A/N: Chapter Nine is no longer an Author's Note, and if you haven't read it, I suggest you do, or you'll be lost on what's happening here. That said, enjoy this chapter, or chapters in some cases.


Disclaimer: I own nothing.

– – –

Carol rolled over, the light from the morning sun streaming in through her open curtains, and she exhaled, not certain if she'd blacked out for small portions of the night or if she actually slept. If she had slept, it was for shit. She was still exhausted. She could feel it behind her eyes and in her muscles. And she was starving. She hadn't eaten last night. She crawled into bed and evidently blacked out here and there with no recollection of the moments she was awake.

"Hey."

"Jesus!" She shot up, unaware of the person in her room, and she whipped out the gun she had hidden underneath her pillow, but it was only Tobin. "What the hell are you doing?"

He held his hands up in a signal of peace. "Sorry!"

She lowered the gun. "Why are you in my room?"

"I—I came to wake you up, but you were sleeping..." He dropped his hands. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Then wait on the other side of the door and knock." She huffed. "Why did you want to wake me up?"

"Maggie made breakfast for you, and I came to tell you that." He paused and averted his eyes.

"What else do you have to tell me?" She swung out of bed and narrowed her eyes. "Tobin?"

"Maggie told me to tell you that uh, Daryl's still not back. I don't know what she meant by that though."

"He knows about the baby. He found the test, blew up at me and Maggie and Rick. He actually even punched Rick. He took off on his bike." She sighed. "He can take care of himself. I'm sure once he's worked through his issues, he'll come back."

He was curious why Maggie had him deliver that message, and now he knew why. "Are you okay?"

"Why don't you tell Maggie I'll be down in a bit? I...need to take a shower."

"Yeah, sure."

"And Tobin," she called to him as he began to slip out the door, "knock and wake me up next time."

He nodded.

She closed the bathroom door and sucked in a long breath. She knew Daryl would be pissed, but to leave town and not come back? He wasn't the type to run away from whatever has pissed him off. He was the type to stick around and deal with it. That's who Daryl was.

Had her secret hurt him so badly that he ran? It was a world shaker, but Daryl wouldn't just run until he could deal with this and come back. He bottled things up, but that was it. She knew he was beyond pissed, but he wouldn't flee Alexandria simply because of this. Because of her. There was nothing simple about it, but there was no way in hell he'd skip town. They were his family, even if she wasn't there, and he wouldn't desert them. He cared for all of them, so where the hell was he going and why?

She was terrified for a moment that she'd broken it all—their bond and their relationship. She knew she'd set fire to their trust, but she hoped it could be rebuilt. But if this had destroyed everything they had spend so many months—years—building...

She gagged and gripped the counter, but nothing came up. She couldn't do this to herself right now. Not right now. He'd be back. He wouldn't just leave. He wasn't that man, and when he was back, if he wanted, if he let her, she'd talk to him. If not, if he didn't want anything to do with her, she'd deal. She had no choice, and she would respect his decision. It might be easier if he didn't want to see her.

––

"You did tell her breakfast was ready, right?" Carl ate the last of his eggs.

Tobin nodded. "Yeah. She had to shower."

"See, if we sent Daryl up there, he'd probably carry her downstairs." Carl stood up and took his plate to the kitchen.

Maggie swallowed a bite of cold egg, her stomach still soft, but she had to eat. Michonne was getting on her now, so she had to come over for breakfast and dinner. She minded today, after what happened yesterday and the day before. She wanted to put distance between her and Carol for now. For the sake of their friendship and the sake of Maggie's recovery.

"If Daryl's such a good guy, if he cares about her so much, why did he leave?" Tobin groused.

"You don't know us," Maggie snapped at his tone, remembering how awful it had been cutting into Lori and carrying Judy out, how Rick reacted, how the family reacted, and she couldn't eat anymore. Daryl and Lori weren't best friends, but she was family. Carol was his best friend and family, and how dare he? He didn't know the story. He didn't know their scars. "Don't act like you do."

