"What the… umm… Ma'am…" Carol heard Daryl's confused voice as he opened the door and stepped into his hotel room where she was waiting. "I think you're in the wrong… Oh," he said as she turned around and he realized what was going on.

"Daryl, there's a lonely blonde woman in your room and you're trying to send her away?" Carol teased, fluffling the wig she was wearing. "You really have changed."

He walked over to her with a smile and tugged the wig off her head. He lightly ruffled her short hair and pulled her into his arms. "Why would I want a blonde when I've been counting the seconds until you would be here?"

"Oh stop, I know you. You'd finish off the blonde and be ready and waiting for whoever is next," she replied, shaking her head. It wasn't that she liked to think or talk about Daryl being with other women while they were… well… doing whatever it was they were doing. But it was the reality of the situation. There wasn't anything exclusive about their relationship and it would be silly for her to believe Daryl had only been with her. Especially when he was away at a con. She had no doubt there was something young and leggy in his bed late the night before, after they'd finished their conversation.

There was a strange look on his face that she couldn't quite read. "Hmm… perhaps," he replied, not giving anything away. Carol assumed it was to spare her feelings. He likely thought she would be upset that he'd been fucking other women in between their encounters.

"It doesn't bother me," she said, feeling like she needed to clear things up. "I'm a realist - you know that."

"Would it bother you if I said I haven't been with anyone but you since our first time?" Daryl asked, before leaning in to kiss her neck.

His mouth on her skin was so damn distracting. Carol had to focus on what he'd just said for a moment before she replied. "It wouldn't bother me, but I'd call you a liar," she said, sighing as his hands trailed up and down her back.

"I would never lie to you," he replied with a stupid grin. She couldn't read the smile and had no idea if it meant he was joking or serious about what he said earlier. "Have you?" he asked.

"Have I what?" she responded. "Have I been with any other guys?" Was he serious? What did it matter if she had? And besides, he already knew the answer because he knew her. "Don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to Pookie," she replied flirtatiously, deciding to tease him. His eyes flashed. It wasn't the response she'd been expecting. Why was he so damn confusing these days? Carol snorted, "You're jealous." She took a step back and crossed her arms.

"I am," he admitted, walking towards her as she backed away. "And… you…" he spoke slowly as she continued to walk backwards. "Love…it…" Daryl said as she bumped into something and realized she was likely trapped. She glanced behind her and saw she was pinned against the dresser. Her heart was pounding in anticipation of his next move. "I want you," he growled attacking her lips. "Been thinking about you all day," Daryl added, as he broke away breathless. "All the things I want to do to you tonight…" He kissed her again and Carol melted against him. Whatever he wanted… she would give it to him.

Or maybe she would just tell him what she wanted. Yes, that was a much better plan because she knew exactly what she wanted in that moment - quick, dirty and hard fucking. She was craving him like a drug and she needed a hit - a fix, immediately. "The things you want to do can wait," she said, meeting his eye with a bold stare. "Right now, you're going to turn me around, bend me over this dresser and fuck me like you mean it." Daryl looked slightly stunned. "Don't make me repeat myself," she added.

He didn't. Daryl spun her and gently bent her over the dresser, just like he was told. Carol felt her skirt pushed up and her panties pulled down. Every second she waited felt like an eternity as he undid his pants and readied himself. Then he was in her and it was everything she needed it to be. He fucked her so hard she had to brace herself, but it wasn't painful, not at all - it was necessary for them both. Carol realized right away how much he'd truly been wanting her. She allowed herself to believe he really hadn't been with anyone else in the time they'd been apart, but only for a moment. Was that the way she wanted it to be? Did it matter to her? Carol wasn't sure, and she was far too preoccupied to think hard about it right then.

She came - far quicker than she normally would, but she wasn't the only one. Daryl was right behind her. It was definitely a quickie for them both. Once again she wondered if he was telling her the truth. Carol knew there wasn't always a specific reason for a man to orgasm quickly, could have been heightened arousal, but often it was because it's been a while… Perhaps missing almost 2 days was long enough to make him… Carol cut off her thoughts. It was stupid to go there. As she gathered herself and put her clothing back in place she decided it didn't matter - at least not for the time being.

