Touching Base

Daryl

Carol was sleeping peacefully when Daryl scooted out of bed the next morning. He needed some time to process last night and he didn't think well around Carol. He needed to be alone. He did find some paper and a pen in the living room and he wrote a short note telling her he had some errands this morning but he would like to take her to lunch before they went to the soccer game.

He went for a long walk. It was quiet. Just some early morning joggers out at this hour. Daryl identified the feeling that had possessed him since he woke up next to Carol. Fear. It seemed like he had been afraid his whole damn life. Couldn't remember a time that he hadn't been afraid of his father. Just hearing his father's old truck coming down the gravel road to their house would make him run to the woods to hide. Running and hiding. And wasn't that what is was doing this morning? Running from Carol because last night he had revealed too much. She had listened quietly. Nodding from time to time, but in the cold gray light of the morning? Would she feel sorry for the abused child and not be interested in the man? Had he revealed too much, too soon?

She had talked too. Carol had barely survived her marriage. That's was one thing they had in common. They had both been beaten and belittled by someone who managed to make them feel guilty that they had caused the abuser to hurt them. Now that was fucked up.

Jesse had convinced him to go to counseling years ago and Daryl had gone reluctantly. His counselor had prescribed regular appointments with him and that Daryl attend group therapy sessions every week. All the participants had been abused as children and wasn't that a merry little band. Bunch of dopers, drunks, and losers. They whined about their failed marriages, bad jobs, and life in general. He wanted to quit the counseling sessions and the group therapy but Jesse kept after him and he stuck it out. In the end, it did help him.

But he was running and hiding this morning. Carol scared the shit out of him. He was afraid that she would decide that he was too fucked up to be around. Maybe she was better off dating the pompous asses. They were safer. Carol liked safe. He knew that because he liked safe too.

Daryl bought hot coffee at a convenience store and started back. The old Daryl would run at this point. Just not show up to take Carol to the game and then go get drunk. Something to make her not want to be around him. Sabotage the relationship. He had been good at that. He didn't want to do that anymore. He wanted this relationship to last.

He had laughed all day yesterday at her expression when he told her that "she had jumped on the Dixon love train." Jesse had given him a few "what the fuck" looks when he found Daryl staring off into space smiling. Daryl had found himself thinking about what he would wear that evening for dinner. Now that was bad enough, but he had brought wine and flowers and only stopped himself from bringing the imported chocolates that he had bought because that might be too much. He was a total pussy, but Carol had smiled at him last night when she saw the wine and the flowers. And he had the chocolates handy.

The walk back seemed to take forever. Carol would be awake by now. Probably grateful that he had snuck off like a damn thief. Maybe wondering if he regretted being so honest. Maybe regretting being so honest herself.

Kinda wished he hadn't run off. Maybe they could have gone out for breakfast. Pancakes and sausages and lots of coffee. Maybe talk as they eat. She could tell him about her job and he could listen even if he thought it sounded like the dullest ass job in the world. All those maybes he had lost because he had went default; run and hide.

Daryl pulled out his cell phone to call Merle. It would be early in New Mexico but Merle was an early riser. His brother's voice drowned out the sounds of the city, "Lil' Bruther, something wrong?"

"Naw, just wanted to talk. How's things in the "Land of Enchantment"?

"New Mexico is fine. Cold as a witch's teat. Christie and I are going to spend Thanksgiving in Sante Fe. You coming out for Christmas? Guess you're spending Thanksgiving with Michonne and Jesse?" Merle sounded good. Happy.

"Don't know about Christmas? Are you staying on the Rez?"

"Yeah, Christmas is a bad time for my kids you know. Too much partying and family tensions going on. Christie and I are hosting a party at the clinic on Christmas Eve and then we're going to Christmas Eve mass. I miss you, Daryl. Christie and I both want to see you."

Daryl loved Christie. She was sweet as pie and tough as nails. Merle had met her after he came back from rehab. It took Merle three months before she would agree to go out with him. They were married six months later. Then they rode off into the sunset together. "You treating her right? I'ma going to kick your ass if you mess this up."

Merle laughed, "You ain't man enough to kick my ass and I'm too smart to mess this up. Now did you ever find your missing balls and ask your pretty neighbor out?"

"I'm taking Carol to Jada and Judith's soccer game this afternoon. Not a real date, we're just going together." That was more than enough information.

"I know that you got it bad for her. I could tell by the way you always ignored her that you did. She ignored you too. She needs a gentle hand and you are the sweet one." Merle sounded happy for him.

"I'm scared that I'm going to mess this up." Daryl stopped walking in front of a jewelry store. Displays of diamonds everywhere.

"Don't get in a hurry. You want this. I can tell. Talk to her. You didn't go to all those therapy sessions because you wanted to mess up. Call me tomorrow. I love you, Daryl." Merle hung up. The asshole always finished their phone calls by telling him he loved him.

Daryl looked at the clock on the bank on the other side of the street. He needed to get a move on. Wasting time daydreaming by a jewelry store. Only diamonds were forever.