"Maggie." That was Michonne. "C'mere."

She looked up at Michonne, who was hiding something in her arms, and she stood up, leaving her nearly full plate behind, not even apologizing to Tobin. He'd have to excuse her, and if not, oh well. Who the hell was he to get grouchy over this? Well, the father, but Daryl and Carol were Daryl and Carol, and there was no Tobin involved in that. It's like if Rick started budding in on her and Glenn. Besides it wasn't like he needed to feel threatened by Daryl. Well, he should if Daryl got as pissed at him as he did with Carol. Carol had history and pregnancy protecting her from getting hit—not that Daryl would ever, ever, ever lay his hands on her—but Tobin? It'd be lights out. He sucker punched Rick, for pity's sake. Tobin would be lucky to leave with his teeth in his hand.

"What is it?"

"A gift." Michonne turned, revealing Judith, who held a bunch of wild flowers. "We meant to get them to you sooner, but things are dramatic around here lately. Carl put some in your room a bit ago, and Judith wanted to give you these."

Maggie smiled and blinked back tears. "Well, thank you, Judith." She accepted the yellow and purple flowers from the little angel and smelled them. "Mmm. Where's Carl? I should thank him too before I go."

"He's on the wall today, but he has to do dishes."

"Okay."

Michonne snuggled Judith closer as Maggie headed for the kitchen, smoothing down her light hairs. "Let's hope this is the first step to recovery."

"Whose?" Carol came off the step.

"You're up."

"Late night. I tossed and turned." She shrugged a shoulder. "So, how cold is my breakfast?"

"Ice cold."

"Great." She paused. "Is Daryl really not back yet?"

"No. Rick and I decided to let him cool off. He'll be back when he's ready." She searched Carol's eyes. "I'm sure it's the shock of the news."

"Or the fact that I didn't tell him."

"You wanted to wait, and you have your reasons. It's no one's place to make you rush to tell someone news. Don't feel bad, or blame yourself. It would have been better if he heard it from you, but it's over. He knows, and now it's his to deal with. You need to focus on the baby. Don't stress about Daryl."

Tobin glanced at Carol when she shuffled by toward the kitchen, and he almost called out to her, but he decided against it. Maggie was right. He didn't know the first thing about Daryl, or his relationship with Carol. They would settle this, or they wouldn't. He hoped they did, because it was obviously putting strain on Carol, which wasn't good for her or the baby. Maybe if he talked to Daryl...he could get a nice shiner to match Rick's.

He stood up to leave. Maybe it'd be best if he wasn't here when Daryl got back.

––

Michonne spoke with Olivia that morning, pushing Judith around in her stroller since there was no one else to watch her, but Olivia didn't have what she needed, so she went to Eric and Aaron's. She didn't know if he could help her or not, but she had a feeling if anyone in this town had any yarn, it'd be Eric. He seemed the type who wanted to knit but had no talent or clue how.

Michonne had seen Carol sewing up clothes at the prison when Beth was taking care of Judith, and she figured she knew how to knit or at least crochet. It was supposed to be soothing, or so her grandmother always told her. Carol was under a lot of pressure, and she wasn't going to talk about it, not to her anyway, so she was going to present this to her. If she could find yarn and the needles, that was.

And if it took her too long, she could give it to Carol to pass the dull hours when she became too pregnant to move. Or if the worse should happen. It could be used to help her mourn, or to distract her. Who knows. Carol might just throw it at her, but she was trying. If trying meant anything to Carol.

"How's my girl?" Rick bent down to peer at Judith, having finished his shift. "You two havin' fun?"

"Not really."

"What's up?"

"Do you know where I can find yarn?"

"Yarn?" He was amused. "What for?"

"A gift. I still have to check with Eric, so feel free to say no." She smirked.

"Well, I don't have any yarn, but...the Andersons had a lot of crafting materials. Probably have some yarn in that garage."

She nodded. "Speaking of materials, are you still planning to make the run for the factory?"

