Carol had to admit it was really nice to travel around the city with a local. Daryl actually knew Manhattan like the back of his hand. He knew places. He knew people. He knew the best way to get from point A to point B. And most importantly - Carol felt safe with him. New York was scary to her. She really, really wasn't a big city kind of girl. She didn't like crowds, the hustle and bustle, the fast pace or the lack of… southern charm. But, even though she'd just arrived, he was making it easier already and she was incredibly thankful for that.

"A private mattress store?" Carol asked again. "This is so strange." The cab dropped them off in front of a large building with no name on it. Daryl had explained on the way over that he knew a place they could get a bed but it was appointment only. He made a quick call and they were lucky enough to get an immediate appointment.

"It's actually brilliant," Daryl replied. "This guy insists that you should never buy a bed you ain't laid in first. And some people just aren't comfortable trying em out in public. Plus," he gave her a smile. "New York has a lot of celebrities. And some celebs like to keep their private life private." He held open the door and waved her in. "Imagine if a photo of you and I bed shopping together popped up on Instagram or Twitter?"

Carol realized he had a good point. "Well I know all those girls who are in love with you would pounce at me with their fangs bared," she replied with a laugh. "It's not easy to be the lady in Daryl Dixon's life… real or imagined."

"We don't have one of those couple names… that's what makes it official ya know," he said, glancing at her. "What could ours be? Pixon? Deltier? Darol… or Caryl? Yeah, I think I like the last one," he said with a nod.

"But the last one was just my name," Carol said, feeling confused.

"Nah," Daryl shook his head. "It's Caryl. With a Y. C-A-R-Y-L."

"Still sounds like Carol to me," she muttered.

"It's different," he insisted. "Caryl. Say it… Caryl, like ullllll not ollllllll." She stared at him blankly. "Try it."

"Carol," she said. He shook his head. "Carol?" Daryl shook his his head again. She sighed and tried again, "Car...yl. Caryl."

"Got it," he proclaimed happily. "See, they do sound different. And that's us now - Caryl."

"Okie dokie," Carol replied, rolling her eyes.

"Yup, we are now official" he said, smacking her ass lightly. "Alert the tabloids."

They were both laughing when they pushed open the doors to a huge showroom filled with beds. "Holy shit…" Carol muttered, looking at the sea of mattresses. They were greeted by a short, yet larger than life, Italian man named Vinnie. She fell in love with him instantly and listened attentively while he explained the way the showroom was set up.

"You have the firm over here on the left and they get softer as you move towards the right. But each section is also divided by type - your pocket coils, pillow top, euro top, memory foam, gel, etcetera," he spoke, with a thick but adorable accent. Carol loved the passion he had for what he did. "Try as many as you like. The place is yours for a full hour if you need it," he explained. "I will be down the hall in my office. But if you have any questions just push this," he handed her a little device with a red button on it. "It buzzes in my office and I'll come right back to help." With that he left and they were alone in the huge room.

"So what do you like?" Daryl asked. "Soft… medium… hard…"

"Oh definitely not firm," Carol replied, correcting him and ignoring the flirty undertones.

"Hmm," he muttered. "Mine is fairly firm you know," Daryl added, trailing along after her.

"Your bed?" she asked. Carol decided this was just gonna end up one huge conversation filled with sexual innuendos so she might as well give in early and enjoy it.

"Ha, that too," Daryl chuckled.

She rolled her eyes again, but smiled. Daryl's older brother Merle was probably the most perverted man she'd ever met and he made no attempt to hide it. As bashful as Daryl was early on in their friendship she knew he'd learned all Merle's best lines and that he knew how to flirt, but it just took a while for him to be able to do it without turning the color of a tomato afterwards. "Let's start with the memory foam," she said. "Oh… these are expensive… let's go back to the pillow tops."

"It's fine," Daryl said, kicking off his shoes and jumping onto the nearest memory foam bed. "Hey, this isn't too bad," he said, stretching out. "Come try it." They definitely had different perspectives on money, but then again… Daryl made a lot more than she did. Not that he didn't work for it or deserve it. He worked hard. He attended a lot of conventions and did several projects every year on top of the television show he was on. He earned every penny and he enjoyed spending it too.

Carol slipped out of her boots and climbed in beside him. "I've never actually slept in a memory foam before," Daryl announced. "But I bet they aren't as great for…" He bounced up and down a bit.

"Well it's a good thing I don't have to worry about that then isn't it?" Carol replied.

"What? Why not? You're gonna be at my place for 2 months. I don't mind if you bring someone home," he said, propping up on his elbow. Carol wasn't exactly sure how to reply to that. It was weird to even think about bringing some random guy back to Daryl's place, not to mention having sex with him across the hall. But on the other hand, she had no doubt that there would be similar things happening in his room several times during her stay. "Unless you wanna…" Daryl scooted closer and put his hand lightly on the side of her hip. "Ya know, hook up while you're here? Save us both the trouble of having to look elsewhere."

"Well then why on earth do we need another bed?" Carol replied. "When we have yours?"

Daryl knew she was joking, just as much as he had been. He kissed the tip of her nose. "I love you," he chuckled.