When she turned around Daryl was holding her wig in his hand studying it with a strange look. "Let's go out," he said suddenly, with a youthful grin. "With this and your sunglasses… no one would recognize you."

Carol laughed, "I can't wear sunglasses, it's night."

He pulled his out and put them on. "I do it all the time, especially in the clubs with strobes and stuff." Daryl moved the glasses to the top of his head. "Come on, we can just go to a bar, grab a booth and have a few drinks. I'll bring a couple bodyguards. They'll make sure no one gets close to us and keep the photographers as far away as possible."

The thought of them being photographed made her really nervous. But the wig really made her look insanely different. No one knew she was in town. Her close fan followers would assume she was in New York filming like she'd told them on Twitter. And it really would be fun to hit the town incognito… "Okay," she replied. "But, we're not arriving or leaving together. You tell me what bar we're going to and I'll meet you there."

"Ohhhh so I get to hit on you and pick you up?" he looked excited.

"I just might play hard to get Dixon," she flirted back. "Bring your A game."

He laughed. "Be gentle with me. I don't usually have to do much work these days." Carol rolled her eyes at the truth of the statement. He wasn't even being cocky - just honest.

"Bout time you got some practice, don't ya think?" she teased him.

"Oh trust me, you've been giving me practice for years," he sighed. Before she had a chance to let her thoughts linger on that statement he moved on. "Okay, there's a bar two blocks from here called Pints. It's close, but promise you'll take a cab… never know what kind of assholes are on the streets at night." Carol wanted to protest, but he was right and she was a chicken anyway, so she would take the embarrassingly short cab ride and tip the cabby well. "It's a small place and I was told it's never super busy because there's a nightclub on the next block that everyone goes to." Carol nodded indicating she understood the plan. "I'll get my guys and meet you there."

Carol tried to ignore the strange look the cab driver gave her when she told him where she was going. But what did he care anyway? It was money. When he pulled up at the bar in less than a minute Carol handed him a $20 and got out. It was at least a $15 tip, but she didn't care. She touched the hair sitting on her shoulders, fluffing it a bit. If she had long hair this definitely wouldn't have been her style, but then again it would have taken hours of straightening to get rid of her curls for the look she was sporting. She took a deep breath and headed into the bar. Without Daryl by her side she had absolutely no fears of being recognized and honestly, it wasn't likely she would be identified - even with him. But there was still a chance and her tummy fluttered with nerves.

Carol walked in, glanced around and headed for the far end of the bar where no one was sitting anywhere close. Daryl had been correct, the bar was fairly quiet, at least for the time being. She only had to wait about 10 minutes before Daryl arrived. She'd ordered a martini and the bartender brought it as he was making his way in her direction. Carol picked it up and took a sip, pretending she had no idea he was approaching. "This seat taken?" he asked.

"Depends who's asking," she replied sweetly, turning on her stool to look at him. "Hmm, I suppose you can sit," Carol added with a smile. Daryl ordered a beer and the bartender brought it quickly. He took a long haul on the bottle and set it down in front of him. "What's your name, Handsome?" Carol flirted.

He smirked, but replied. "Daryl," he said extending his hand. She placed her hand in his and he brought it to his lips. "And you?"

"Hmm… Let's go with Kelly for now, but if you play your cards right you might get to know the real me later," Carol picked up the stick from her martini and seductively put the olive in her mouth and chewed slowly.

Daryl leaned in, "Thought you were gonna make me work for it?"

"Fuck off," Carol hissed. "I'm apparently easy."

He snickered. "So... Kelly… would you like to join me in that booth at the very back?"

"Daryl… you know what happens in those back booths in dark bars late at night…" She gave him a shocked look at first, then smiled. "Of course I would love to join you, sounds like my kind of place."