"We have to."

"With Daryl MIA, are you sure now's a good time? He was going with you."

"It ain't for another day," he prompted. "Daryl might be back by tonight, and if he's still pissed, I think gettin' outta here for a while will be good for him."

"And if he takes another swing at you?"

"I won't let him get one in this time." He smiled at her, preparing for her quip.

"I'll bet." She crossed her arms over the handle to the stroller. "You just let him clip you right in the jaw like the good friend you are, knocking you on your ass in front of everybody."

"What can I say? I'm a good friend."

She snickered. "I have to find yarn, but you keep tellin' yourself that."

"Have fun. I'm gonna find Carl, let him know about the run, see if he wants in."

She nodded and gripped the handle. "On your way, check in on Carol."

"I don't think that's a good idea. She needs some...distance from us after all that happened yesterday."

"Which is why I want you to make sure Tobin's not there."

"All right. I'll drop by." He leaned over and kissed her lightly. "One day when we aren't caught up with other people's problems, maybe we can...go somewhere, just us."

"We'll both have to be dead," she teased. "We have too many damn problems, not including other peoples'."

"Just give it a try."

"You find me yarn, and I will."

"As you wish." He kissed her once more, said bye to Judith and peeled out to catch Carl before his shift was over. He had no clue where that kid went when he wasn't on the wall or with Judith. He'd have to ask Enid, if she wasn't too busy with Denise and whatever it was they were doing.

– – –

"So, what made you decide to learn this?" Denise continued with her medicine count, making a list of things they'd need later. She didn't want to send Daryl and Glenn out there for this stuff until she needed the equipment. They'd have to break into a hospital, and it'd be incredibly high-risk, but it'd be worth it. They'd have more people, her if they'd let her go, and they'd get it done. This wouldn't be for a while though. She just wanted to keep busy while Enid studied. "I know you already told me, but I mean more of why now? You've been working on those books for weeks now, before Maggie lost the baby."

She looked up and rested her hands on the chapter she'd stopped on. "I don't know. I guess...after what happened with Pete, what nearly happened to you on the run with that walker, I just realized how little doctors there are in this world. I don't want anything to happen to you, but if you were to die or be killed, I don't want us to be helpless. I want to be able to do something, and now sit around and wait for something to fall in my lap. We need to be prepared for whatever happens."

Denise smiled. "You have the passion."

Enid returned her smile a little. "You didn't hear the end."

"Oh, and what's the end?"

"I have nothing else to do." She hopped off the gurney and smiled widely at Denise, hugging the book to her chest. "I'm gonna go grab a snack, but I'll be right back."

"Take your time." She moved to the next shelf and tapped her pencil on the clipboard, writing down another name she imagined Daryl couldn't pronounce. Glenn either, actually. Hell, some of these she struggled with, and she was trained to say their pretentious ass names.

"Did you hear about the fight?" Enid adjusted her sock in her boot, biting into the apple she'd found in the kitchen.

"No. No, I'm afraid I don't get out of here very much." She glanced up. "What fight?"

"The one with Daryl, Carol, Maggie and Rick." She walked over to her and ran her eyes over the list, cocking her head to the side at the thought of trying to verbalize the words written on the page.

"What happened?" She frowned.

"He found out about the baby." She returned to the gurney. "How do you not know this? Everyone knows this, even the people who've never even met Daryl. He's shaken a lot of people up because of the screaming match he had at Carol."

"He was yelling?" Her brows shot up. "And at Carol?"

She nodded. "He was pissed. Beyond pissed, actually. He was on a whole another level of furious."

"Why? Was it about the baby?"

"Yeah, he'd just found out." She crossed her legs and placed the book in her lap. "And he wondered why Carol didn't tell him? I mean, I'd have to slap Carl if he ever got in my face like that."

"Enid."

