I do not own The Walking Dead. I am not associated with the creator, writers, actors or franchise.

Chapter 18

Daryl watched the door shut at the top of the stairs. Panic went through him. His mind picturing Ben hurting Carol. Touching Carol. Daryl clenched his teeth. Then he heard a few muted bangs and noises from upstairs. It sounded like a struggle, and Daryl started working on the ropes they'd used to tie up his hands. The two men who were watching over them started whispering to each other. When another noise came from upstairs, they smiled and laughed to each other. Daryl narrowed his eyes, already knowing that these sick bastards got off on the pain of others.

Daryl continued working on the rope that tied up his hands. He had to get out, but he had to keep a level head. Something that the Dixon blood often prevented because it ran hot and fiery. Merle was a great example.

Daryl looked over at Jason and Austin. They just sat there, basically shaking in their shoes. When Daryl got out of there, he was going to make sure these guys were never going to be put in a position...where others lives depended on them. They'd go to fuckin' walker burning duty forever, if he had a say in it.

Carol had been up there with Ben for about ten minutes. He was angry with her. Why had given into Ben in for him? He wasn't worth anything. Hell, he'd been the one to disappoint her and hurt her. Yeah, they were getting better, but that shit with Beth and Rick. That shit had really fucked up things between him and Carol. Obviously, not so bad that she'd given herself up for his life.

One of the reasons he'd held back from Carol for so long, was that he never felt truly worthy of her. Now, Daryl wanted to be that "man of honor" that she'd always believed he was...she'd believed in him even before Rick or anyone else. It was true, Carol had liked him first. He'd be damned, if he just stood by and let her sacrifice herself for him. When they got out of there...Daryl Dixon was going to have a nice long talk with Carol Peletier.

Daryl continued to silently struggle against the ropes. The ropes suddenly came loose, and Daryl felt adrenaline pump through him even faster. He had to force himself to not instantly move. He had to be smart about this, he had one shot...

Suddenly, a green can came soaring through the front door of the hardware store. It started pouring out smoke. In minutes, it became hard to see. Without caring who had sent it through, Daryl realized that this was his chance. Daryl took off to the stairs taking them two by two.

That's when he heard Rick's voice. Somewhere it registered, but he didn't stop. He heard gunshots and ducked down in reaction, though he had no idea who was shooting at who. He had one focus and one focus only. Carol.

When he opened the door to the upstairs, Daryl didn't see Carol anywhere. Looking down and over to the side, Daryl saw the body of Ben laying there. Carol had slit his throat from one earlobe to the next. He was definitely dead. Looking over to the window, he saw that it was open. She must have escaped out the window. Running to the edge he didn't see Carol. Heading back out the door, he saw Rick heading towards him while the others started doing a check of the warehouse.

Earl and the other guy were being tied up. Jason and Austin were talking to Michonne, but they kept glancing over at Daryl.

"Hey man, you seen Carol?" Daryl said glancing around Rick desperately seeking her out.

"She's over there. Carol's the reason we came in the way we did. Told us about those guys." Rick told him. Rick clasped him on the shoulder.

Daryl looked over to where Rick pointed. He could see that she was speaking to HIM in a corner. The conversation seemed animated, then Daryl saw Carol try to walk away, but HE grabbed her hand pulling her back.

The adrenaline from earlier, was still coursing through Daryl. He didn't remember how he got there, but he was suddenly in front of Carol pushing HIM away from her.

"Back off." Daryl told HIM.

"You back off. I was just talking to her. You don't own her Dixon." HE told him.

Carol immediately stepped in between them. Where she held a hand up to HIM. Carol gently put the palm of her hand against Daryl's chest.

Rick was suddenly there.

"Calm down brother." Rick told him. Rick already knew that Daryl was primed for a fight. He was in his protective mode. Carol may not have realized it, but as far as Daryl was concerned...she was his and he didn't want another man touching his woman. Especially, after almost losing her.

Daryl stood there letting Carol's touch sooth him. Daryl's heartbeat started to calm. He looked into Carol's eyes.

"Come on. These two need to talk." Rick told HIM. He slowly followed Rick, but kept glancing back at Carol. Everytime HE did, Daryl growled slightly in the back of his throat.

"What the hell happened up there?" Daryl asked Carol once they were out of their sight.

"I did what I had to do." Carol told him. She was proud of herself for fighting back, and not letting that asshole get what he wanted from her.

Daryl stood there for a moment. A flurry of emotions crossing his face. Carol wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Did he...?" Daryl started to ask. There was a tinge of fear there.

"No, he didn't even get to touch me Daryl." Carol told him. She gave him a slight smile knowing how concerned he was for her.

Daryl sighed with relief. He was proud of her. She was truly a warrior and fighter in every sense of the word.

Daryl instinctively reached out and pulled Carol into his arms. At first, she seemed shocked by it making her tense. After a few seconds, she relaxed into it...letting her arms go around his waist. They stood there for a few moments, enjoying each other...then leaning back Daryl looked Carol straight in the eye...

"We need to talk about us." He told her. Carol felt her world was about to change.

To be continued...