Ok, a little bit of a time jump here, but not by much...just a week. And don't worry...I'm already working on the next chapter so I can get it out to y'all either later tonight or sometime tomorrow!

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CARYL ON!

Daryl looked out towards where he had been seeing the smoke from the fires to find the skies finally clear. They had been at the house for almost a week now making do the best they could. Daryl went out a few times a day, checking the snares he had placed around the property and had gotten lucky on a few days. They had a nice supply of food stored up now from a few runs he had made and with the fresh meat, it was allowing the rest to last longer.

He had seen very few walkers on the property, but made sure to put them down so they wouldn't draw others to them. Even with the house being as secluded and as far away from the road as it was, Daryl still wasn't taking any chances.

Going back into the dollar store and getting the last of the bags he had filled, Daryl placed them into the back of the car and closed the trunk. Pulling out a pack of smokes he'd been lucky to find, he lit one and looked around the little town. Granted there wasn't much to the place except the dollar store, a couple gas stations, a restaurant and post office, but it had been like a gold mine. The dollar store was untouched so Daryl had been able to clear out all the baby supplies, medicines, food, batteries and bottled water. He had also found two handguns in the office as well as a box of ammo for them.

With winter closing in fast on them, Daryl had also made sure to grab them some clothes as well. He hadn't been sure what sizes Carol would need, but had guessed and taken a few different sizes of shirts and pants. He had even grabbed each of them a jacket to help them stay warm, along with socks and undergarments.

Getting in behind the wheel, Daryl decided he could wait until the following day to come back and hit the restaurant and gas stations. It was getting late in the afternoon and needed to get back to the house and Carol. He had promised her he would be back before sunset and intended to keep that promise.

It only took him a half an hour to reach the house and as he pulled up in front of the garage he pulled his knife. Two walkers were trying to claw there way in at the garage door and turned as the vehicle came to a stop. With their attention now on him, Daryl got out quickly, and took out the closest one, driving his knife deep into the walkers eye socket. Withdrawing the knife and pushing the corpse to the side, he lounged at the other, the sound of bone cracking as he penetrated it's skull and went still before dropping to the ground like the other.

Wiping his knife off on the shirt of the second walker, he then holstered the blade and began to drag the bodies away from the house. Nothing was worse then the smell of rotting flesh and even though he was used to it now, he didn't want Carol getting sick again from the smell. When he finished up, he opened the bay door on the garage and pulled the car inside. He had cleaned out the place and had even pushed the other car out being it wasn't of use. Closing the garage door back, he got his crossbow out and headed inside to check on Carol.

Pacing around the living room and rubbing her lower back with one hand, Carol tried to keep her mind off things. She had awoken that morning to some light cramping but had thought nothing of it when it had gone away just as quickly as it had came on. But throughout the day the cramping had been coming and going, but it really wasn't consistent. She had timed a few, but the time between them was anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour. After referring to the books she had on hand, she figured they were nothing more then Braxton Hicks contractions and that her body was just preparing itself for when Sophia was due to arrive.

Hearing a car pull in, Carol peeked out the window and saw Daryl as he got out and took out two walkers. She had already fixed them a hardy stew with the rabbit he had caught earlier that morning and had it simmering on the stove waiting for his return. The cooler air in the house caused goosebumps to rise up on her arms and Carol rubbed them briskly as she headed to the door to let him in.

Hearing the garage door close, she removed the boards Daryl had used to secure the doors more and give them more safety. Opening the door up, she looked out as he opened the trunk and shivered as the cool air hit her. Wrapping her arms around herself, she came down the two steps into the garage, "I take it you found more stuff?"

"Found a gold mine," he smirked as he pulled out the purple jacket he had gotten for her and handed it over, "Put that on."

Taking the jacket from him, Carol looked at it and then slipped it on. It didn't quite fit around her belly but for now it would have to do. Looking in as he got his hands loaded up with bags, she was surprised at how much he had found, "Oh my God...where did you find all this?"

"Hit that little town just south of here," he said as he moved past her and took the bags inside. When he came back out, she was getting out the loose clothes he hadn't bothered to bag up, "Place hadn't been picked over yet. Gonna head back there tomorrow and hit the restaurant and gas stations. Might find us some more food at least and maybe some more water."

Getting an armful of the clothes, she then followed him back in, "So it's safe there?"

Placing the bags onto the table, Daryl shook his head as he helped her with the clothes, "Wouldn't say that. Ran inta a few walkers, nothin' I couldn't handle though. Cleaned out the dollar store there. That's where all this shit came from."

Heading back out, he noticed she didn't immediately follow him and looked back over his shoulder. Seeing her rubbing her back, he turned back towards her with concern written all over his features, "You okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Carol forced a smile and then nodded before walking towards him, "Yeah. I'm fine. It's nothing."

