Chapter 37

A/N: So how was that last chapter? Depressing? Frightening? Edge of your seat type? Haha hope so! Anyway, enjoy!
McBrideReedusLover.~

Daryl sat in a chair beside their bed. They had moved her there yesterday. It had been three days since the accident, and she still hadn't showed any signs of waking up. Hershel said it was very possible that she slipped into a coma from the fall. When Daryl heard that, he felt like dying. If Carol was in a coma, she may never wake up again. That killed Daryl, knowing he couldn't do anything to help her. "I'm sorry Carol. Said I'd protect ya.." Daryl sighed. Just then, Hershel walked in to check on her.
"Has she showed any sign of movement?" Hershel asked as he walked in. Daryl just shook his head. "I can be almost certain that she is in a coma. Now, I don't know how long it will last. She could wake up within the week, or years from now. We'll just have to wait and see." Hershel checked her over. "Her heartbeat is normal and her breathing is regular. Rick, Glenn and Merle went out to find some IV. She needs fluid, and we don't have that. They didn't bother to ask you, they figured you'd want to stay here." Hershel headed to the door. "Don't worry too much Daryl." He said, and walked out.
"You'd worry if it was Maggie or Beth." Daryl muttered and moved to lie beside her. "Don't do this Carol." He whispered. "Wake up soon."

Hershel hooked up the IV fluids. "Perfect." He nodded, and left Daryl alone once again.
"It ain't perfect. Seein' 'er like this." Daryl sighed to himself. He looked up as Faith entered the room.
"Hey." She said, and sat on the chair. "How is she?"
"Nothin' new." Daryl looked at Carol. Faith could see the pain in his eyes.
"Carol's strong. I know she'll wake up." Faith tried to give him hope. "Oh, and dinner is ready downstairs. They want you to go down there. Spend some times with the others."
"I ain't leavin' her." Daryl looked at Faith. "I'm stayin' right here."
Faith sighed, it was worth a shot. "Alright, I'll just bring it to you." She stood up, and walked out. She entered the kitchen where Beth was dishing out the meal.
"He's not coming, is he?" Beth looked up as Faith walked in. Faith just shook her head. "It's a shame. But I understand him. I didn't want to leave daddy when he was out."
"Yeah. It must be hard on him. Anyway, I came to get his dinner, since he won't come down and get it." Faith grabbed a plate, and walked back to Daryl's room. "Here." She said as she set the plate down on the bedside table. "You better eat. Carol would want you to." Faith took one last look at Carol before leaving.
Daryl looked at the plate of food.
"Brought you some dinner, you must be starving." Daryl remembered when Carol brought him food when he was injured. She said so much that evening. "You're every bit as good as them. Every bit." That stuck with him. She gave him hope and strength. And he just shrugged it off back then. He'd give anything to hear her voice right now.

Another two days passed. She had been out almost a week now. Every day was worse for Daryl. He didn't want to do anything or see anyone. He just wanted to stay with Carol. If she were to wake up, he wanted to be the first thing she saw.
"I'll protect ya." Was all Daryl could think about. He promised he would protect her. And he failed. He hated himself for not going to look for her, if he had, none of this would have happen. If he had just gone to find her, Carol would be awake, uninjured. Many times Faith had said not to worry, that it wasn't his fault, but how would she know? She wasn't there. He wanted to look for her, but for some reason, he just didn't. That was his biggest regret in life. Because he didn't go look for her, Carol may never come back.

"Daryl, we need to discuss something." Rick walked into the room, and stood beside Daryl. "We need to talk about Carol."
"What about her." Daryl stood up, and glared at Rick.
"If she wakes up. What if she isn't herself." Rick crossed his arms.
"What do you mean by that?" Daryl growled.
"I mean, what if she wakes up and she's a walker? You're going to have to kill her." Rick looked down at Carol. He hoped it wouldn't have to come to that.
If Rick wasn't the leader, he'd punch him out right now. "That ain't gonna happen."
"You don't know that Daryl." Rick narrowed his eyes.
"She's gonna wake up just fine. Now leave me be!" Daryl shouted. No way was he going to sit there and listen to Rick talk about that. No one had the right to talk about Carol like that. She would be fine. She was strong. She was a survivor. And just like every other time, she would survive this. Daryl slammed the door after Rick walked out. Why did everyone always give up on Carol? They always assumed she would be the one to go. They acted as if she wasn't strong, when really, she was the strongest one in the entire group. If it wasn't for Carol, they wouldn't be here today. She was the one who saved them back at the CDC. She was a true survivor. He walked over to the bed, and lied down beside her. "Wake up soon Carol. Prove everyone that you can make it through this." Daryl wrapped his arms around her. "I love you."

A/N: Yes, it's a shorter chapter. So sorry about that! I'm not very good at writing long chapters when Carol's not here! Please, R&R lovelies!
McBrideReedusLover.~