"What?" She didn't like the mom tone Denise had used on her. "All right. I'm sorry, but he was unreasonable. She's pregnant, for pity's sake. He yelled in the face of a pregnant woman. And she can't weight more than a hundred bucks wet. He doesn't come off as the victim here, you gotta admit that much."

"All right, kid. I want those notes written by the end of the day, and we'll review them tomorrow."

"I just don't think you should treat people like that," Enid softly remarked. "You should be good to the people you love, not scream at them." She didn't love anybody, or have anybody to love, but Maggie was close to her heart. Carl too. She'd lost her parents in one terrible minute, and she didn't want to go through that again. If she could go back and tell them to get their asses inside the car, she would have. If she could go back and only tell them she loved them, she would. You have to be good to the people you love, because tomorrow they might not be there, her dad always said.

"Okay, from our outside view, Daryl yelled at her," Denise leaned against the counter, holding the clipboard loosely, "but try looking at it from his point of view."

Enid bit a massive chunk out of her apple. "Mmm?"

"We don't know his side, do we? We can't judge him for yelling at Carol about the baby, because we don't know what was going through his head, or what happened prior to the fight. We also don't know Carol's side. We only know ours, as viewers."

"You're such a therapist," Enid teased, tucking hair behind her ear.

"I'm better at it than being a doctor, I'll admit, but it's true. You need all of the story before you can judge, and by that point, it just isn't worth judging." She pushed off the counter. "By the way, have you seen Maggie today? Or Glenn?"

"Glenn's at home. I think he's resting." She lowered the apple from her mouth. "And Maggie was at Rick and Michonne and Carol's house last time I saw her. Michonne's making her eat there, so they know she's eaten."

"Okay."

"Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious." She scribbled reminder on the paper. "One of these days, we'll go out and try to find a walker."

"To dissect?"

She nodded. "It'll have to be a...fresher one, so I can show you some things, but it'll help in the long run."

"Great, book work and a field trip. Who said school in the apocalypse couldn't be fun?" She smirked around her next bite of apple.

"At least you're not in a small garage with Carl and the other teenagers."

"There is that." Enid peeked at the blonde doctor. "Hey, Denise?"

"Yes?" She paused in her work.

"You're good teacher." She smiled a little. "And I am looking forward to learning more."

"What else have I got to do?" Enid laughed and shook her head, and Denise inhaled. "Get to work, kid. It's a big ass book."

"You don't have it on your lap. I think it's cutting off the flow of blood to my legs."

"Trust me, you don't want to use the desk." She smiled to herself at the memory and shook her head, writing down the next name.

– – –

"Carol." Michonne leaned in her doorway. "Did you hear me? I called you for dinner."

"Yeah." She was sitting on the foot of her bed. "I'm not hungry."

"You being hungry doesn't matter. The little fetus is."

"No, the fetus is trying to make me puke up my stomach." She hadn't looked at Michonne. "I don't think I can keep anything down right now."

"Is it because of what happened yesterday with Daryl?" She strolled over to Carol when she didn't reply. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, I really don't, Michonne. I'd rather just go to bed."

"Not on your life." She crossed her arms. "You need food. You barely touched your breakfast, or your lunch, so you're not skipping dinner."

"Michonne, I'm a grown woman. I don't need you making decisions for me."

"And as a grown woman, you know how this works. You knew you'd puke up your breakfast yesterday, but you still ate it. So, if it's about Daryl, let it go. He'll be back. He wouldn't run off and get himself killed just because you're pregnant and didn't tell him. He'll work it out his way." She kept the sharp edge out of her voice. "I can't make you eat, but consider this: Maggie's downstairs. She'll know you didn't come down for dinner. She was here for lunch too, so she knows you and the baby haven't eaten much at all today. You know where her thoughts will go. You haven't exactly expressed joy or elation at the news of being pregnant."

"Michonne—"

"I don't know what's going on with you, or what happened to you, but I do know you can't let this small life suffer, because you're miserable. You've always put the needs of our family above your own needs. Well, guess what? This baby is your family. It's your blood. So come downstairs and eat."

