Carol woke up to someone shaking her shoulder. Slowly opening her eyes she was blinded by light, "We need to head out. You slept a whole day." Joan passed a water bottle into Carol's hands, "I found some water and jerky in the back."
Carol took both gratefully, "Why did you let me sleep so long?" Joan chuckled around her jerky, "I just woke up not long ago. Just been up long enough to go through the car," Carol shared a smile with her, "How much longer do you think we have?"
Carol thought for a minute, "No more than 3 days," She hoped at least. She could tell by the constant throbbing in her knee, it was going to be an issue,"Did you find anything else useful?"
"Not really. We got extremely lucky with the water and jerky." They made small talk while they go ready to head out again. Carol walked around a little to get a feel of how her body was. She didn't think there was anything that didn't hurt. She was still bruised from the beatings and now her knee was adding to the pain. Sucking it up, they started on their way.
They walked for two days without finding any shelter. They took short breaks, sleeping in shifts when needed. They were getting into more familiar territory. She knew they would be on the road another day or so. They were running into a surprising amount of walkers which was slowing them down more. With Carol's limited movement Joan was staying close, she was having to take on most of walkers herself. While Carol had been holding her own, she had been knocked down twice, Joan stepping in to save her both times. Carol had never been so exhausted in her life.
By the end of the second day they were moving at a snail's pace. They were starving and thirsty and exhausted. They were sitting side by side with their backs against the base of a large tree, "How much further?" Joan asked with her head back and her eyes closed.
"I think late tomorrow or early the next day. Depends on how many obstacles we have," she paused and sighed wistfully, "We're so close."
"We'll get there," Joan said encouragingly, "Tell me about this place." Carol talked about the group and Alexandria until Joan fell asleep. Talking about everything had her brain working overtime, thinking of everything she had been through since the world changed. Losing Ed and Sophia. Being a part of a new family. Losing two more children. Learning she was more than capable of surviving in this world. She was probably most surprised at being able to love a man after being torn down by one. She had known since he had searched so hard for Sophia that she felt something for him. It wasn't till she had been banished and the group had been fractured that she realized it was love. The reunion after Terminus had made her have hope that just maybe he felt for something for her.
Then everything was so crazy for so long. Now even though they had kissed and shared so much lately she didn't know where they stood. She missed him and hoped he would forgive her for being stupid and getting herself kidnapped. Finally Joan woke up and it was her turn to sleep. When she woke up, she was alone.
She struggled to her feet quickly, looking around frantically. When she heard a noise to her left she jerked in that direction, hand on her knife. It was Joan and she was sweaty and out of breath. Before saying anything she held up a limp rabbit. She was bent over trying to catch her breath, "I saw the little bastard and chased it forever," grinning sheepishly she admitted, "I hit it with my tire iron." Carol couldn't help the laughter than erupted.
Joan stood up straight with an affronted look, "How dare you laugh at the person about to feed you," Carol only laughed harder. She was again impressed when Joan managed to somehow get a small fire going. She knew it was because she was so hungry, but the rabbit had to be the best thing she had ever eaten. An hour or so later they were on their way again, more energized with food in their stomachs.
They walked without seeing any walkers for several hours, even finding a stream that they severely needed. They were resting in the evening when they heard voices. The voices were loud, laughing and joking, but they didn't want to take any chances and quickly hid in the overgrown vegetation. Carol was surprised at how loud they were being and knew that they would have walkers on them soon.
As soon as the thought left her mind she heard the familiar growls of walkers. The group immediately went silent, but it was too late. Three walkers overwhelmed the group quickly. Carol met the eyes of Joan and she shook her head. There was nothing they could do. They quickly moved on while the walkers were distracted.
It had been two days since Daryl had noticed they were being watched. They hadn't had any more encounters, but Daryl knew they would. Everyone had been on edge. They had set up safe rooms that they would move people to if they were attacked. Deanna had put Daryl and Rick in charge of making sure they were as prepared as possible for anything the mysterious group may do.
