Daryl wasn't sure how long he'd been sprawled out over the grass. Mac was breathing erratically next to him and both of them were waiting on Merle to appear. He'd still be running if it wasn' for those fucking cats. If he could have made it to the tree line he'd been safe. Merle might be fast but there was no keeping up in the woods when it came to him out there. Mac would have veered off but those goddamn cats.

"Have you consider if skinning a cat is like skinning a squirrel? Both are fucking rats." Mac sneered.

Daryl barked out a laugh and a shadow loomed over him. Blinking his eyes adjusted and he seen Hershel. Hershel shook his head and motioned them both up.

"There a reason you two are out here instead of with the party?"

"Got tripped up on some pussy." Mac quipped. "But I suppose that's better than tripping on a boner like Daryl here."

Hershel stared at them hard and made a face. He opened his mouth to speak and then just turned around. Daryl heard him muttering about praying for Will to have strength. Mac grinned and Merle appeared close by. Daryl watched his brother for a minute but couldn't help the snort that escaped.

"Which one of you done it?"

"Daryl." Mac shrugged, "Everyone is like Oh he's so sweet so sweet look at me i'm a little sweet pussy but he's a total dick."

Daryl glowered after Mac and Merle did as well. Mac picked up his pace before he started laughing again. Merle slammed into his back with the force of a train. They went down in a heap and he could hear grunts of pain and both snarling like two dogs. It didn't t take long for them to get separated but Daryl skirted around them. Honestly he just wanted away from everyone now. He wasn't in the mood for this shit.

Coming around the side of the house his eyes landed on Carol's mom and he blanched. No way in hell was he getting caught alone with her. She would accuse him of beating her kid again. Daryl darted over to where his dad was and leaned against the wall. Will handed him something to drink and studied him. Daryl just sipped his beer and chewed his lip. He always hated these fucking things. He hated gatherings of any kind, he didn't like crowds or people they made him anxious.

"You feeling alright?"

Daryl looked up at his dad and Jess. He shook his head and handed his beer to Will, "I'm going to go lay down my heads hurting."

Will watched him go but didn't comment. He could hear Carol laughing and smiled to himself. Good she needed a good say after the bullshit that was today. Merle appeared next to him and Daryl huffed.

"Did you put that goddamn mentos in my drink?"

"No." He deadpanned.

"That little cock sucker!"

Merle disappeared and Daryl took his chance escaping into the house. Shelby came in behind him and he made a dash for the stairs before someone seen him. Crashing into his room his shirt was ripped over his head and he started kicking his boots off. If he could get asleep fast enough his brothers would leave him alone, fuck just about everyone would. It wasn't often he just took off to sleep. He wasn't lazy and didn't like lying around when he could be doing something but today fucking sucked.

Not only did one of Carol's parents hate him- now it seemed both did. It gave him a sick feeling in his stomach. He wouldn't say anything though because it wasn't his place. It was her mom and she needed to deal with that herself. There was a difference in disapproval and abuse.

Daryl crawled into the bed and groaned as the cool sheets met his overheated skin. Fuck he was tired. Dragging the blankets up around himself, dragging the pillows, and sprawling out he felt his muscles relax. It didn't take long for his breathing to even out as he felt the bed dip for Shelby.

Carol looked around and frowned when she didn't see Daryl. His brothers were there. Both were laughing and cutting up and his uncle was with them. Will was talking to Annette, Hershel, her mother, and Shawn. Maggie was talking to Natalie and Carol huffed. There were others scattered around but they didn't matter.

"Carol did you even hear me?"

Carol blushed and looked at Andrea, "No, sorry."

Andrea smiled at her and shrugged, "He went inside about an hour ago. Heard him tell his dad he was going to bed."

Carol looked towards the door and Andrea smiled at her again sipping her drink. She wanted to go check on him because he'd not come over after getting back from whatever had him running from Merle. She didn't want to pester him though so she'd left him alone. With her mom there she found herself second guessing things that before would have been nothing at all. It was unsettling. Her and Daryl were solid so why was she letting her mother get to her. It wasn't like she could say much, she didn't exactly have the model relationship.

"How did she take the news of you staying here at the Dixon's?"

Carol huffed and threw her hands up, "Like a child."

Andrea laughed lightly and nodded, "I seen that coming honestly. Good wholesome Carol doing more than singing in the church choir."

