Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Daryl returned as Carol was sipping on a cool mocha latte, Aaron was leaned against the counter, working on a double chocolate muffin, and Spike went to his new favorite's side instantly. Daryl chuckled to himself and went over to the sink to wash up before digging in himself.

"So, you speak and sign?" Aaron spoke with a full mouth and realized his mistake, so he asked once more after he'd swallowed, and Carol nodded. "I don't know ASL, but that's pretty cool that Daryl learned it for you."

"How did you know he learned it for me?" Carol wrapped her fingers around the paper to-go cup.

"Because he sure as heck didn't learn it before he met you." He smirked. "Guess you really did a number on him."

Daryl's ears went blood red as they spoke about him as if he weren't there, chomping down on a muffin and pretending he wasn't there, because it made it easier to bear.

"I wouldn't know about that. We just started... a relationship."

"Oh, just?" His brows rose. "Wait, so he learned... before you two got involved? When you were just friends?"

She nodded and sipped her drink.

"Huh." He ran his tongue along his teeth. "Well, it's been a long trip, and I didn't mean to spook any of you. Sorry again. I should shower and change. I smell like a car."

"Why did you just enter through the back?" Carol inquired. "Of all ways to go about meeting an old friend, why take that one?"

"Because we are old friends. I didn't want to wake him, and he isn't usually a morning person, so I figured I'd save him the hassle. I drove up the backway, so I didn't know he had company. I apologize." He balled up the wrapper to the muffin and tossed it into the trash. "If you'll excuse me."

Carol observed the man as he collected a duffel bag and disappeared behind the bathroom door. She was surprised he knew the house so well, and when she asked Daryl how he knew it, Daryl informed her used to send updates to Aaron for his opinion, but then he found her, and the rest was history.

She rose with her half-full cup and kissed his brow. "I should go home and change myself."

"Wait." Daryl caught her wrist. "Don't go."

"I cannot wear another of your former girlfriend's outfits, and I will be back. Don't worry." A reassuring smile painted itself over her lips, and he rose up to kiss those lips, but Aaron interrupted when he asked for soap.

"Sorry."

"It's on the shelf behind the drill," Daryl instructed through gritted teeth, and Carol laughed softly.

"Thanks."

Carol set a hand on his chest. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Bring a bag next time," he suggested. "We like havin' you around."

"We?"

"You know he likes you more than me now, right?" His eyes moved down to the puppy at her ankles, and she scratched Spike's chin. "Just...plan ahead."

"Okay. Maybe I will."

Carol left then without a kiss goodbye, Daryl longed for another kiss, and Aaron washed himself in the bathroom while humming to avoid hearing any lip smacking, though he had thoroughly killed the chance.

Daryl finished up his portion of breakfast and headed back upstairs to finish dressing, and by the time he came back, Aaron was dressed and smirking at the bottom of the steps.

"How long have you been standin' like that? Waitin' for me to come down?"

"Only a few minutes." He chuckled. "So...you and Carol? More than what you hinted at with me."

"You didn't ask."

"You didn't let me." That smirk grew into a shit eating grin. "So, do tell. How long have you been together? And when did you fall for her enough to learn a whole new language? And since when do you wake up early? And with a woman in bed with you? Or so I assume." Normally the woman was popping pills on the couch, laughing at cartoons or a blank TV screen. It was horrifying, and Aaron made Daryl get tested for AIDS, after seeing his last hookup, but he was clean. He was clean and healthy, and apparently, they just shared an apartment more than anything. Thank God.

"Christ, Aaron, do you have any idea what time it is? I can't answer all these questions so early," Daryl mused, plopping down on the couch and being welcomed with a face in his lap. He scratched that big head of Spike's and smiled at him.

"Do I spot a smile? From Daryl The Asshole Dixon?" Aaron walked over and got in his face. "Yep, that's a smile."

Daryl flipped him off. "Fuck you, man."

"That's Carol's job."

Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Wait, wait, wait." Aaron sat beside his best friend. "You two haven't even had sex yet?"

"Where is the mute button?" Daryl directed the question at Spike. "Find it for me, bud."

"Daryl, this is serious for you." Aaron's shit-eating grin became soft and full of hope. "You really do like her, don't you?"

He chewed on his bottom lip and barely nodded his head. "Yeah."