He was in Carols room taking some time to himself while he went over detailed lists of what had been done and what still needed to be done. It was the middle of the day and he could hear people out in the streets through the open window. There was a bout of shouts that caught Daryl's attention. He had just stood up when the door burst open and Carl stood there with a worried expression, "There's people walking toward the gate." Daryl was right behind him as they ran out of the house.
There was a crowd gathering and Daryl pushed through to Rick who was standing near the front, "What's happening?" Daryl came to a stop beside Rick, who stood tensly with is hand on his gun.
"The construction crew saw two people heading their way. There's no one in the tower. We screwed up the schedule." The gate opened and everyone tensed. Abraham and a few others walked in and head toward Rick.
"This dickhead lost them," he said pointing to a young guy behind him. "They have to be sticking to the trees. They're familiar with the area. Before dumbass here lost them, he said one of them is hurt."
A timid, "I didn't see any weapons," came from behind him. Abraham grunted, "Probably loaded down then."
Daryl could understand his frustration, he himself was tense and kept looking to Rick for clues on what they were going to do. Carl was on the other side of Rick looking at him with much the same expression as Daryl. Finally Rick seemed to reach a decision and went to the gate and opened it before drawing his weapon. Carl and Daryl moved to flank him on either side.
They waited several minutes before a tall woman stepped in front of the gate from the wooded area. She saw the three of them and threw down the weapon in her hand and raised her empty hands quickly. She looked to her side and said something that couldn't be heard.
Daryl heard matching gasps from Rick and Carl as the second person limped out into the open. Daryl stood frozen as Rick and Carl rushed forward, along with several others as Carol headed in their direction. He watched as she embraced several people while talking. She looked passed the people around her and met eyes with Daryl. The relief that rushed through him almost brought him to his knees. There was a whirlwind of motion as she was scooped up in the crowd and taken away. She was taken to her room by Rosita and some other women who told Daryl they were going to check her over, when he tried to get in to see her.
Daryl gave them a couple of hours before he went back to the house. He walked in and found the woman who had showed up with Carol was sprawled out on the couch snoring. Daryl simply shook his head and headed up the stairs. He knocked lightly at the door not wanting to wake her if she was asleep. At her "come in" he opened the door.
She was laying on the bed with her knee elevated. She was wearing clean clothes and looked to have bathed. Her face was bruised and there was a cut on her cheek. He could see bruises peeking out from under her shirt as well. It made him angry, but the anger lessened when her face lit up with a brilliant smile, "It's about time," she held out her hand.
Daryl rushed the few steps to the bed and grasped her hand. She was laying toward the middle so he sat on the edge facing her, "What happened?"
She signed deeply, "I was stupid," she went over the story of what happened. When she finished Daryl was angry with her for being careless, but relieved she was OK. They talked more, but her eyes were drooping, "I'm gonna go so you can sleep."
The grip on his hand tightened and she spoke quietly, "Will you lay with me a bit?"
He wanted to shout yes, but said instead, "I don't want to hurt you."
She gave a gentle tug on his hand, "You won't."
Deciding to just give in to his desire for once he kicked off his shoes and lay beside her. At first he tried not to touch her, but she took his arm and pulled it across her middle. He scooted until his face was almost against her neck and felt her sigh and then felt her breathing even out almost immediately. He just lay there listening to her breath and feeling her stomach move under his hand. He had lay in this very bed thinking of how he was going to go on without her. Now she was back and he knew without a doubt he was never losing her again.
When Carol woke up she quickly became aware of two things, it was dark and she was sweating profusely. "God you let off a lot of heat," she grumbled causing Daryl to chuckle. He moved to where there was some space between them and stretched. She couldn't see him in the darkness of the room, she could only hear him moving. She was surprised when he reached over and found her hand in the dark.
"How are you feeling?" he asked after a bit.
"I feel OK. I'm starving though," she had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when he was up and moving toward the door, "Be right back." She scooted up with her back against the wall and turned on a lamp. Only a few minutes later he came back with a bowl and a glass of tea, "One of the old ladies made you some casserole," he explained handing the bowl to her and putting the drink on the nightstand. He settled down beside her while she ate.