"I know," Carol sighed. "Can't say I blame you." Daryl snorted and climbed over her, getting out on her side of the bed. One well timed swipe of her leg or arm and she could have had him right on top of her. The idea was a bit more appealing than it should have been. Carol blamed it on the abundance of flirting and her rather long drought in the department of male company. But she did check out his ass while he climbed out of the bed. It was only fair, she knew he checked out hers every chance he got.

They tried the gel beds next which were even more expensive, but Carol didn't like them. Ironically enough, it turned out to be a pillow top that she liked the best, though it wasn't significantly cheaper like she'd expected. "This is perfect," she sighed, sinking into the bed and closing her eyes.

The mattress bounced as Daryl practically dove in on the other side. "Oh, it's kinda squishy," he commented, wiggling and bouncing. She could have easily fallen asleep without him squirming around. "You sure about this one?" he asked, flopping about some more.

"Yes," she replied instantly. "Just stop moving, lay still… and relax. It's like sleeping on a cloud," she added dramatically.

"Or quicksand," Daryl muttered in reply, shifting around yet again.

Carol sat up and gave him a look. "Just trust me and relax," she said. "Deep breath… close your eyes…" He obeyed. "See, isn't this nice…" Daryl squirmed and she grabbed his wrists and pinned them above his head. "Stay still," she hissed.

His eyes flew open and Daryl grinned at her. "Or what?" he asked, moving his hips. Carol glared at him and took the challenge. She slipped a leg over his midsection and stopped the movement. "Hmm, I think I like where this is going," he said. "This bed is getting more comfortable every second."

"Shut up and relax," Carol ordered.

"I'll try," Daryl sighed in defeat. "But I'm not sure how you expect me to relax with your ass pressed firmly against my…"

"You're impossible," she groaned, slipping off him. Daryl adjusted himself immediately.

"You're the one who climbed on top of me and told me to relax," Daryl shot back. Once again, he had a point. It was a stupid, impulsive move on her part. But she'd be lying if she tried to deny the fact that she… enjoyed it. Maybe later, lying alone in the new bed, she would let her mind wander to what it would be like to dominate Daryl. Being on top of him like that, even for a second, felt rather empowering. "What's that weird smirk for?" he asked, bringing her back to present.

"Oh nothing," Carol replied. "This is the one I want," she said confidently.

And with those words Daryl finally relaxed long enough to understand her decision. "Okay, you might be right… this is actually pretty comfy."

"I was what?" Carol teased. "Did you just admit I was… right?"

"Don't get used to it," he replied, getting out of bed to grab the button to call Vinnie.

"When can you deliver?" Daryl asked, after everything was settled and paid for.

"Ah, my delivery van could very well make it to your apartment before you do Mr. Dixon," Vinnie replied with a smile.

He wasn't kidding. They had just walked in the front door of Daryl's apartment when the buzzer sounded. "Holy shit, they're here already?" Carol muttered. "How will we get that room cleaned out in time?"

Daryl buzzed them up before he spoke, "Come see." She followed him down the hall curiously. She gasped when she walked into the room. It looked like… a bedroom… the only thing missing was a bed.

"How?" she asked, completely bewildered. There was even a flat screen TV mounted on the wall.

"As soon as you said you'd stay I sent a few text messages," he replied with a shrug, as if it was nothing. "I have peeps," he added with a smile.

"Thank you," Carol said, genuinely. She walked over and hugged him. "You're pretty amazing

sometimes, Dixon."

"Sometimes?" he asked, hugging her back. They were interrupted by the delivery men arriving. It took them less than 15 minutes to set up the bed and they were gone. When the two of them walked back into the bedroom it was complete.

"The bed is made?" Carol said, giving him a look.

"Part of Vinnie's deal," he explained. "Sheets and a duvet with every mattress." Carol smiled at the sentiment. "Told you he was brilliant." Daryl gestured for her to get in bed. "Let's see how it feels in its new home."

"I didn't think it was possible," Carol moaned. "But it feels even better." She rolled on her side and faced Daryl who was looking at her. "I'm gonna sleep like a baby tonight."

"Do you start work tomorrow?" he asked. A pang of nerves stuck her with the mention of why she was really in New York. "Hey… what's wrong?" She knew her eyes gave her away every time, unless she really focused on hiding it.

"I have one more day off but, I'm a bit nervous about the role," Carol admitted.

"Pfft," Daryl scoffed. "You're amazing. You'll kill anything they throw at you."

"I don't know…" she sighed. "There are a couple scenes that are… uh… very different for me."

"Like what?" he asked. Daryl started to smile. "Do you have love scenes in this movie?"

"Maybe," she said with a pout.

He laughed. "You'll be fine. You've done a bit of that before, right?" Carol shook her head. "Nothing?"

"I kissed a guy in one movie, one time," she said, with a slight blush.

"Hmm," Daryl replied. "Well how intense are we talking?"

Carol blushed harder. "Let's just say… the world is gonna see a whole new side of me. And that side… ain't gonna be wearing much."

Daryl was grinning like an idiot. "This is the best thing ever."

She sat up and whacked him with her pillow. "I hate you."