Carol tightened her grip on Daryl feeling his resistance into be lead away with her and her mother. She didn't blame him, not really. Her mother done nothing but stare at him and hide her scowl. Carol remembered the easy smile her mother always had for her and how she always encouraged her. She'd never seen that look before and it made her grit her teeth. Who was she to judge the Dixon's? To judge Daryl!

Where was the woman that at the fair when she got her first glimpse of Daryl had been all smiles and charm. Now she was almost cold. The tension in her shoulders was making Carol wince with each step she took. Daryl was no better- he'd just gotten out of jail and had busted bloody knuckles. That was going to look real good.

Daryl motioned into the Will's office and Carol nodded understanding that this was the best place for whatever was to come. Her mother moved with the quiet ease she'd always had and Carol moved in behind her with Daryl shutting the door behind them. He leaned against the wall and Carol was torn with going to her mom and clinging to him. Deciding that neither would work right now she held her ground on her own. She was her own person and didn't need her mother to coddle her or Daryl to shield her.

Her mother was looking at her quietly. Everything about her was quiet right now. She was unreadable and Carol swallowed.

"I know you have questions."

Her mother nodded, "I do." She clasped her hands in her lap, "You knew what trouble being with one of Will's son would cause so why do it?"

Carol didn't flinch but felt her anger start thrumming. How dare her question her decision. Was she supporting her husband right now? Even after everything he'd done? After the abuse? After how he'd attacked her. Or did she not even know about it? Of course she didn't. She would think that her husband had left Carol alone and that was it. That anything he'd said was all Carol's fault for daring to fall in love with someone despite her father's wishes. It wasn't fair.

Daryl for his part didn't say anything. She seen the ticking in his jaw and knew he had a mouthful right then to snarl at the woman. Maybe he was still primed and ready for a fight or it could be that like with Phillip he wouldn't stand for someone talking to her like this. She wouldn't either. He'd went to damned jail for her!

"I'm not a kid." Carol huffed, "And after all the lies and you even telling me to leave; basically to run you expect me to turn away from the one person who makes me happy?"

Her mother did flinch at that but her eyes turned to Daryl then. Her eyes swept over him lingering on his hand and Carol watched her eyes widen. She bit her lip before looking back to Carol. She was scared.

"He's not like Marcus." Carol snapped, "For you to even think he'd put his hands on me with intent to hurt me is disgusting!"

Daryl's eyes shot to her then to her mother and they hardened. Carol watched as fire and brimstone formed and burned in his eyes. It was fierce and strong. There was a sudden knock at the door then Annette was in there with Will right behind her. Annette ignored everyone but Daryl. He stepped out of the way of the door and Will shut it softly. The look on his face told Carol he'd heard her words. She didn't care either because she was pissed.

Annette crowded Daryl and grabbed his hands and made a noise. "What happened? When we got here and you were gone- well I knew you'd take her to get her mother but I sure didn't think you'd get hurt."

Daryl shrugged and tried to pull his hand away. Annette held tight and Will leaned closer inspecting his hand. Daryl had been keeping it away from everyone. She knew he was hurting from the way he'd flex his hand then shake it. She could only imagine how bad Phillip looked right now. In fact she would love to see just that.

"What happened, Daryl?" Annette demanded.

She was pulling him around the desk to a first aid box that was on it. Carol smiled to herself at the fact that it was so readily available. Such rough and tumble men. Annette shoved him to the desk and he set back on it. He looked like a little boy being scolded. Carol looked over at her mother and she was watching with interest. If there was anything she knew it was that Annette had a heart of gold and didn't surround herself with bad people.

Daryl was speaking but just low enough that Annette heard. She made a noise and then frowned.

"Why lord, that man is a pig." She shook her head, "How dare him! He needs more than prayed for I tell you what."

Daryl chuckled and jerked when poured alcohol over his knuckles.

Will arched a brow at Carol's mother. She met his eyes and blanched. "You think my son hurt your daughter?" His arms crossed over his chest, a solid wall of Dixon anger battering the room.

Danielle met his eyes, "What was I to think? He comes in here bloody and bruised, your other son beats my husband in our yard, and don't get me started on the other!"

Will shoved off the wall, "You got a lot of fuckin' nerve coming into my goddamn house with that shit when MY sons are the ones who have kept YOUR husband from killing your daughter!" He barked silencing the entire room.