Carol scowled at Andrea, "That was one time and I was forced to."

"Still you're the epitome of purity." Andrea grinned at her red face, "And then your mother finds out you've been sleeping in bed with Daryl. Someone who looks like walking sin dripping sex."

Carol flushed again because she agreed completely. Daryl didn't even realize how he attractive he was. It astounded her truthfully. He was oblivious to the looks he got.

"Anyways Halloween isn't far away." Andrea's smile turned ruthless, "Does this mean you get to be more than an old granny?"

Andrea's smile was too genuine and friendly for Carol to get upset. "I suppose."

Andrea hummed and sipped her drink. Carol blushed as her eyes swept over her and then her eyes brightened, "Have you and Daryl had sex?"

"ANDREA!" Carol hissed. She raised a brow and smiled, "You can't just ask that." Carol threw her hands up again.

"Sure I can, should I have signed it? Made a flash card? Texted? I'll try to remember to keep sex talk to written word." She waved away, "I told you what I let Merle do to me."

Carol's face paled and she shook her head, "I in no way asked about that. You just walked over talking about that on your own and then wouldn't stop."

Andrea licked her lips and then looked over where Merle was, "Well if you get a chance have Daryl do it and you'll see why I couldn't stop praising him."

Carol stormed away with Andrea's laugh chasing her. She slid into the house ignoring the call of her name. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She wanted Daryl, god did she want him. Carol scolded herself and clamped her jaws shut.

Taking the steps two at a time she walked down the hall and slipped into his room easily enough. His bed was a mess. It looked a pillow volcano exploded and he was the epicenter. Kicking her shoes off she walked over she startled when Shelby raised her head and growled before realizing it was Carol. She nestled back down and Carol grinned. Crawling over the footboard she made her way up into the bed. Daryl was still obscured by the blanket and she laughed to herself. He must have been killed out.

Shuffling down into the bed she something shoot out and hit her in the chest. Carol gasped as a hand tightened over her breast and her eyes shot to Daryl. He was dead to the world but it wasn't his hand. Carol pulled the blanket back and exposed Ellie nestled in Daryl's with her face pressed into his throat. Her grip tightened on Carol and she pulled her towards them and growled in her sleep. Daryl shifted his arm tightening around the little girl and shushing her in his sleep. Carol felt her heart melt and shifted closer to them sandwiching Ellie between them.

Daryl muttered in his sleep. When she was close enough she felt his hand on Ellie's back against her stomach where her shirt rode up. His hand twitched and then he was dragging it up over her. He pulled her more towards him and his sleep heavy arm draped over her. He rolled suddenly and Ellie was on his chest in the same position as she'd been on the bed. Now Carol was curled into Daryl's side and she smiled as he adjusted his arm to be underneath her pillow and against her back.

He yawned sleepily and rolled his head over towards her. He blinked slowly like the effort to do so was a physical burden. He gave her a loose smile and then his forehead was pressed against hers. Her arm went around him as well, laying low over his stomach just against the top of his boxers she felt her eyelids getting heavy.

"What time is it?" He mumbled

Carol cracked her eye open and met one of his blue ones in the dark, "A good time as any."

He chuckled and she leaned up giving him a chaste kiss her eyes shooting to the little girl sprawled over him.

"I like the way you think."

Carol hummed and rubbed his hip. He was like a furnace. He jerked and shifted away from her glaring. She grinned and ran her nails over the sensitive skin again. She kept it up until Ellie started huffing in her sleep.

"Your mom hates me."

Carol sighed, "My mom hates the idea of you."

Daryl opened his eyes further and stared at her, "Yeah I'm sure she'll be real happy once she figures out exactly where you're sleeping at night and what you like grabbing ahold of in your sleep."

Carol blushed, "ONE time, Daryl!" she hissed.

He snorted, "More times than that I just woke up before you and got out of bed first."

Carol swallowed. Dear god she was a raper. She was molesting him in his sleep. In HER sleep!

"Bedroom Bandit." Daryl taunted.

"I hate you."

"No you don't." He pulled her against him all the way and she molded her body to his.

"No, no I really don't."

His breathing evened out again and she smiled against his shoulder. She'd held her words back because she wasn't sure how he'd react yet to hearing that she loved him. It was true though. It didn't matter how anyone else felt about other than him because she was starting to think he felt the same way.