Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead. I only own this crazy story idea.

Upping the ante...

Chapter 3

Daryl adjusted himself on the bed as he continued to rub Carol's temple with his fingertips and her breathing evened out. He moved to lay horizontal to her, propping himself up on his elbow. He stared down at her. She looked so small lying there next to him in that bed. For once her whole face was relaxed, no furrowed brow, no frown. She still looked exhausted though. She had those circles under her eyes from lack of sleep that they all sported around these days. Daryl was used to not sleeping, he never slept even before the world went to shit. Sleeping was hard in the Dixon house for many reasons. Daryl sighed as he watched the steady rise and fall of Carol's chest through the cotton shirt she was wearing. She shifted on the bed, her shirt rising just slightly at the waist showing him a small sliver of pale skin. Daryl swallowed hard, trying valiantly to ignore it. She shifted again each time moving a little closer to him then he noticed her almost imperceptible shiver. Was she cold? It was a hot day but the sun was settling and the breeze had kicked up. Daryl scooted just a bit closer, he didn't want her catchin' a cold or anythin'.

Shane took the stairs two at a time and slipped through the door with an ice bag in hand. He stopped and frowned seeing Daryl laying on the bed rubbing Carol's head. "I brought her some ice," Shane said dangling the bag.

"Shhh," Daryl admonished. "She's sleepin'."

Carol shifted and opened her eyes. "It's okay. I was just drifting off a little."

Shane sat himself down on the other side of the bed, folding his leg in front of him. He gave Daryl a look. "I can't put the ice pack down if you keep rubbing her head. Why are you laying down, anyway? It's not like your sick."

Daryl glared at him.

Carol sat up abruptly not wanting them to argue anymore. Unfortunately, it made her a little woozy and her head started to throb again. She gingerly touched it, frowning.

"See what ya did," Daryl glared at Shane. "She was feelin' better before you woke her up."

Shane glared back at him. "I am sure the ice will help, sweetheart." Shane said smiling at her.

"She ain't your sweetheart," Daryl snapped. He sat up in bed, anger radiating off him.

"Woah, buddy," Shane said raising his arms in mock surrender. "It's just a southern thing. I didn't mean any harm or offense by it, Carol."

Carol nodded. "It's okay. None taken." she whispered. Her head continued to throb.

Daryl looked at her, concerned. "Is it worse?"

"No, I don't think so. It just hurts." Carol whispered, the loudness was definitely not helping her head and neither was the bickering for that matter.

"I'm getting, Herschel." Daryl stood up.

"I'm right here," Herschel walked in. "Did or did I not tell you boys to let this poor girl rest. I could hear you from all the way downstairs."

Daryl brought his hand to his mouth, nervously picking at a nail. Shane had the good sense to look contrite.

"I think we should give you something for the pain, Carol. I don't want to give you any narcotics but I have something downstairs that will help with the pain. It's a strong anti-inflammatory."

Shane stood. "I'll go get it."

Herschel nodded. "Top shelf in the dining right, bottle on the left. Shane will bring you two of those and you will start feeling better." Herschel patted her shoulder before exiting the room. He turned at the door, directing a look at Daryl first before turning back to Carol. "Rest."

"Sorry," Daryl said, softly.

"For making me feel better?" Carol whispered. She stretched her hand out to him. "Stay. I like your company, it makes me feel better."

Daryl dropped his hand from his mouth and walked over to the bed to take hers. It was incredibly small and soft against his own. "I really don't like him."

Carol smiled. "Shane?"

"Yeah." Daryl stated gruffly as he dropped back onto the bed.

"Because of Rick?" Carol asked.

Daryl looked at her strangely. Rick? What the fuck did Rick have to do with this?

Shane walked back through the door carrying two white pills and water. "At you service, madam." Shane grinned down at her.

Carol took the water and pills from Shane. After she swallowed them, she looked at both men. "I think I am going to lay down for a while. Shane, thank you again for checking on me. It was very sweet." Carol said as she laid back. "Daryl is going to stay with me though."

Daryl grinned at Shane, damn if he hadn't been clearly dismissed by Carol. It made Daryl ridiculously happy. He reveled in it allowin' no questioning for why it made him so damn happy.

Shane nodded. "Okay, you get some rest."

Carol looked up at him after Shane left. "Do you mind sitting with me for a little bit?"