"I'm too tired to have this fight right now." She stood up and walked out of the room.

Michonne narrowed her eyes and followed her down to the dining room, Maggie and Carl were taking about something they'd seen while on the wall, Rick was trying to feed Judith crushed carrots, and Rosita was staring off into space, scooting boiled carrots around on her plate. Carol found a seat beside the zoned out Espinosa, and Michonne took her seat.

Maggie noted how Carol wasn't eating much. "Not a fan of boiled carrots?"

"Spencer made beef jerky stroganoff." Rosita pointed to the dish beside her. "I'm not a fan of stroganoff. You have it."

"I could have beef jerky stroganoff and nobody told me?" Carl reached over and lifted the lid off the white dish.

Carol and Maggie both cringed at the scent, though Carol cringed to the point of hurrying from the room to puke, and Maggie crinkled her nose. Rosita pushed it toward the kid, Carl and Rick were eager to try it, and Michonne laughed at how they were fighting each others fork for the bigger pieces of jerky. Maggie looked at the doorway Carol had bolted out of and excused herself.

She was about to go to the bathroom down the hall and check on Carol, but a certain sound rumbling outside caught her attention. She called to Rick and Michonne when she heard boots on the porch, and they hurried out as the front door opened. Maggie was right. It was Daryl.

He looked like a mess. His hair was unruly, his jacket coated with walker blood, and his knuckles were bloody. He was a little sun burnt, his lips cracked, and he was holding something in his hand. He had been gone for nearly an entire day, and he returned to Alexandria looking like he'd been walking through the desert for twenty years. Where the hell had he gone?

"Are you okay?" Michonne was the first to speak.

"I need to talk to Carol," he croaked. "Where is she?"

"I don't think that's a good idea," Rick stated. "Why don't you come and join us? We're havin' dinner, and you look like you need somethin' to drink."

He shook his head. "I needa see her."

"Why?" Maggie crossed her arms. "So you can yell at her again? Put even more stress on her?"

He dropped his gaze then sighed and scratched the back of his head. "It's important, just lemme see her, all right?"

"She's in the bathroom," Michonne pointed to the one down the hall. "Dinner didn't sit well with her."

"Thanks."

Michonne stopped him. "I hear you raise your voice even once, Dixon, and you're out the door, ass first, you understand?"

"Yeah, but I ain't gonna raise my voice."

"It's just a warning."

Daryl didn't doubt she would kick his ass, but he needed to see Carol. If this turned into a screaming match—he really hoped not—then it did. He had no control over how Carol would take his return. He didn't want to get off on the wrong foot again, because he wanted to prove that he could stand by her through his. He wasn't the best with words, but he knew how to make thoughtful gestures, and he hoped this would do, because he didn't want to her to be mad at him. He didn't want to be mad at her. He wanted to reconcile and help her anyway she would let him. Though with the Mom Squad on it, she had more help than she needed or wanted.

He ambled toward the bathroom, hearing the toilet flush, and he swallowed. He gripped the item in his hand tighter and waited, hearing the sink being turned on, and he wondered what she was going to say to him. What she was going to think of him. He knew things between them had change, and they both noticed it now. He wasn't sure how he felt about her, but he was at the same time. He knew without a second thought, and all the changes, this lie, didn't affect their history. He wouldn't let it entirely change their future. He'd lost too much to lose her while she was still right in front of him.

The door opened, Carol stepped out and halted at the sight of Daryl, taking him in and frowning.

"Are you all right?" She reached out to touch him, but her hand faltered and dropped.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Silence. Awkward, uneasy silence spread around the two, Daryl shuffled his weight from foot to foot, and Carol hugged her cardigan tighter around her. Neither one knew how to begin having this talk. Carol didn't know what to say, how to apologize, how to make it right, and she wasn't sure she could. She wasn't sure they could, and it made her nearly want to retreat into the bathroom.

"I was an ass," Daryl asserted, meeting her gaze. "I shouldn't have yelled."

