit a few places, see what I can find."

Carol nodded in understanding and moved to get up, "I can go with you..."

"No," Daryl said suddenly, his eyes boring into her. "Your ass is stayin' here. Ain't safe out there and I can move faster by myself. Got the place boarded up...I'll leave the gun with ya. I'll be back before dark."

Carol sat back down on the floor, lowering her eyes back down and looking around at the books on the floor around her. Daryl hadn't really let her out of his sight since they had found the house and now he was up and leaving her alone. The baby moving around inside her caused Carol to lean back some, her hand rubbing circles over the area. He was right, he could move faster without her and she did have to start thinking about Sophia more. If anything, the time would give her a chance to read up more on what to expect and possibly find out what she would need to do if they didn't find the group.

Taking in a deep breath, Carol then nodded, "You're right." Looking back up at him, she shrugged, "You're right. I would slow you down and it is too dangerous." She tried once more to get up by herself and then reached out a hand to him for his help. Once she was on her feet, she looked into his eyes, "Is there anything you need me to do here while you're gone?"

Daryl wasn't sure what there really was for her to do as he looked around some and then looked back at her, "Don't know. Maybe...maybe see if'n there is anything here in the house we can use? Weapons...ammo...hell, batteries even. Anything ya might think is useful."

Carol nodded and then reached for the cup of water she had, "You might want to take one of those milk cartons incase you find some water. We're practically out."

Daryl nodded and then thought of something he had been thinking about while he was working outside. Leaving the room for a few minutes, he came back, striding through the room and into the kitchen swiftly. When he came back through with a few empty soda bottles, her curiosity got the better of her and she followed him. He went into the bathroom and straight to the toilet, dropping one of the bottles into the tank on the back.

"You've got to be kidding me, Daryl. I'm not gonna drink toilet water," Carol said firmly as he brought the filled bottle up and then started filling another.

Glancing over his shoulder, he looked back down at what he was doing, "Got a better idea? 'Sides...it's clean anyway. Ain't like it's been pissed in. Just have ta boil it like any other we'd drink."

Carol scrunched up her nose and looked around the small space. Going over to the closet that was in the corner, she opened it and looked at it's contents. Pulling out a bottle of alcohol she looked at it and then back in at the rest, "There a lot in here we might could use, Daryl. Bandages, alcohol, peroxide...even antibacterial creams."

On the top shelf was several prescription bottles and she brought them down, reading them, "Amoxicillin...Tremadol...Flexeril...we can use this stuff, and there is quite a few pills left in each."

Filling the last bottle he had brought, he closed it and set it with the others before moving over to where she was and looked over her shoulder into the closet. Seeing a couple toothbrushes still in the packages, he snagged them along with a new tube of toothpaste, "This shit will come in handy too."

Carol let out a small giggle and looked back at him over her shoulder, "You saying I have bad breath, Daryl?"

He smirked and then moved even closer to her, his body coming flush with hers, "Nah. Ain't sayin' that. Ya deserve somethin' normal though."

"We all do," she said softly and leaned back into him, closing her eyes. When his arms came around her, she whispered, "Do you think we'll find them?"

Wanting her to remain positive, Daryl nuzzled the side of her neck and whispered into her skin there, "Gonna find them, woman. One way or another, we'll find 'em." Placing the toothbrushes and toothpaste in her hand, he then gave her another kiss to her neck, "Best get that water boiled so ya have somethin' ta drink on while I'm gone."

He turned her so he could look into her eyes, "Ya hear or see anyone, ya get your ass inta the closet in that small room. The closet is empty in there so you'll have plenty of room. And keep that gun with ya no matter what."

Carol nodded, swallowing down the fear that wanted to creep in, "I will. You be safe out there too, okay?"

"I'll be back 'fore ya know it." Cupping the side of her face, he leaned in, giving her a soft kiss and then nodding towards the door, "I'll get the water inta the kitchen for ya."

Daryl gathered the bottles and Carol followed him out, both going back to the kitchen. They had been lucky that the stove had been gas and were able to heat what little bit of food they did have. It also came in handy for boiling water as well. Carol looked at the bag of macaroni noodles on the counter and figured she might be able to find something to go with it to last them at least a couple meals.