Carol

She hadn't been surprised that Daryl wasn't there when she woke up. She was a little relieved. She had told him more about her life with Ed than she should have. What man wants to know that your marital sex life was a series of violent encounters? That you stayed with him because he had a list of people that you loved that he threatened to kill if you left? Sophia first, then Andrea and Michonne. Then you last because he wanted you to know that you were responsible for their deaths. That you only escaped when he went too far and got sent to prison. No wonder he ran off.

Daryl's father was a monster and his mother a drunk. It had been worse for Daryl than her. She had had loving parents until they had been killed in a car wreck. He had been beaten and brutalized all through his childhood. It was a miracle that he survived that and that he managed to become a functional adult.

Carol found the note. He might have ran off this morning but he had left a note asking her to go to lunch with him. Maybe he wasn't too freaked out after all.

Carol was just getting ready to call Sophia when the phone rang. Her daughter was all excited about hosting her first Thanksgiving meal and wanted to talk. Carol listened and threw some encouragement in every once in a while.

"I'm sorry that I missed Michonne's party. Uncle Jesse sent me the video presentation that he made. Carl and I watched it together. The two of us as children and the rest of you looking so young. Made me cry." Sophia confessed.

"I think most of us shed a tear or two. We got all sentimental and behaved badly." Carol remembered downing the shots and the buzz afterward. Kissing Daryl and trying to take his shirt off.

"Uncle Jesse sent some photos taken at the party? Kept seeing you and Daryl D together in all the one that he sent. Are you seeing Daryl? You two looked awfully cozy?" Sophia was teasing but curious.

"Daryl drove me to the party. You know how shy he is in a large group. We're becoming better friends." Carol didn't know what they were. Friends? Confidants?

"Ask your better friend to come to Thanksgiving at my house. You're coming Wednesday evening and he can drive you here. He can go hunting with Carl while we cook." Sophia finally got off the phone just in time for Carol to get finished for her date with her friend. That is if her friend didn't stand her up.

Daryl rang the doorbell at exactly twelve o'clock dressed for cold weather in a flannel shirt and heavy coat. Carol had her dressed in a sweater, jeans, and boots. "Better get a heavy coat. It's cold out there."

They went to lunch in a nasty looking diner. Carol eyed it dubiously, but Daryl ushered her in. "I know it looks like hell outside, but the food is really good."

It was clean inside and Daryl ordered their hamburgers and cheesy fries at the counter. He introduced her to the owner. Theodore Douglas loomed over the both of them, "So you can't do better than this guy? You just dump him and I'll give you a job working here."

Daryl had grinned at him, "Don't be trying to Bogart my woman, Oscar. I'll tell Jacqui on you."

Theo pretended to be terrified, "Jacqui's finishing up something at the house. She'll be here in a few minutes. Don't you tell any stories on me. That woman is scary when she is mad."

They were just finishing up an excellent meal when Theo and a tall dark woman came over. Jacqui was Theo's wife and a partner in their business, "Honey, don't worry about that bill. You and Jesse did a wonderful job on our house at a great price. I was going to call you to see if you wanted to come to Thanksgiving. You can bring your girl."

Daryl shook head, "I can come, but Carol's going to visit her daughter."

Carol turned to Daryl, "Sophia asked me to invite you, but if you have other plans. I'll tell her you're busy."

Jacqui patted Daryl's arm, "Don't look so panicked. You go on with Carol, but you will come to our Christmas party?"

"Wouldn't miss it. Jesse's daughter is playing in a soccer game. Uncle Daryl and Aunt Carol have to leave now." Daryl and Theo beat on each other's back in the universal symbol of male friendship. Jacqui hugged them both and Theo took her hand, "I hope to see you again, Carol. Maybe at our party?"

The soccer game was cold and it began to rain. Carol and her friends found shelter in a concession stand while the men toughed it outside.

Andrea had made chili and invited everyone to her house. Andrea was a dreadful cook but she did make great chili.

It was late when they got back to their condos. Daryl kissed her at her front door. "So you'll go Christmas shopping with me tomorrow?"

Carol kissed him back, "Yes, but no whining. Christmas shopping is serious business. See the hill, take the hill. No wimping out."

Daryl turned to go, "I'm taking this slow because I want it to be right. Sophia really did invite me?"

"She wants you to drive me down Wednesday night so that you can go hunting with Carl Thursday morning. I have to work on Friday so we'd have to leave that evening." Carol was looking forward to spending time with Sophia.

"Sorry I ran out this morning." Daryl took her hand, "I'm afraid I'll mess up."

Carol grinned, "If it doesn't work out I still have Theo.

Daryl kissed her hand, "I won't wimp out. See the hill and take the hill, that's my new motto."

"I'm going to sneak into your room at Sophia's. Probably just to sleep, but I will anyway."

"Tease."

"No, she deserves it. How many beach vacations did she and Carl sneak into each other's rooms? I just pretended I didn't know it. Now I get even."

Daryl grinned. "We can jump up and down on the bed and make lots of noise."

Carol kissed him again, "I like the way you think. See you tomorrow." She disappeared inside her door and Daryl walked slowly to his apartment wishing it was already tomorrow.

AN

Just a bit of a slowdown on the Dixon Love Train, but it isn't going to be derailed. Maybe sidelined a little as Carol and Daryl have a few bumps on the road.

"