"You had every right to yell, Daryl." She dropped her gaze. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I know what you must be thinking, and it wasn't that I didn't think you wouldn't care or wouldn't know to know. It wasn't that, I assure you. It's complicated, and I wish I had the words to tell you why, but... I don't."

"How come you could tell Rick so easily?"

She lifted her eyes. "Honestly, I only told Rick because...he was convenient. He was right there, after you all left." She knew she didn't have to explain much to Rick. He wouldn't ask how she felt about the whole possible pregnancy, and he wouldn't poke and prod her like Daryl would. Daryl would do it, because he knew her, and because he cared. Rick cared, but Rick was easy to please. That's why she told him. That, and he still felt guilty about casting her out. She knew he'd keep her secret.

"Did you even plan on tellin' me?"

"Of course I did. I just... I didn't know how. It's not like saying I'm going on a run or have a sprained ankle. It's a baby. I don't know how I feel about any of this, and I knew you'd want to know, but I can't answer that question." Some of her fears were tied to the girls, and she was trying her best not to go there again.

"Why not?"

"It's complicated." She could feel the tears in her eyes, and he must have seen them, because he ducked his head. "And I can't right now."

"Will you ever be able to tell me?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."

"It's fine either way, you know. I...I get it, sorta." He held his hand out. "I—I got these for you."

She lowered her eyes to the item in his hand then reached out with both of her hands to accept it. It was a bottle of folic acid pills. It was dirty with dust and a bit of walker, but otherwise in good condition.

"Lori and Rick talked about it a lot when she was pregnant with Lil' Ass Kicker," he explained. "I—I don't know if it'll help or not, but I thought it'd...be a nice gesture."

"Where did you find these?"

"A pharmacy. It's a bit out of the way, but I figured that didn't matter. It was a pain in the ass tryin' get inside, but—"

"Daryl," she gently interrupted him. "You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to, for you and...the kid."

"This is why you were gone for so long?" She held up the bottle. "This?"

He nodded. "You might already have it in the prenatal vitamins, if Harlan gave you any, and you don't have to use 'em. I'm sure Denise can find another use for 'em, if you don't need 'em." He lowered his eyes. "It ain't a big deal, just wanted to apologize, show...some support."

"Stop talking, Daryl."

He nodded, his eyes on the floor, and he nearly flinched when she hugged him suddenly. He hadn't even seen her move, but she was in his arms. He'd hugged her twice before, but this was the first time she was initiating it. He didn't know what it mean beyond a thank you, but he hoped it meant they weren't back to square one. He wrapped his arms tighter around her shoulders. He really hoped it didn't meant that. He wanted to be there for her, for the kid, for whatever the hell would come next. He didn't know what to expect, but he never really did unless it was with walkers or assholes.

Carol dug her fingertips into the worn, dirty leather of his jacket, her face buried in his shoulder, and she closed her eyes. He smelled like sweat and grime and walkers and dust, and oddly it wasn't the worst scent of the evening. She was so glad he was home, and she was relieved he wasn't livid or physically injured too badly. She knew there were still feelings of confusion there, maybe even anger he didn't know was lingering under the surface; and she knew they might never go away, and they had a lot to talk about, but it could wait. It could wait, because she was just glad he came home.

"You need to get cleaned up." Carol released him. "Take a shower, and I'll wrap your hand."

He nodded.

"And thank you for the pills. Folic acid is good for the baby." She smiled and turned the bottle over in her hand.

"I got some more stuff while I was there, but it's mostly for the clinic."

"I'll take it to Denise."

"Nah, it's a heavy bag. I'll take it to her tomorrow. Don't worry about it."

"All right. I'll get the first aid kit. Shower." She paused before heading to the kitchen to get the kit. "Or I really will hose you down."