It was the type of silence that was too thick to swallow around. That pulled the air from your lungs and burned with anger. It was the type of silence that screamed with anger and dared you defy the truth thrust at you. It was the type of silence that had made her mother pale so far she looked like a dead body.

"What?" She breathed.

Carol swallowed and looked at the floor. She wanted Daryl. There was shuffling and then she seen Annette ushering Daryl over to her before she moved to where her mother was.

"Danielle- I know you gave that man a lot of years and you know how he is." Her voice was soft, "I know you seen it and you even told me you wanted to get Carol out of there." There was no judgement in her voice, "What these men are saying is the truth. Shawn was one of the officers that seen the damage done to her apartment after he broke in. When he hit Carol I agreed with Will that the best thing for her was to not be alone- or get caught alone."

Danielle had tears leaking from her eyes. Carol leaned against Daryl's chest and watched as her mother struggled with a lifetime of being told what to believe and a truth that scared her just as much. Annette wrapped her arms around Danielle and kissed the side of her head.

"You need to get out of there too. It's why I was so adamant that they came and got you today." Her voice was soft but turned scolding quickly, "And for your information he busted his knuckles defending your daughter against that beast Marcus hung out with."

Danielle flinched and looked up seeking Daryl's eyes but he wouldn't meet them and instead looked to WIll. He was pissed, he was hurt but he nodded. He understood. It was easier to lash out then face hard facts. There was a lot being dumped on her plate at the moment and while it didn't seem that much she just lost her marriage and likely everything from it.

"I don't know what to do." She whispered, "I've never not had him there."

Annette nodded and Carol turned into Daryl more. Her fingers inched under his shirt in the back seeking out his skin. The warmth of him soothing her nerves. She was a wreck from the time they took him to the time she seen him again. Her mother would get over it.

Danielle nodded and Carol felt eyes on her as her mother started speaking again, "I'm sure that I can stay with Carol until I get things straightened out, like you said she doesn't need to be alone anyways."

Carol tensed and Daryl went rigid the second she did. He had no reason to really feel panicked but he read her easily and knew that his was going to either go really bad or her mother was going to- hell she didn't know.

"Nonsense." Annette laughed, "You'll stay with me. Will's already got a houseful!"

Danielle started to speak and Carol wanted to die. "No, I can't do that and Carol's will be just fine. I won't impose on either of you. I appreciate the offer I do but-"

Will waved her away his eyes on Carol. There was an amused glint in his eyes. Maybe it was because he was still embarrassed from walking in on her and Daryl or maybe he was just like his sons. Either way she groaned. Annette laughed and patted Danielle's knee.

"Honey Carol don't have room." Annette laughed again, "Besides I'm not sure Daryl would appreciate it that much."

Danielle's eyes swiveled over to her. Carol watched the way her mother looked at her and seen something there. Her mother was putting it together. The understanding landing in her eyes violently. There went all her well constructed images of Carol being a good girl in her eyes. She was sharing a bed with a man out of wedlock. Her mother was going to call her a harlot!

Daryl untangled himself from Carol and she sucked in a breath. Maybe she should have mentioned where she was staying. Though at the time it didn't occur to her. She'd been too worried. From seeing him arrested then her father showing up her mind was a mess. Now she was paying for it. Annette gave her a reassuring look as she passed and Daryl left as quietly.

Now alone with her mother that silence was back. Her mother regarded her but she didn't know what the look was. Maybe she didn't know her as well as she'd once thought she did. At one time she thought they were just alike. Two people trapped by the same man who were so much alike that it was almost painful. Sure she'd been scared at first getting away but that taste of freedom and happiness was all she needed to know she'd made the right decision. Her mother was scared. She was a life time of scared and it showed.

"You live with him." It was a statement. "You barely know him."

Carol fought getting defensive. Her mother wasn't here for everything that had happened. Her mother missed so much already in such a short time that it honestly scared Carol. Why hadn't she checked on her? Why hadn't she asked more questions of her husband. Because it was a lifetime of conditioning to not ask questions of the man who trained you. Carol was suddenly furious. How dare her level her with condemnation.

"I do." Her chin lifted and her eyes heated, "I have."