"Don't look like nothin'. What's wrong?" he asked, not letting up.

Carol sighed and breathed out, "Just some Braxton Hicks contractions. It's nothing though."

"Braxton Hicks?" he asked, confused.

"False labor," she said, raising her brow. Coming to him, she patted his chest, "I'm fine. It's normal, so don't worry. I still have a couple weeks before Sophia's due. It's just my body preparing for her, that's all."

Chewing on his lip, Daryl then nodded in understanding and led her back out to the car. Once they had everything inside, he closed and locked the door back before pulling out a couple of the bottles of water. Opening one and handing it to her, he then opened his and took a long drink. Pointing over to the clothes, he sighed, "Wasn't sure what size ta get ya. Maybe some of that will fit. If not, I'll get more when I go back, just let me know."

Carol picked up a red long sleeve cotton v-neck shirt and held it up to herself, smiling. It had been a long time since she had anything new, or even anything with any type of style to it. Ed had always made her wear clothes that were too big and not in style. That made her look older then her actual age and did nothing but make her look bigger then she was. Running a hand over the material, she looked back up at Daryl, "This looks like it'll fit."

Daryl couldn't help but stare at her and how the red material brought out a hidden beauty he hadn't seen in her before. The corner of his lips lifted slightly as he watched her, pleased that he decided to grab her that shirt after all. Picking up the package of women's socks and thermal's, he handed them to her too, "These will help keep ya warm. It'll be gettin' colder at night now."

She took them and couldn't stop smiling. It had been a long time since anyone had gone out there way to get her something nice and that she actually needed. Something she could actually use and put to good use with no strings attached. Looking back at him she then looked at the table, "What about you?"

Picking up the couple pair of jeans and three shirts, he then got the other package of socks and thermals, "Got me some too. Plenty more there if'n we need 'em." Grabbing the three pair of sweat pants, he bit his lip as he handed them over, "Thought ya might be more comfortable in these...and warmer. Didn't have any pregnancy clothes there."

"These are perfect," Carol said as she placed the other items down and took the pants. Checking the sizes, they would fit her and she would finally be able to be more comfortable. Setting them with the others, she closed the distance between then and wrapped her arms around him, "Thank you."

Placing his hands on her hips, he held her to him, "It's nothin'."

"That's where..." she started and then hissed as her left hand came around, rubbing her lower back and her face crinkling at the twinge of pain.

Dropping his hands, Daryl took a step back, "I didn't hurt ya, did I?"

Shaking her head, she waved him off and turned, using the table for support with her other hand as she continued to rub the area. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath in, slowly releasing it and then another. Once the pain eased off a few seconds later, she slowly stood back up straight and noticed his scowl.

"Ya ain't fine, so don't even say it," he said before she could get a word out. "How long you been hurtin'?"

Sighing, she reached for one of the bags but he stopped her with his hand going to her wrist. Cocking a brow at him, she pulled her hand back and he let her go and then crossed her arms over her chest. "I woke up with them this morning. It's totally normal, Daryl. I've already looked it up in those books. They're not consistent and they haven't gotten any worse. A lot of women go through this...some throughout most of their pregnancy."

Daryl was still somewhat unconvinced and motioned her to one of the chairs, "Ya shouldn't be up and all. Supposed ta still be takin' it easy."

"And I have been! Dammit, Daryl...I'm pregnant, not convalescent! I can still do stuff...and until I actually go into labor, I will not be treated like some...some...child," she said pointing her finger at him and slowly closing the distance between them.

Daryl could see the anger in her eyes and knew he had pushed her too far, but he was worried. Someone had to watch out for her and being Hershel, Otis or one of the other women wasn't there, it fell onto him. Holding his hands up in frustration with her, he growled out, "Fine! Do what the hell ya want!" Moving around her, he snatched up his clothes, leaving the room and heading down the hallway, mumbling as he went, "Hard headed, stubborn, bitch."

Coming to what had been a guest room, he went in, tossing his clothes onto the bed and slamming the door shut behind him. Pacing the small space, he then flopped down on his back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Even though they had been sharing the master bedroom being it had a king size bed, he figured they needed space between them.

Hearing the door slam to one of the rooms, Carol huffed and turned, starting to pull stuff out of the bag he has stopped her from getting into, "Overbearing asshole." Not even really looking at what she was pulling out, she just set everything onto the table and before she knew it she had three bags unpacked. Picking up several canned goods and placing them into her arm to carry over to the counter where the other food was, she breathed out, "I'm not going to be a burden to anyone anymore."

Carol made several trips back and forth from the table to the counter before she had all the canned goods there. They had enough to last them a good while now if need be. Daryl had talked the night before about heading back towards the warehouse to see if it was still standing or if they should consider moving on or staying put where they were. There really was no telling where the group might be at now. Standing there, Carol longed to be with her friends. She missed Jacqui and Lori both, but also the others. They had become her family.