He smiled a little when she walked away, and he untied the bandanna from his hand, entering the bathroom. He had a couple other things he'd gotten that weren't for Carol or Denise, but he wanted to wait. He didn't want to prematurely give them to her, as she'd said there might not be a baby in a couple weeks. He'd wait until it was a sure thing then give them to her. He didn't know how he felt about the baby, but it was hers, and she was...very significant to him. So in a way the baby was too. He'd take care of them both, his feelings didn't matter. Their health, their safety, their survival—they mattered deeply to him.

– – –

They sat on the steps, Michonne was warming up a plate for him, Maggie had gone home, and Rick and Carl were reading Judith to sleep. Carol cleaned the wound, despite the fact that he'd showered, and she gingerly wrapped his hand. He could tell she'd mostly cleaned them to ensure they weren't bite marks, and he didn't want to explain what had happened on the road, but he had a feeling she'd worked it out when she figured out they weren't bite marks. Dixon anger. It wasn't a hard thing to figure out.

"Is this too tight?" She met his eyes, smoothing the adhesive strip over the wrap.

"It's fine."

She lowered her hands to her lap. "You need to be more careful."

"You're one to talk," he unthinkingly griped. He winced internally and tried to rectify his hasty tongue, but she laughed.

"I guess we both need to be more careful," she remarked in a hush tone when she stopped laughing.

"I'm goin' with you," he told her.

"With me where?"

"To see Harlan next. I dunno when it is, but I'm goin'."

"You don't have to do that. I'll have Rick and Denise, and I handle my own."

"It ain't just your own anymore."

She sighed without saying a word.

"I wanna be there," he imparted, "no matter what happens. You gonna stop me?"

She smiled at him softly, remembering all those months ago when she said those words to him on the road. "No, I'm not." She crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall. "I don't mind either, just don't expect any special treatment."

"Special treatment?"

"I'll be alone for the first examine."

"All right. That's fine." He stood up with her and narrowed his eyes. "Wait, only the first?" He could be there for the second? Or third? If it all checked out?

Her smile widened. "Good night, Daryl." She headed up the stairs. "We can talk more later. For now, I need some sleep."

"Yeah, night."

"Night."

So, if it all went well, he could be in the room for the second one. He could see the baby on the monitor and all of that with her. He watched her shuffle toward her bedroom, rubbing her shoulder, and his lips pulled in a small smile. He'd like that.

– – –

It was early the next morning when Daryl rolled out of bed, his hand no longer burning or aching, and he felt better. He didn't have the knot he'd woken up with since they returned from Hilltop. Probably because he knew why Carol was being distant. It was a load of worry off his shoulders. Now he had a new load. Two new loads, but he'd try not to be bothered by them.

He slipped out of the house before anyone woke, and he sauntered down the street, seeing the patrols and the wall people exchanging greetings, and he saw Abraham heading out for his job with a few of the men he'd gotten close to. Daryl knew he didn't much time, so he picked up his pace and found the house he was looking for.

Tobin exited his home and spotted Daryl Dixon at the end of his steps. He had heard from Francine—after Carol told him—that Daryl went off on Carol and Rick when he found out about the baby, and he had been expecting this. He didn't know if he'd get hit too, but it was likely. Daryl didn't know him or like him, and he was close to Rick and Rick had walked away with a bruise. It wouldn't be pretty, whatever Daryl had in mind.

"Morning," Tobin greeted him.

"Mornin'."

"What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm here, that I know about Carol's baby, and I got her back."

"That's good."

"And if anything happens to her, if you hurt her in any way, or try somethin' just 'cause she's carryin' your kid," he lowered his voice to a lethally low tone, "I'm comin' after you."

"What?"

"You heard me." With that, he walked off to meet Rick. They had a run to go on with Glenn. Daryl wanted to be there, support the kid through it as best he could, and he wanted to put some space between him and Carol for a little bit just so he could work out where the hell his emotions were. He couldn't make sense of them the last couple days, and he didn't want to avoid Carol, so this run was the best way to get it sorted. When they came back, maybe he'd have his thoughts organized and his feelings, because shit, it was like a train wreck inside of him. They could have that talk then.