"That's incredible, Daryl." He clapped his shoulder with his hand and rattled the man. "I'm happy for you. She seems...fierce and very beautiful, like a... rose or something. I dunno. I'm still tired."

Daryl chuckled. "Go take a nap. Got a couch up in my bedroom, smells like Spike though."

"I'll take it. It's gotta be better than sleeping in my car."

"Wanna help me with the house once you're up?" Daryl inquired. "Got a few items to wrap up."

"Yeah, sure. I got some time on my hands."

"Sounds like a plan then."

Aaron went upstairs for a nap, Daryl made another, more detailed list of what needed done with the house, and about an hour later Carol returned. She hadn't dollied herself up, but she looked gorgeous to him. In a red tunic with form-fitting jeans, sandals and smile that knocked him damn near to his knees. God, she really was his partner. Out of all the men in this little shithole town, she selected him, and it wasn't a joke.

"Hey." Daryl was in the sunroom, so he set the list down and slowly walked towards her.

"Hey." Carol smiled and slid her hands down her sides to grip the back of her hips. "How's the intruder?"

He dipped his head and chuckled. "He's good. Asleep upstairs and out of earshot."

"Oh, out of earshot?" Carol teased as they drew closer to each other. "What plans do you have that might be overheard?"

Daryl slipped his arms through the loops her arms made to encircle her waist and gripped her fingers loosely just above her ass. He searched those soulful glacial eyes and leaned down to kiss her, to savor the lips he'd longed to feel against his own, and she leaned up on the tips of her toes.

When their mouths met, it was for a brief instant. It wasn't that same tentative kiss from the general store, it was meant to be the beginning of several kisses, but Spike did not like it at all. He butted his head between them and circled Daryl like he was his girlfriend.

Carol giggled. Seems like someone is jealous.

"Yeah, and he's gettin' on my nerves." He sighed and rested his brow against her own, and Carol kissed the tip of his nose, assuring him, "We have plenty of time."

"All right, kids, break it up." Aaron trotted down the stairs like a damn elephant. "Let's work on the house, not on...your earthly temples."

Where did you meet this guy? Carol signed.

"Through barely similar circles."

"Hey, don't do that. You know I can't read it." Aaron put his hands on his hips. "And if you want to be mushy, just make eyes like the rest of us."

"Let's get to work." Carol stepped back. "I will supervise, since I am in no wear to assist."

"Good idea." Aaron spotted a notepad beside Daryl. "Is that it?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, all that needs doin'."

"Then let's get to work."

They worked for about four hours, Carol arranged the furnishing to make it accentuate the room, and by the time they returned from nearly finishing one of the rooms, they were soaked in sweat and sawdust. Carol told them to get cleaned up, or she'd hose them off, and Daryl was nearly tempted to go through with it, but Aaron smacked him on the back of his head lightly.

Carol said they should go out to eat, to get some fresh scenery and to catch up with each other. There was a bar and grill just outside town, and Carol was dressed up for it. The boys readied themselves, and they headed out after making sure Spike was fed and able to enter and exit as he pleased through the back door.

The bar and grill was a nice little place with very guests inside, and Aaron ordered for drinks for them. Fruity and barely boozy, but it was an ice breaker for sure. Carol sipped her pina colada while the boys talked about Aaron and what he'd been up to. Carol was surprised to learn Aaron was in the Peace Corps, and he was thoroughly decorated. She never would have guessed, by how innocent he looked, by how he held himself, and she was impressed. Specially to learn that Daryl knew somebody like this. She had a feeling there was a story behind it, and it wasn't a good story, but she'd get to that when he was ready.

Aaron was in a long relationship that recently ended, Eric wanted more than Aaron was ready for, and Aaron was still conflicted with his ex. He wasn't ready to make a commitment, not when Paul was still on his mind, and Daryl could understand that to a point. Carol understood it completely and consoled him, and Daryl was even more thrilled to have her there with them. She was compassionate and soft, and Aaron needed that right now. Daryl was all rough edges and hick. He couldn't provide that. He never could.

He chewed on his bottom lip as Carol rubbed Aaron's forearm, Aaron covering his face to try and conceal the tears building there, and he wondered if this was really the right thing to be doing. To love her. She was compassionate and soft. He was all rough edges and hick. He'd never held down a relationship, never fell in love, never "made love". He had fucked and been fucked—by women, by life—and he wasn't the type to "settle down" and "build a future".