By the time they were settled in the booth with their drinks, dinner on the table in front of them, the charade had fallen away. Daryl's guards were sitting close, ready to move in if necessary but so far things had been quiet and Carol's nerves had completely subsided. She was enjoying being out in public with him. Even if she was in disguise she was still Carol and he knew that so it was all that mattered.

After they finished eating and the plates were cleared away they ordered another drink and started chatting again. "So how was the con?" she asked.

"Eh, the usual," he shrugged. "Fun, entertaining… exhausting."

"But you love it," she said with a smile. Cons were terrifying for her, but Daryl was the complete opposite. He flourished interacting with the fans and they ate it up. He wasn't always that way. For a while he actually refused to do them. But as he grew in the business and learned to talk to people he gave it a try and found out he was great at it.

"You know your lines are gonna be as long as mine before too long, right?" he said with a smile.

Carol shook her head, "Never."

"Never say never. People love you - if you'll let them," he added, giving her a strange look that sent shivers down her spine. He was acting weird again and the butterflies in her tummy returned. "You know, I'm not much a fan of the music that's been playing, but… I do like this song. Any chance you'll dance with me?" Carol recognized the song immediately - Take it to the Limit by the Eagles. There was a dance floor with a few couples swaying to the music on the far side of the room. Daryl slid out of the booth and offered her a hand.

"Can we just… dance here?" she asked, not wanting to attract attention by heading to the dance floor, but she did want to dance with him. Carol extended her hand and he helped her to her feet, then pulled her right into his arms.

She melted against his chest and enjoyed the feel of his strong arms holding her as they moved slowly. Carol could honestly say she had never expected to be dancing with Daryl, in a bar in Portland that evening or any evening really. But damn, it felt so good. She was such a private person, but there was something special and a bit exciting about dancing in public, where people could see them.

Daryl was rubbing her lower back, just barely above her ass. As if that wasn't enough to drive her crazy every once in a while he would nuzzle her cheek and it reminded her how close his lips were. God she wanted to kiss him so badly. But she knew they couldn't risk it and she also knew if they kissed it would only leave her wanting even more. When the song ended he pulled back and looked at her. He wanted to kiss her too, it was obvious. Daryl started to inch towards her and she was frozen in place. It was a bad idea but she certainly didn't have the ability to stop him.

Before their lips met she heard a commotion. "I told you I saw him. I told you he was here," a young voice said excitedly. It was followed by a bunch of girly squeals and suddenly a group of young women were yelling at Daryl.

Carol looked in horror as the bar started to fill up - quickly. They had to go. Right away. Daryl knew it. He dug for his wallet and threw a wad of cash on the table as his bodyguards started to control the crowd that had formed. This was just the type of insanity that Carol couldn't deal with. It was terrifying and she felt her anxiety rising. Just as she was about to panic she felt Daryl slip his hand into hers and squeeze. He leaned in and whispered, "I'm so sorry. But it's gonna be fine. I've got you." He knew she was freaking the fuck out and was trying to reassure her.

They started to make their escape, huddled behind the bodyguards as they pushed through the crowd. This is what the woman who steals Daryl's heart has is store for her lifetime, Carol thought, trying to ignore the screaming, camera flashing and the shoving. She felt sorry for that imaginary woman. Who could handle a life where this was the norm?

But even with the fear and anxiety swirling inside her Carol realized that she'd had an amazing time that evening and she wouldn't have missed it - even knowing now how it ended. By that point Daryl was holding her protectively against him, shielding her face from the cameras. She couldn't see where she was going, so she simply clung to him, allowing him to guide her and trusting he would keep her safe. No matter what situation they were in Daryl always made her feel safe and she couldn't think of another person she knew that compared to how she felt with him. When they were finally secure in the back seat of the car with the bodyguards in the front Daryl put his arm around her shoulders and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Carol knew it was an apology and she didn't want him to feel bad at all. "It's okay," she said, leaning against him. "I still had fun… but," she added with a whisper. "You can make it up to me... in the room, if you want..."