Her mom leaned back and raised a brow, "I don't know what to say you."

"I don't need you to say anything about it." Carol stared right at her, "I need you to act like a mother and not a judge. I'm happy, I'm really happy for once in my life and I don't have someone lingering around me threatening to beat me or worse every day and night. Can't you just be happy for me?" She breathed the last words like they pained her to even say.

Her mother teared up and nodded, "I am happy but Carol he won't take kindly to this. I know I was wrong to suggest that Daryl would hurt you. I seen the look in his eyes when I said that. He isn't your father, none of these men are but you know that given a chance your father will get even. Whether it be something to you or him it will happen."

"I'm not going to let him dictate my life, not anymore."

Her mother nodded and smiled faintly, "You've changed."

Carol gave her a sad smile, "No, I'm who I've always been; now I can speak freely and love freely."

They were quiet for some time and Carol's mother slowly relaxed. She looked tired and worn. Carol didn't want to go back out to the party. Honestly she just wanted to sleep. She wanted to drag Daryl to bed and have him wrap around her. She wanted to feel his body heat soak into her and warm her. Right now though she needed to figure out what to do with her mother.

A loud squeal out in the hall followed by the sound of Jess calling for his daughter made Carol smile. She could hear the little girl screaming for Daryl. Her mother turned eyes to the door and arched a brow.

"Is this serious...this thing with him?"

Carol swallowed. She wasn't sure what Daryl felt. At times she thought she could read him better than anything but other times he was a mystery. Serious? Yes for her it very much was and she believed it was for him as well. He beat a man today for her. That wasn't to be taken lightly, Daryl wasn't a violent man.

"Yes."

"And you love him?"

Carol felt her face heat up but nodded. Her mother smiled at her and Carol smiled back. Her mother smiled at her again but it was different this time. It was the one only a mother could give. Carol ducked her head sheepishly and walked over finally to the couch. Taking a seat next to her mother she leaned back.

"You should give him a chance."

Her mother hummed, "I don't think I have a choice in that. It seems he's here to stay. You've already moved in with him." She mused, "Tell me you're being careful." Carol felt her face blaze red and her mother eyed her, "I might be old but I'm not blind. I seen the way you were looking at him and clinging to him."

Carol grumbled under her breath but nodded and her mother smiled. She pulled her over against her and Carol relaxed. Her fingers were running through Carol's hair and she was humming. It'd been a long time since they'd had peace enough to be like this. Despite the clear signs of a struggle somewhere in the hall, a party, a feud between families, and a screaming kid she was happy. Things would work out. It had no choice but to, she'd take no other way but to have her happy ending for her and everyone she cared about.

Carol yawned and her mother stifled hers, "I'm not mad at you. I only ever wanted you to be happy and if he is what does that then I have no complaints." Her fingers unsnapped a tangle in her hair, "His father is a good man and I'm sure he is just as well. I don't want you to ever be scared like I was, like I am. Not of the man that is supposed to love you and want to keep you safe. I'm happy for you, Carol."

Carol nodded, "Todays a good day. Things will work out."

They both settled into the couch more.

"GODDAMN IT MERLE!" Daryl barked suddenly close by.

"Yeah, GODDAM IT MERLE!" Mac bellowed.

"You fidgeting no pussy getting faggots!" Merle snarled.

"WRONG WRONG WRONNNNG WRONG, WRONG!" Mac sing songed loudly, "Daryl has a live in wife you lonely fuck. Go cuddle Pussy and Boner."

Carol cringed at Mac's words. Jesus her mother was still adjusting to this. Mac was such an ass.

"Blow me." Merle snapped.

"GET THE FUCK OFF ME!" Daryl yelled followed by a crash, "WHAT. THE . FUCK!"

There was a loud thump then the sounds of dogs barking and cats hissing before a door slammed open. Carol turned her head and watched out the window as Daryl and Mac sprinted across the yard away from a steam rolling Merle. Some how Daryl lost his shirt it seemed in whatever happened and Mac's was torn only partially on him. Merle had the other half of the shirt in his hand as he took off after them. He was fast. Faster than she thought he'd be and gaining on them. Sassy and Shelby weren't far behind and surprisingly cats weren't far behind them. She wasn't even going to ask what happened.

"One thing about it..." Her mother laughed lightly, "They are entertaining."