Maggie's words had put a bug in her head. She thought constantly about how or if she could ask the Dixon's for help. Would they be willing? Would they understand? Would they care? Would they be able to leave like that to help? This place needed them too. She knew by now there was another group out at the moment scouting and gathering but that they hadn't come back in yet. They'd been out for a month she heard from someone in passing.

All this stewed within her for days. Days and days she constantly battled on what to say or do. Even so she knew that there were other people here that done the things the Dixon's done. BUt Daryl and Merle were actively hunting fresh meat as well. Logan did too but in a smaller capacity.

"What has you thinking so hard?" Cathy smiled.

Carol chewed on her cheek to keep from spitting at the busy body. She'd managed to make every woman here nearly hate her in a matter of hours. SHe knew it was this woman because she'd even heard her talking about her.

"Nothing." Carol smiled back.

Cathy's eye twitched and Carol was resolved she was going to speak to Daryl today just to see that twitch again. Standing up and dusting her pants off she waved by to Cathy without so much as a word or to see if she was needed somewhere. Daryl was alwaysdoing something and she would try to help him.

She found him easy enough at his own house. He was standing with a little girl and Logan. The little girl was just barely up to his waist but had a bow in hand. Daryl was bent at the knees and fixing her posture while she knocked an arrow. He was teaching her. Was this his little girl?

It only took her a second to realize her mistake in thinking when she remembered Maggie telling her about Rick and his wife's little girl. Apparently his wife died giving birth but they all managed to keep the baby safe so she could grow up. That was the driving force behind settling. THe little girl had taken to Daryl like a second dad.

"Carol." Daryl's voice was low and quiet. He nodded at her and she smiled.

"What's got you over here?" Logan questioned. He still hadn't gone back to his loud brash self with her yet.

"I'm avoiding the women."

Logan snorted and Daryl grimaced. His joke earlier in the week had left people questioning if more had happened in their overnight stay than really did. Carol found it funny and she knew Daryl's family and friends did too; if the teasing he constantly got was anything to go by.

"Good place for it." Logan nodded sagely. "Merle's around."

Carol laughed and settled on the steps next to Logan as the little girl took a shot. She wasn't bad for her size but she imagined Daryl and her practiced more than most. It was a smart skill to have and she wished she had something like that.

"So..." Logan whispered. "Did you and Cathy have a nice talk?"

Carol raised a brow and Daryl huffed. Merle chose that moment to step outside and loudly proclaimed he was happy to see her. Daryl shot is brother a look before going back to the lesson's.

"He wonders why he's catnip to these scuzzy sluts and here it is."

"MERLE!" Daryl barked. The little girl giggled and he sighed.

Merle grinned at his brother and waggled his eyebrows. "Sorry catnip."

Merle flopped down gracefully in front of Carol and turned towards her.

"So we heard you were going to get questioned by the queen of the cat squad." Merle grinned, "About ol Catnip here."

"Please stop calling me that." Daryl nearly whined. He stood and took the bow. He was saying good bye to Rick's little girl.

She skipped off and Daryl watched until she reached where Rick himself was walking towards them. Maggie was watching her and gave her a thumbs up from where she stood next to Glenn and Rick talking.

"She didn't say anything to me." Carol shrugged.

"Probably scared we'd say something back." Logan nodded.

Carol stared at them for a minute and Daryl leaned against the porch railing behind her. She didn't like not being able to see him. It made it harder to read his face.

"Ya know...since you and dad are an item." Logan made fish lips and proceeded to kiss at his own hand. "Taking overnight get aways and all."

"Shut the fuck up." Daryl sighed. "You know damn well we didn't."

"I know." Logan cackled. "But I also know that Cathy was bitching saying she'd be damned if 'this harlot got a Dixon before she did'"

Daryl bristled at this and so did Merle. Carol loved the information that even Merle was bothered. That just meant she could tease him too. Not that she thought it'd bother him. If anything he probably enjoyed the attention.

"So they intend to threaten you away from Daryl?"Merle asked but Carol knew he wasn't really talking to them. He had a mean look in his eyes. "Carol welcome to the family."

Daryl walked around them to stare at his brother. Something passed between them before Daryl looked away. Merle smiled and it wasn't mean for once. Logan watched passively. Carol was confused but she knew that Merle held a sway with his brother that not many could ever hope to match. If Merle wanted to consider her family then his brother and nephew would too.

"Can I call you mom?" Logan questioned suddenly.

Merle guffawed and Daryl went red.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just saying it'd really grate Cathy's nerves."

"Leave her alone, Logan." Daryl warned. "Cathy already grates my nerves. I don't need another reason for her to come over here trying to talk."

"What better way to keep her away than a girlfriend." Merle added solemnly.

"What?" Carol interrupted.

"What!" Daryl snapped.

Both looked at each other and stared. Both red in the face and Daryl slightly panting. Carol stared at him for longer than was necessary and she knew both older Dixon's caught it. Her face went redder and she glared at Merle.

"Don't act like you aren't interested." Merle wagered. "YOu've been eyeing my baby brother since you got here."

"Before that." Logan added. "She couldn't take her eyes off him when we saved her that day."

"Traitor!" Carol hissed.

Logan grinned wildly at her and she hissed through her teeth. It was only seeing some of the women headed their way that made her face lose it's anger. Instead she plastered on a pleasant look and turned to Merle.

"I'll murder you later."

"You make it sound fun though." Merle flipped his tongue and laughed.

"Stop flirting with dad's woman." Logan snapped. He wasn't even aware there were people coming but they sure heard him.

Daryl rubbed his face and looked to the sky. SHe felt bad for him. They were making decisions for her without even really asking him. Merle just told him he had a girlfriend and Daryl seemed resolved to accept it.

"All of you are childish." Daryl sighed.

"I am not." Carol laughed.

"Yes, you really are. You're as bad as they are." Daryl shot back. "You encourage their shit."

"I do not. Merle needs no encouragement."

"She's right." Merle grinned.

"Carol!" Cathy sauntered up. Daryl side stepped her reaching hand and Carol almost laughed."We were just going to have tea did you want to join?"

Carol would rather die then drink tea with these snakes. Daryl seemed to read her face and show pity. He swiveled his head and looked the women over before moving closer to Carol herself.

"She's busy." Daryl suddenly caught elbow and heaved her to her feet. It didn't look at brutish as Carol would have called him but the other two Dixon's stood fluidly as well. "We were just going inside."

Cathy's face turned purple. Carol had never seen that color quite on someone before but it didn't suit her regardless. Merle was grinning wildly behind them as Daryl walked up the steps into the house. Carol guessed she was following him then.