He gulped and forced a laugh at the appropriate time, Carol eyed him, but he wondered how she could tell the difference as she wasn't hearing. Perhaps it a vibe he was emitting, perhaps it was a look in Aaron's eye that caught her attention, and he gulped once more.

Carol set a hand on his knee as the waiter brought over their meal, Aaron excused himself to the bathroom to splash some water on his face, and Carol signed if he was all right. Daryl wasn't sure how to answer that question, so he simply shrugged.

I am here if you want to talk, Daryl.

He didn't like talking about himself, certainly not to the woman he was trying to be involved with. It wasn't how a relationship worked. He knew that. He should be open and share, but that wasn't how he was raised. That wasn't who he was. He was trying. Breaking down walls with a broken hammer, and it only got him so far. God, how did he do this?

The meal was top notch, Daryl didn't taste a single bite of it, but Carol and Aaron enjoyed themselves. He was glad. He brought his leftovers home for Spike, Aaron said he wanted to go for a walk, and Carol and Spike curled up on the couch with Spike's tail wagging a mile a minute as she slowly fed him the leftovers. Daryl leaned against the railing, and Carol eyed him through curls that fell in her face.

"What's going on with you?"

Daryl sighed softly. "I'm no good," he whispered, a burning in his eyes at his vulnerability made him shudder. "Just no fuckin' good."

"What?" Carol set the container on the end stand and told Spike to go outside. "I didn't make that out."

"I'm no good for you," Daryl said, not louder, simply moving his mouth more, and Carol's lips parted in a denial he wouldn't let her finish. "I'm just not."

"Where is this coming from?" Carol's lips drew a line.

"I... Tonight at dinner... made me realize I ain't any good." He tried to swallow, but the lump in his throat was too big, so he choked instead. "Just ain't."

Look at me. She refused to trust her voice right now, and she wanted him to look at her while she spoke, not lower his head and try to hide. Daryl, look at me, please.

He averted his eyes for just a moment, knowing if he didn't look, she would make him look, so he did. He met those eyes and saw his own face reflected back at him. He had no words, nothing to say beyond what had already been said, and he bowed his head once more.

"Don't do this," Carol spoke. "Don't say this."

"It's the truth. It's the only truth here."

No, it isn't. Now, look at me. Carol grasped his hands and squeezed them tight, nails digging in, and he peeked at her. "Don't say this."

"It's the fuckin' truth, though." He shook his head. "You want kids and this massive future I can't provide. I ain't even sure I want to provide that shit. I mean... Fuck, Carol, I just can't do this."

"You don't have to do this alone, Daryl. I am here." She released one hand to reach his cheek and stroke it. "Hey, it's all right to panic, but we don't just make decisions in the fall. Okay? We just don't."

"Carol, I—"

"We are going slow, and we don't even have to discuss kids and marriage yet. I'm not even sure I want those with you yet either. Okay?" She stroked her thumb against the bone of his cheek. "All I know is I care about you. Is that enough to... move forward with? Or are you going to end this here?"

"You deserve so much more than I can offer," he uttered.

"I deserve someone who cares for me, and you do. You've made it plain, and... I am grateful for that night at the general store. Don't throw that away. We've had ups and downs as friends, and we'll have them again as partners, because life isn't always smooth. All we can do is learn and grow, and if we don't make it, we don't make it. It'll be difficult to lose you, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try."

He searched her eyes for a moment. "You're serious?"

"Of course, I am. People like me have high expectations from a relationship, but unlike people like me, I know how damaging forcing one's expectations off on their partner can be. I don't know what I want from life right now, save for you and this. The rest will come or not come as it will." She exhaled softly. "All right?"

He gulped. "I just don't wanna hurt you again."

"You won't."

"How can you be sure? Couples fight. Couples nitpick. Dating starts a road to marriage and babies and I..." He trailed off. "Fuck, I don't know."

"Well, it sounds like you've made up your mind then." She released his face. "With all this doubt."

The loss of warmth on his cheek made him realize he didn't want this. He didn't want this to continue. He couldn't stomach it. "Carol..."

I should probably go then, she signed, not trusting her voice.

