Daryl holds her until her tears are dried. She takes a shaky breath and steps away from his embrace.

"I'm sorry for that", she makes a helpless hand movement. "I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. I will go now."

Daryl grabs the keyes for his truck.

"You are not in the condition to drive by yourself. I will take you to the hospital."

"That isn't necessary. I can drive on my own, I don't want to be a burden to you."

Daryl nervously fiddles with the keys of his car. "You aren't a burden. You shouldn't be alone right now and I will bring you to the hospital. Don't contradict!"

Carol smiles faintly and shrugs her shoulders. "Well, then lets go."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Maggie, sitting next to Sophia's bed, looks at Daryl in amazement.

"What are you doing here?"

It's Daryl's turn to shrug his shoulders. "I didn't want her to drive here on her own."

"Softie!" Maggie teases with a grin and Daryl blushes.

Carol didn't notice this small conversation, her eyes are fixed on her daughter. She looks so small. Her heart is breaking for her beloved daughter. All she wanted for her is to live a normal life. Like other kids. Having fun and friends. Ed has always been right, she's useless, she can't do anything right. She is one big failure. When she hadn't allowed Sophia to ride a bicycle, she wouldn't be here now. She takes a hold of Sophia's hand and silent tears are running down her face.

And Maggie watches with puzzlement how Daryl wraps his arms around Carol's trembling body.

Daryl is appalled by his actions. Never had he done such a thing. He's afraid of being yelled at, being pushed away, being rejected. He's afraid to cross a border. He's so unaware of human interaction. But this feels so right.

He doesn't see the genuine smile on Maggie's face as she walks out of the hospital room.

Truth to be told, he doesn't even notice, that Maggie leaves the room.

The only thing he notices is the way Carol fits in his arms.

As if she belongs there.

Carol is shocked by Daryl's actions. This lonely man offers her comfort. Her. The woman, that brought all this chaos and heartbreak into his life.

And she's even more shocked by her reactions to his actions.

It feels so good to be in his arms. So right and so natural.

The tension in her muscles slowly fades away. Replaced by an amazing feeling of warmth and hope and safety and peace.

Her tears are drying. Her breathing becomes calmer.

Last night had been pure horror to her. Never before she felt so helpless, so alone.

All night she spent at Sophia's side, praying. And when Maggie showed up, Carol decided to go to Daryl. She swallowed her pride and her fear and faced him. It was incredibly difficult for her. She was afraid of his anger. But she was willing to try. For her daughter. After all, Ed is her dad. And he has the right to know about Sophia's condition. Altough Carol is sure, Ed won't care. But he is her dad. He ought to know.

And here she is, feeling utterly safe in Daryl arms.

She feels his heartbeat, steady and calm. She soaks up the warmth radiating of his body. Her nose catches a whiff of his body wash, laced with a hint of motor oil and cigarettes. The smell is soothing.

Carol allows herself to close her eyes. To relish into the feeling of his arms, wrapped around her.

Daryl feels the tension leaving Carol's body, feels how she seems to melt into his arms. She leans her head against his chest and again, it feels natural. He doesn't flinch.

They don't need to talk right now.

They understand.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

It feels a like a dream and neither of them knows for how long they stand together, hugging. Carol's fingers intertwined with her daughters fingers. And suddenly she feels Sophia's fingers twitch.

A deep sense of relief comes over Carol when she sees Sophia's eyelids flutter.

"Sweety, mommy is here."

She bends over her daughter, smiling bright when Sophia slowly opens her eyes. "Mommy", she asks weakly. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You had an accident and now you are in the hospital. But everything will be fine. Now everything will be okay. Look Daryl, she's awake. O god, thank you!"

"Daryl? Why is he here?" Sophia asks feebly.

Carol smiles at Daryl, a smile that weakens his legs and almost bursts his heart out of his chest and says :"He's a friend!"