Daryl shook his head and leaned back against the headboard. He cleared his throat.

Carol looked up at him, expectantly.

"I was thinkin," Daryl started his southern draw more pronounced as his voice got even lower. "You might wanna put your head over here on my lap if you want me to rub it like before. Ya know if ya want to."

Carol had to strain to hear him and she held back her smile as his cheeks reddened. "That would be great." Carol shifted in bed resting her head in Daryl's lap.

"Long as it helps and everythin," Daryl whispered.

Carol's eyes were already closed as she drifted back off to sleep.

Daryl woke with a start several hours later. He blinked at the darkness that was filling the room. His own head felt slightly groggy from falling asleep too early. He was laying on the bed with his arm wrapped around Carol's waist. Fuck. How had he gotten into this position? She shifted groggily.

"Mmmm..." Carol moaned and turned around in the bed. She slipped her arm around his waist and snuggled right up against him. She let out another moan and burrowed herself into his chest.

Daryl groaned. This was not good. She was all warm and soft pressed up against him. Fuck. His dick was already hardening. "Carol?" Daryl whispered. He figured she would move the minute she realized what she was doing and he could take care of what was fast becoming an embarrassing situation.

Carolyn pulled back from his chest just slightly as she looked up at him. "Hi," she whispered.

Daryl looked down at her. She was looking at him, all fucking innocent. Shit. "You feelin' better?" Daryl asked surprised that he managed to get the damn words out of his mouth given that all his blood had made a mad dash south of the border.

Carol grinned at him. "I'm good. Really good."

"Your head..." Daryl started but was interrupted.

"Is so much better," Carol snuggled back against him. "You feel so nice."

What the fuck did she just say, he felt nice? Daryl started to respond when he felt Carol press even closer to him, her hips pressing forward against his. His arm, out of sheer instinct, grasped her hip holding her flush against him and this time he could not hold back his groan. Out loud. Fuck.

Carol sighed contentedly.

Daryl could feel the sweat gathering on his brow, she was most certainly gonna notice in a couple of minutes just how nice this felt for him or fuck she probably already had. "Carol," he said, weakly.

Carol pulled back from him all the way this time. "It is so hot in here. Don't you think so? God, I am burning up."

It was definitely too damn fucking hot in here but for Daryl it had little to do with the actual temperature.

Carol bit down on her lower lip and looked over at him from underneath her lashes.

Jesus Christ, Daryl thought I am gonna have a fucking heart attack.

"Daryl," she whispered. "I think I am gonna change, okay?"

Daryl was still trying to process that fucking look that she gave him.

Carol unbuttoned her pants and started to shimmy them off her hips.

Daryl stopped breathing. Yeah, he was pretty fucking sure he forgot how to as his eyes locked on a first glimmer of pink lace. Daryl gritted his teeth together and his hand fisted in the comforter in an attempt not to shove her ass right down on that bed with him on top.

"Carol," Daryl groaned. "You gotta keep your clothes on, woman. Please."

"Why?" Carol asked.

Fuck but she was doing that whole biting the lip shit again. "God, please stop that," he pleaded.

Carol stopped with her pants resting on her hips. She kneeled in front of him as her hand went up to his face and traced across his cheek. "Its okay, Daryl."

What the fuck did Herschel give her?

Carol slipped off the edge of the bed. "I am going to take a shower," she announced.

"Now?" Daryl asked confusion evident in his tone.

Carol nodded smiling and then suddenly her smile stopped. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Daryl watched as she bolted for the bathroom. He jumped up and followed just in time to see her heave into the toilet. He was no big fan of the vomiting, had seen his share in his life between a drunk Merle and an even more drunk father. He kneeled down beside her. He stroked her back as her small frame shook with the impact of heaving. He was worried. He knew her strange behavior aside that vomiting was not a good sign after a head injury. "Carol?"

"Oh God," Carol whispered.

"I think I should get Herschel," Daryl said softly.

Carol nodded as she dropped her head to rest on the toilet rim.

"Don't move, baby." Daryl whispered as he brushed her short hair with a soft kiss.

Carol's head was swimming and her stomach rolling but despite all that her mind registered only one thing. Did Daryl Dixon just call her baby?

A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. They truly make my day. Does a second arguement with Shane make Carol realize Daryl's anger has nothing to do with Rick? Will Daryl stop playing games after calling Shane on it? What will Carol do?