Feeling bad for snapping at Daryl like she had, she knew it wasn't his fault for worrying. He had a lot on his plate now with having not only to protect himself, but also her and her unborn child. He had made sacrifices to make sure they were safe and she had just dismissed it like it meant nothing to her. The sound of his footfalls coming into the kitchen brought her out of her thoughts and Carol turned, watching him. He didn't look at her or even say a word. He had withdrawn and she couldn't blame him one bit.

Wanting to make amends with him, she went over to the stove and dished him out a bowl of the stew. She had found a few flavor packets for water in some of the stuff he had brought back days before and got a bottle of water and made one up for him. Taking both over to the table where he was going through one of the bags and pulling stuff out, she placed them onto the table next to the bag, her voice coming out soft, "You must be hungry. Eat and then we can get this stuff put up."

Not saying anything, he pulled the guns out along with the box of ammo and set them out on the table. Checking the first one and finding it loaded, he then checked the other and saw it only had one bullet. Loading it, he then set them aside and closed up the box of ammunition.

Seeing he wasn't going to acknowledge her, Carol nodded and then went back over to the stove and started to fix her a bowl. Another contraction started and Carol dropped the bowl, her hand going to her belly and the other to the stove to help her stand.

At the sound of a breaking dish, Daryl's head whipped around, seeing Carol in pain and rushed over to her. He didn't know what to do for the woman, but it was obvious to him, something was wrong. Hovering close, he watched as she took in a few deep breaths before she slowly stood back up and raised here eyes to him, "They gettin' worse?"

Tears began to rim Carol's eyes and she nodded before breathing out softly, "I can't be going into labor. It's not time."

Taking her hand in his left, his right arm went around her and he began to lead her away from the stove and towards the living room, "Let's get ya sittin'. Might just need ta rest."

Carol didn't argue with him, instead she looked at his calm face as he walked with her, "I'm sorry...about earlier, Daryl."

Getting her to the couch, Daryl got her comfortable and then went and got the bowl of stew she had fixed for him. Handing it to her, he nodded to it and placed the bottle of water next to her, "Need ta eat...keep up your strength."

"This is yours," she said, not wanting to eat his is portion of the meal.

"I'll get more. Eat," he said as he headed back into the kitchen and cleaned up the mess on the floor. When he was done, he returned with another bowl and a bottle of flavored water. Sitting in the chair next to the couch, he leaned back and got himself comfortable before digging into the meal.

Taking notice that he was still withdrawn, Carol decided to just let him work through what he needed to and not push him anymore on it. She had apologized to him and that was all she could do. He would talk to her when he was ready. They ate in silence, Carol picking through her bowl until another contraction began. Setting her bowl on the cushion next to the one she was on, her hands went to her stomach and she closed her eyes, trying to work through the cramping pain.

Daryl had been watching her out the corner of his eye as he ate and when she began to hurt again, he slowed his chewing, focusing his attention on her. He had no clue what to do. He had never been around a women having a kid, and had never really even been around a woman who was pregnant. He was totally out of his comfort zone.

As the contraction eased up, Carol opened her eyes to find him watching her. Taking in a breath, she then sighed, "If this is real labor, I need to get a few things ready."

Daryl nodded and set his bowl aside and got up, offering her a hand. Helping her up, she then headed back to the bedroom and he followed a few steps behind. She went straight to the bed and pulled back the covers and then the fitted sheet. Thinking for a moment, she then looked over at him, "Can you get that plastic shower curtain out of the bathroom in the hallway?"

Without a word, he left the room and went to the bathroom to get what she needed. When he returned, he handed it to her and watched as she folded it in half and then spread it over the bed. She recovered it with the sheet again and remade the bed before looking around the room again.

Trying to think of what else they might need, Carol left out the room and went in search of scissors and string. Glancing over her shoulder when she heard him following, she went back to the kitchen. "We're gonna need towels...and...I don't know...some water too."

Daryl listened, making a mental list of what to get for her when she stopped suddenly and grabbed for the wall. Coming up behind her, his hands went to her waist, helping to support her as she let out a small groan. Hating that she was hurting, he asked softly, "Need me ta get ya some medicine or somethin'?"

Carol shook her head and then took in a breath as the contraction ended before speaking, "No. I can't take anything. It won't help." Turning and looking into his eyes, she whispered, "Just promise me you won't leave. I can't do this alone."

Daryl nodded slightly, his voice soft, "Promise."

Giving him a small smile, Carol then turned back and went to retrieve the scissors from the drawer where she had seen them along with a small sewing kit. Daryl hovered close by her, gathering some of the bottled water up into his arms to take to the bedroom for her. Finding them, she closed the drawer back and went to take a step when suddenly she felt warm water running down her legs.

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