8th Life

"The hell were you thinkin'?" Daryl asked as he hoisted Carol up into his arms. He huffed and looked upward at the young woman on the watch tower. "You gonna stand there or open the damned gate?" The doors creaked open, and Daryl carried Carol through, grunting and hoisting her into the back of a pick up that sat just inside.

The gates slammed shut in their wake, and Carol grabbed her ankle, hissing sharply as the pain shot through her.

"That walker was right on you, Daryl!" Carol shouted.

"So you go all GI Jane and jump the fence? You just broke your damned ankle!" He gently undid the straps and laces on her boot before sliding it off, grimacing at the sight of her ankle already purple and swollen. "You coulda broke your neck." He gently ran his calloused fingers over her neck, and she winced in pain. "Almost did. Fuck, Carol! What's the matter with you?" He saw her blink back tears as if she'd been struck, and she took a deep breath and a step back. "Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't…"

"Just take me home. Please." Daryl sighed heavily and he picked her up again, holding her close as he walked down the street to their home. The house was silent when he opened the door and walked her into the living room, depositing her on the couch. "You're angry." She watched him as he paced the room. "I'm sorry."

"I had 'im. You didn't have to do that."

"I know," Carol murmured. "It was instinct. I just…I reacted, and I guess I didn't think about it until I was already down."

"You gotta stop puttin' yourself on the line. 'Specially for me."

"I love you," Carol stressed, watching as his pacing slowed. "If I'm gonna put myself on the line for anybody, it's gonna be you." She reached for his hand and tugged on his arm to get him to sit down next to her on the couch.

"You fell, and he was on you."

"But I got him," Carol pointed out.

"Yeah, but he coulda got you. Another half-second, and he woulda got a chunk out of your neck, and I'd have to…" He balled his fists up. "I can't."

"Daryl," Carol murmured softly, her hand on his back. "I realized a long time ago that there's nothing promised. Nothing. So if I'm going to risk my life for anybody, it's going to be the man I love. The man I share my life with. You." His hand relaxed against his knee, and she laced her fingers with his.

"I can't lose you. Just promise me you ain't gonna go leapin' off no more walls."

"I promise," she said softly, as he moved to kneel in front of her, taking her other boot off and gently brushing his fingers over her other ankle.

"Gonna have to keep you off this for a while. Definitely broken. Least you're ok." Carol smiled a little, and she gently ran her fingers through his hair. She watched as he took her hand in his and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Love you too damned much to see you get yourself hurt for me." Carol took a shaky breath and pursed her lips together before leaning down to kiss him tenderly.

"You'd do the same for me."

"S'different."

"No it isn't," she murmured, stroking his stubble-covered jaw. "You've been my hero for years, Daryl. Let me have this."

"Oh, I see," he chuckled. "This some kind of female empowerment thing?" Carol rolled her eyes.

"Damned right," she laughed, as he pulled himself back up onto the couch and pulled Carol's legs gently across his lap. He scooped her up, kissing her gently, relishing the feel of her hands gliding over his shoulders and back. And then she grimaced against his lips, and he pulled back.

"Yeah, we ain't doin' this right now."

"No," she pouted. "Probably not a good idea."

"I'll get the painkillers and some of that tea ya like so much." She scoffed.

"I don't want the painkillers. I'll be out for a day."

"And ya won't be leapin' off no walls either. Better make it a double."

"You ass," she snickered, as he pulled her in for one more kiss. And then the pain started again, and she sighed wearily. "Alright, painkillers it is."

"That's my girl," he murmured, nuzzling her neck before he gently scooted her back onto the couch and headed into the kitchen to get what he needed to take care of her. Carol lay back, her head against a pillow, closing her eyes and smiling despite the pain, thankful to have these moments with him. Even if it had been a stupid move in retrospect, she'd do it all over again if she could. His life meant more to her than anything, and she'd save him every day for the rest of their lives if she had to.