"No, you don't understand that." He gripped her forearms to keep her in place. "I just... Yeah, I don't know a lot right now, 'cause I ain't ever had somebody like you to know or to feel for, but that don't mean what you think it means."

"What am I thinking then?" she whispered, unsure.

"That I want out, but I don't. I really fuckin' don't, but I am terrified of what my...temper or... or lack of experience might to do you."

"You won't hurt me."

He dropped his gaze. The apple don't fall far the tree, his old man's voice rang out in his mind. He closed his eyes and pulled Carol into his arms, and the feel of her, the scent of her, soothed him. I'm lost, he traced onto her shoulder.

Carol buried her face in his shoulder and traced one word onto the blade of his back—Try. Try for them, try for himself, try to rid them both of loneliness, try to make peace with past mistakes, try to better himself for tomorrow. Try. She needed him to try now more than ever, because while she was invested in his wellbeing before, her affections were on the line, not simply her heart. She could not bear to be hurt again. She simply couldn't.

Daryl pulled back and let his forehead come to rest on hers, his eyes opening to see her watching him closely for his next move, and he leaned down slowly, tenderly, placing a hesitant kiss to her lips. Instantly, as if by some bewitchment, his reservations vanished. All he could feel was warmth and desire and peace.

Carol was taken over by the kiss, pushing up on the tips of her toes to bring him even closer, and her fingers dug into the small of his back. It wasn't meant to be so hungry a kiss, but that is what it became. They had both been lonely for far too long, but it was more than simply seeking companionship. It was far deeper.

When it felt like a blissful eternity of mouths melding over and over again came to a halt at Daryl wanting to take her right there against the wall, they broke apart. Daryl didn't want to be the type to fuck her against a wall. She deserved better than that, and maybe...he could provide that? Maybe with time and patience, he could come to a more confident conclusion.

Carol went to cool off and find Spike, who had vanished sometime during their conversation, and Daryl made some glasses of lemonade for when Aaron returned from his walk. He sipped from his glass and heard Aaron enter the house. He set the cup down and called him into the kitchen.

"Hey, thanks." Aaron accepted a glass of ice-cold refreshment and nearly chugged it down, but he would keep his manners. "Is Carol around?"

"Nah. She went to find Spike. He's probably bein' an ass, roamin' near the lake."

He nodded. "Why?"

"'Cause I go out there when I'm stressed, and guess he takes after me." He shrugged a shoulder. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I asked." He set the half empty glass down and just cut to the chase of his asking, "So, you and Carol."

"Here we go." Daryl crossed his arms and faced his friend. "What about us?"

"Where is this going?"

Daryl glanced at the open back door in case Carol walked back in, not that she would be able to hear them, but still, it felt rude to talk about her if she was right there. "Um..." He rubbed a hand down his cheek. "I don't know yet."

"Does she?"

"We just started datin', Aaron, like seriously today. What do you want from me?"

"To know you aren't going to bring pain to that woman, because she's absolutely the sweetest person I have ever met."

Daryl sighed. "Look, I won't hurt her."

"Yeah, okay, maybe not intentionally, and I say this because I love you, but inadvertently, it happens. A lot. And you don't handle that well."

"We'll be fine. She's...different than the others. She ain't gonna come at me with a plugged-in hot iron," he assured him. "We'll work through it, and I'll make it right."

Aaron was beyond impressed by the words that just came out of his best friend's mouth. "And... what about the house?"

"Look, can we do this later? When she ain't here?" He pushed off the counter. "Let's go out for drinks, just us, tomorrow, and we'll do this then. For now, let's just...not."

He nodded. "All right."

"Thanks, man."

Carol returned with Spike about ten minutes later when the sky opened up, a hot summer rain, and Daryl went to her to try and get the willey puppy inside. Carol instead invited them out into the pouring rain, and Daryl stuck a hand out to feel the temperature of the warm summer rain, and he stepped out.

Thunder roared, lightening striking about a minute later, and Spike darted inside to Aaron's side. Carol laughed at the feel of the warm rain, and Daryl looked up to the sky to witness another strike of lightening following a rumble of thunder. It was nice.

Made nicer when Carol wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. He slipped his arms around her waist and kept her close as the warm rain pounded down on them, and he made a decision there in the rain. It was one he'd always known he'd make, but nature was hard to beat out, now, wasn't it?