Daryl collected his crossbow and then came back in, placing the gun into her hand, "Lock that door behind me. I'll knock three times and then two more when I'm back so ya know it's me."

Carol nodded and followed him to the garage door and stood there as he went through. Giving him a small smile when he turned back, she then closed and locked the door, sealing herself inside the home.

The sun had set before Daryl returned to the house with a car loaded with food and much needed supplies. He parked around back and noticed that the house was completely dark. He wondered if Carol had heard the car coming up the drive and had hidden in the small room like he had told her. Getting his crossbow, he headed into the garage and started to wonder if she would even be able to hear him knock if she was hiding.

Knocking three times and then twice again, he waited to see if she would open the door. When he got no response he tried a second time, and then heard movement on the other side of the door before the sound of the locks being disengaged.

Barely opening the door with the gun in hand, Carol took a quick step back as Daryl made himself known to her, "Just me."

Releasing a breath, Carol's grip on the gun eased up and she sighed in relief, "I was in the room...I could barely hear you knocking."

"Good, ya did good. Glad ya waited ta make sure though," he said as he came inside. The house was in complete darkness and he pulled out his lighter, "Where's a candle? Got shit ta bring in."

Carol moved to the kitchen table where she had placed a few candles for them. Handing him one, she raised her brow, "You need me to help bring stuff in?"

"Nah," he said shaking his head and then setting the candle back into the table once it was lit. "Got the car parked at the back door. Just need ya to watch my back for me while I get it in."

Carol nodded and went and got their flashlight and then followed him to the back door. He took it, shining it out into the back yard to make sure there were no walkers and then handed it back to her. "Gonna have ta keep checkin' the yard. And if'n ya hear anything, let me know."

Carol did as she was told, watching and listening out for him as he emptied the car of his findings. Once he had everything in, they closed and locked the door back up. Grabbing a chair, Daryl used it to wedge the door close for more security. Turning back, he found Carol already starting to go through the bags of stuff he had brought back for them.

"Found a few house that hadn't been scavenged." Picking up one bag imparticular, he placed it onto the counter in front of her, "Thought ya might could use this."

Carol gave him a small smile and then looked in the bag, her eyes growing wide. Pulling out three cans of formula, she then looked back in and set them aside. Reaching back in, her hands landed on a plastic grocery bag with five bottles and nipples and she looked at Daryl with tears starting to form in her eyes. "Stuff for Sophia?"

Daryl nodded shyly and then reached in, bringing out a few set of clothes, "Wasn't sure what she'd need, but...even if we make it back to the group, I wasn't sure if'n we'd have anything for her."

Carol looked at the few clothes which would be a little big, but would at least be something to cover the newborn with. Clutching them to her chest, she looked up at him, "Thank you, Daryl. This...this means a lot. She'll need all of this." He reached into the bag and brought out the last couple items, a baby blanket with little bears on it and two Elmo pacifiers.

"Found a house with a baby's room. Figured if we needed more I could go back and get more stuff for her."

Carol stilled and looked down at the items as her heart sank. Lifting her eyes slowly back to him, she asked softly, "Was there?"

Daryl instantly knew what she was asking and shaking his head, he sighed, "No. Place was empty. Looked like they left when things went ta shit if not before."

She nodded and then began to place everything back into the bag, looking over each thing before placing it back. Taking in a deep breath, she looked back up at him, "All this we'll need."

Daryl nodded and then reached down, grabbing one of the other bags off the floor. Pulling out the contents, he looked over at the stove and took in a deep breath, "Did ya cook somethin'?"

Carol gave him a small smile and went over to the stove and took the lid off the small pot that sat there on the front burner. Turning the gas on, she stirred what she had made, "I cooked up some of those noodles we had and found a can of tomatoes and add a little from that package of spaghetti seasoning. It's not exactly real spaghetti..."

"Ya ain't gonna hear me complain unless ya ain't plannin' on sharin'," Daryl said as he left the bag and went over to the stove. Looking in the pot, his mouth began to water as the aroma became stronger, "Smells damn good."

Smiling at the compliment, Carol let it finish warming up before spooning him out some into a bowl. Handing it to him, she then got herself some and followed him out into the living room. She had cleaned up the books off the floor, keeping out those that might come in useful. Taking a seat on the couch with him, she got as comfortable as she could before starting to eat.