"Your friend is still passed out on the couch downstairs," Carol nodded. "Joan. She had to take up my slack after I hurt my knee, she's a good person. She's one of us now," she glanced at him. He nodded in agreement. She finished her meal and handed Daryl the bowl in exchange for the tea. She drank down the whole glass in one go.
When she finished she noticed Daryl looking nervous and fiddling with the bedspread. She nudged him with her shoulder, "What's wrong?" the way he was acting made him seem younger.
He shrugged, "I was wondering if I could maybe... kiss you again," his head jerked up when she laughed, "I would like that very much." Carol wiggled to where she was laying down more. When Daryl moved to turn the lamp off Carol stopped him. He moved to lay where he was leaning over her, braced on his arm. He used his free hand to caress her cheek and ran his thumb over her lips. Carol's eyes closed at the gentleness. Then he placed his lips on hers, just as gently as his caress had been. Then he growled softly and deepened the kiss.
They both moaned at the first contact of their tongues. Carol had expected to not enjoy it, but that was not the case. She was amazed to be kissing Daryl. She worked her arm under his and around his back, pulling him closer. They finally had to break apart to catch their breath. They stared at each other. Daryl caressed Carol's ribs as she grasped the back of his shirt, "I'm going to stop now. I don't want to, but I don't want to hurt you," placing a gentle kiss on her lips, he moved to lay back beside her.
She was disappointed, but also relieved that he stopped. Her knee was throbbing and she could still feel every bruise, but she had been ready to go as far as he wanted to. Looking at him now he was still breathing a little heavily and had his arm over his eyes. It made her feel a little cocky to have that affect on him. She turned on her side easily, trying not to jar her knee. She put her hand on his chest, causing him to jump slightly. He took her hand and twined their fingers together.
It had taken all he had for Daryl to stop. He knew she was in pain though and wanted her to be healthy when it finally happened. Now he could see she was slowly nodding off again. Not wanting to leave her he reached over and turned off the lamp.
When Daryl woke again it was light out and he was alone in the bed. Before he could panic the door opened and Carol limped in, "Good morning." She had a bright smile that she seemed to save just for him, "Hey," he jumped up and helped her the rest of the way.
She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him standing in front of her. He looked at her seeing the want there. To keep from pouncing on her he announced, "You need food," before grabbing the dishes from the night before and literally running out the door.
When he got to the kitchen he was confronted by Joan standing against the counter eating dry cereal from a bowl with a spoon. Looking guilty, "Carol said I could help myself."
"Its fine, I'm gonna make some eggs. They're the powdered kind. Want some?" Daryl wouldn't usually be so nice to a stranger, but this woman had helped Carol so he considered her part of the group. After some hesitation she agreed to the eggs.
"So how does this place work?" Joan stood resting her elbows against the counter.
Daryl glanced in her direction as he gathered supplies for the eggs, "You'll probably meet with Deanna and she'll give you some job to do."
Joan looked skeptical, "It's that simple?" Daryl shrugged, "Yep."
They were silent while Daryl worked. He quickly finished the meal and passed a plate to Joan and then took two upstairs. When he opened the door Carol was standing by the bed buttoning her shirt, her back to him. He immediately realized that she was wearing clothes more like she wore before Alexandria, but then he was annoyed she was up and dressed, "What are you doing?" She jumped and turned, "What does it look like?"
"You should stay in bed. You need to heal," he passed her a plate and they sat side by side and ate.
"I'm not going to lay in bed all day. I'm not going to be useless," something about the tone in her voice made him look up. She was staring at her plate lost in thought. Shaking her head slightly she resumed eating.
"You've never been useless," he said even though he knew she wouldn't believe him. She looked at him and gave him a small smile.
"So what's been going on while I was gone," she asked changing the subject. Daryl told her about the strangers outside the wall and the preparations they were doing in case. After they finished their meal they went downstairs. Daryl left to meet up with Rick.
