Chapter 16 – What the Future Holds

When Daryl had heard a man's scream, he had instinctively rushed outside. What he had seen had made him rush towards the scene with a speed he didn't know he possessed. Carol was literally kicking this man's balls into his throat. He didn't know the man on the ground, but he did recognize the man who was pulling Carol away. Shane. Was he going to arrest Carol?

It wasn't until he was closer that Daryl realized that Carol was in no danger of being arrested. He was checking her face over, and Daryl could see the blood trickling down from her nose. What the fuck? Who was the guy on the ground, and how the fuck did Carol get injured? He had obviously missed a lot.

She didn't speak, even when his strong arms came around her in what he was hoping was a comforting hug. He tried not to crush her, but his relief that she seemed ok was overwhelming. In addition to the bloody nose, she was also favoring her ribs. What had that fat fuck on the ground done to her? He needed to get her back home right away. Home is where they were safe.

Shane filled him in. The words were running through his head, fragmented. Carol's ex-husband Ed, assault, arrest imminent, hospital. That first one was tripping him up. Another deputy arrived to handle the asshole ex in question. When the other deputy had him cuffed, he sat him up on the ground. They were waiting for the ambulance to transport him to the hospital. While the other officer was radioing for an ETA, Shane was trying to convince Carol to also get checked out at the hospital. Carol was having none of it.

"I don't need the hospital, Shane. I'll be fine. He's done worse."

"You need to be checked out ma'am."

"Please don't call me ma'am. I promise I will call Andrea, Tara, or Rosita to stop by and check me over if that would make you feel better. I will not go there when it's obvious that is where he will be taken. I didn't leave Michigan just to spend time in the same building as him. I will be just fine getting checked over at home."

Shane didn't like it, but he finally agreed. He had no choice. Carol turned into Daryl's arms, and they started walking back towards the house.

Daryl felt like he should be doing more. Maybe he should say something? But what could he say? Her ex-husband was being arrested for attacking her. If he was going to be held on charges, Carol would be safe to return to her life in Michigan. She could get her real name back. Daryl had never pushed her to tell him her real name. To him, she was Carol. Anything else didn't matter.

He had pressed the gel icepack to her face and waited for her to speak. Beyond assuring him she was fine; she hadn't spoken a word. She sat at the table while Glenn was on the phone with Tara. Daryl just kept staring out the kitchen window, visions of her leaving assaulting him. He knew it was inevitable. He just needed to man up about it and be happy for her. Knowing that and doing that were two separate things though. Could he say goodbye to her? He didn't want to. He had come to care a great deal for her in this short period of time. He always knew she was married, but his heart told him that her marital status didn't really matter. He steeled his spine and realized Glenn had left the room. It was just the two of them now. As he spoke to her, he never turned to face her. He directed his question to the window.

"Suppose yer goin' back to Michigan?"

"What?"

"Michigan. With your husband under arrest here, suppose yer goin' back?"

Carol didn't say anything. He wasn't even looking at her. Did he want her to leave? Was this him taking the opportunity to be rid of her? That idea stung. She wanted more with Daryl. More than friendship, and he was trying to say goodbye?

"If you want me to leave, I will. I won't be going back to Michigan though. There is nothing there for me other than a name that I don't want. Can you just give me some time to find a place to rent here in Kennesaw? Then I'll be out of your hair."

His stomach lurched a bit at the thought that she assumed he wanted her gone. She wanted to stay in Kennesaw? Had he heard that correctly? He turned around to face her, surprised that she had tears welling up in her eyes.

"Don't want ya to go anywhere. Just thought you wanted to since he's gonna be locked up."

"I don't want to go. Kennesaw is my home now."

Daryl turned this over in his mind, not exactly sure where to go next. He knew what he wanted. He knew he wanted her. He wanted a future with her here in this house. This was home.

"What do you want Carol?" He was praying she understood the true meaning behind his words.

"How do you mean?" She was afraid to say what she really wanted.

"What do you want from me?" The statement could have come out harshly, and the words in any other situation would have been. He made sure that he said them gently, with warmth behind them.

She could hear the uncertainty behind the words. There was no force behind them. It almost sounded as though he was hoping she would be with him, really be with him. Could she be imagining things? Could she be that lucky in life finally? She decided to go for it. She knew that no matter what she said, she would still have him as a friend. If she spoke from the heart, the only thing she was risking was the room she was sleeping in. In that case, she would just find an apartment in Kennesaw.

"I want to stay here, Daryl. This is home. With you. I don't want to leave."

"But what do you want from me Carol?"

She decided to risk it and answered honestly. "I want you to hold me. I want to be beside you here. I want to give us a real chance. I want to be able to live as Carol Mason. I want a life here with you. I want the chance to have a future here with you. I want you to kiss me."

He took in a deep shuddering breath and met her halfway. He grabbed her and held her close, burying her face into his chest. They stayed that way for a few seconds before he reached down and gently nudged her chin up, so she was looking at him. He held her eyes for a few heartbeats before he slowly dipped down and caught her lips with his. He kissed her sweetly, then looked up at her eyes to gauge her response. His heart was thudding hard. When she finally responded, it was only one word, but that word told him everything he needed to know.

"Wow."

Then they lost themselves in each other. They stayed that way until Glenn came back with Tara in tow. They promised a future to each other, all with no words hitting the air. They sealed the promise with kisses. Their hearts sang as their lips flew. They were finally taking the chance to begin a future together.