Daryl took a mouthful of the food and moaned contently at the taste. It had been a long time since he had a good meal and to him this was the best he'd ever put in his mouth. Chewing and filling his spoon with more, he sat back on the couch and shoved more in. It wasn't until his bowl was empty that he finally spoke. "Remind me ta let ya keep cookin'."

Carol chuckled around what she had in her mouth and waited til she swallowed to reply, "I take it you that you liked it?"

"Hell yeah I liked it," he said, setting his bowl on the floor at his feet.

"There's a little more left if you want it," she said as she finished up her bowl.

Looking at her bowl and seeing it was now empty, he took it from her and got his before getting up. He headed back into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with the two bowls. Handing hers back to her, he nodded, "Ya need ta eat more too."

Not wanting to argue with him, Carol took the bowl and then turned to face him some. Getting comfortable, she asked as she got some noodles on her spoon, "Did you see any signs of the fire while you were out there?"

Daryl nodded, licking his lips and then taking another bite, "Saw the smoke. Fires spread out...just not sure how far. Don't look like it's headin' this way though. Might push some deer and all out this way more. Might be able ta get us some meat."

"Could push the walkers towards us more too," Carol added softly. "Are we safe here if a herd comes through?"

Daryl had thought about that on his way back and of ways to reinforce the home. He had several idea's that could work to make the place even safer for them. He would just have to find some lumber to make all it work. "House is brick, so yeah...it's safe. Just need ta reinforce the doors really. I'll look around here tomorrow and see if I can find some boards ta use. Make it where they can't break the doors down."

A chill went through her body and Carol shook her head, "It feels like were prisoners in this world now. Just about everywhere we go those...things are there trying to kill us. Sophia is never going to know what a normal childhood is like. Her life will always be in danger."

Daryl set his empty bowl down and took hers, setting it with the other. Closing the distance between then, he took her hand in his and then lifted her chin so she was looking at him, "I'll protect you and Sophia. Ya know that. And I'm gonna teach y'all how ta protect yourselves too. Until then, as long as I'm breathin' then I'll keep ya both safe."

Carol reached up, moving a stand of his hair and whispered, "I know you will, Daryl." Unsure of how late it was, Carol took in a deep breath and then asked, "Are we sleeping out here again tonight?"

Daryl nodded and then looked around, "Be best 'til I get the doors done." Looking back at her, he leaned in, giving her a kiss and then smirked, "Go brush ya teeth woman and get ya ass ready for bed." Kissing her again, he then stood up and helped her get to her feet, "You take the couch...or ya want me to drag a mattress out here for ya?"

"No, the couch will be fine. Are you going get any sleep though?" she asked, raising her brow at him.

Knowing she wouldn't rest unless he did, Daryl hesitantly nodded and added, "Need ta clean my bow first though and check the house. You go on and get yourself ready."

Carol nodded and then got a candle, lighting it off of the other one and taking it with her to the bathroom where she had a bottle of boiled water for them to use to brush with and some clothes she had found earlier in the day, that she could wear. Granted, she still felt uneasy about wearing someone else's clothes, but, she had no choice. She would make do with what she now had. Brushing her teeth and then slipping on the oversized night gown she'd found in the master bedroom, she frowned at how it hanged on her even though it was only a large.

Not even her pregnant belly did anything to make it fit any better. She had lost a lot of weight since the turn, weight in which she desperately needed for the baby. Collecting her dirty clothes, she placed them in the kitchen on the table and went back out to the living room. Finding Daryl placing a sheet onto the couch for her, she smiled as he fluffed a pillow and then turned around, finding her watching him.

His cheeks reddened slightly as she caught him making her bed for her and he shrugged, "Thought ya might be more comfortable with a real pillow and all."

Walking over to him, Carol smirked and raised her brow, "Don't worry, Daryl...I'm not going to tell anyone you're pampering me."

He scoffed at her comment and she let out a small laugh as she got on the couch and laid down. Going over to the chair, he picked up his bow and pulled his rag from his back pocket. Taking a seat, he pulled the bolts from the quiver and began to clean one as she got comfortable and then drifted off to sleep.

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