I do not own The Walking Dead. I am not associated with it's creator, writers or franchise.

Chapter 20

Carol looked out over Terminus. She had a good view of the little town, the train tracks and surrounding woods. She sighed. It'd been a week since Daryl had opened up to her. True to his word, he hadn't given up on her. Daryl's style reflected who he truly was, which was kind, subtle and thoughtful.

One morning, Carol awoke to find a fresh cup of coffee waiting for her on her desk. Daryl had even added the right amount of sugars. Carol hadn't even known that Daryl knew how she took her coffee. That had really surprised her. She hadn't gotten a chance to thank him, because she hadn't seen him the rest of the day. He'd went on a run with Rick, but that had put a smile on her face for the rest of the day.

...

After watch one drizzly night, Carol had come back to her room to find a warmed set of fluffy blankets on her bed. It had been rainy, damp and cold out, so it was a yet another wonderful expected surprise from him. She'd smiled wondering how he'd managed to do that? As Carol stripped off all her wet clothes and underwear, she wrapped herself up naked in them. She'd fallen asleep after wiggling down into their warmth on the bed. She'd fallen asleep, and her last thought, as she drifted off to sleep, was that she wished Daryl was there to snuggle up behind her...then it would have been perfect.

...

The following day, Carol had come to the decision that she needed to have a talk with HIM. She'd been putting it off and avoiding him. Carol knew what she'd had with HIM wasn't real, but hurting someone's feelings was something she dreaded doing.

She found HIM working on restoring part of the fence that a group of walkers had managed to destroy before they could be put down. Carol saw Rick and Daryl working on the opposite end. Even though she knew they didn't care for HIM, he was still a good contributor to the community.

As soon as Carol got within distance of HIM, she felt Daryl zero in on her. Glancing in Daryl's direction she gave him a small smile. He locked eyes with her that held a look of concern.

Carol stopped in front of HIM. "Hey." Carol said handing him a bottled water. It was a really hot day out in Georgia, and it was only going to get worse.

"Hey." He told her taking the water. HE was shirtless and his body was trim. She remembered how those muscles could move in the most talented ways. She blushed at the memory of her moving against him.

"Care if we talk for a few minutes." Carol told him indicating to the tree that had the shade. He nodded and silently followed. HE took a long swig of water when she turned to face him.

"Look, what was happening with us...well...it isn't happening anymore." Carol told HIM. His grip tightened on the water bottle. Sweat dripped down his face.

"You're just confused Carol. It's been a stressful week for everyone. He reached out and touched her shoulder. She hated that about him. Yes, they had slept together, but whenever HE touched her, she felt owned...she didn't want to feel owned.

Stepping away from HIM, Carol realized she was going to have to be blunt.

"I'm not interested. It was fun...it was great, but long-term...it just doesn't feel right. Look, I'm really sorry." Carol told HIM. She could see the frustration rising in him. She was already sure that he wasn't a man that had been turned down a lot in the past.

Glancing up, then back down at her, HE took an intimidating step towards her. Carol held her ground, but reached behind her back where she kept her knife hidden. She was fully aware that they were being observed by Rick and Daryl. If at any point, she seemed fearful or threatened...they would be over there in seconds. She didn't want that...she wanted to handle this on her own. She was hoping they hadn't noticed her reach for her knife.

"It's Dixon isn't it? You've been fucking him haven't you?" HE stated. Jealousy and envy shown through his eyes.

"No, it's not Dixon, and who I "fuck" isn't any of your business. This only has to do with what's going on between us." Carol told him angrily. She could feel the topic of conversation beginning to escalate. She hated this...she felt like she was back with Ed, and that shook her more than she wanted to admit to herself.

"Yeah, right. I've seen the way he watches you, and the way you look at him. What? Do you think he's suddenly going to just change. The only reason Dixon wants you now is because your me." HE told her...reaching out and gripping her arm tightly. Carol stood there shocked at his boldness.

"First you should know that I'm not "yours"...we fucked a few times and that was it. Second, and most importantly...if you don't let go of my arm Daryl and Rick will be on top of you within...".

Carol didn't get a chance to finish her sentence. An arrow zoomed past her right side, and grazed HIS arm before thudding into the tree behind them. HE instantly released Carol's arm.

"What the fuck?" HE asked as he looked up. Then his eyes widened a little bit. Without looking behind her, Carol knew the thunderstorm named Daryl Dixon was heading this way. Probably, with Rick behind him.

Daryl stepped in front of Carol, effectively blocking her view of HIM. Rick came to stand next to her. Rick looked over and gave her a small smile.

"What did I tell you motherfucker? Touch her again and I'd fuckin' kill ya." Daryl said threateningly. Daryl was tensed and ready to strike.

"Man, we were having a private conversation." HE told Daryl. Though HE did seem a little shaken.

"Your private conversation privileges with Carol ended the moment you grabbed her arm. I should have aimed for your head. Lucky, fuckin' Rick was here to save your sorry ass." Daryl said through gritted teeth.

Carol reached forward and gently touched Daryl's arm.

"I'm okay Daryl. HE and I have nothing left to discuss." Carol told him. Her touch reminding him that she was okay and he didn't have to go crazy.

"Hey Daryl, can you help Carol out with that medical inventory, while I have a little chat with HIM." Rick asked Daryl. Rick was obviously trying to separate Daryl and HIM.

Daryl gently put his arm around Carol's shoulders. It made her feel safe and she relaxed into it a bit more. It wasn't something he'd ever really done before, but it still felt so natural to her. Like it was meant to be...

After they were a distance away, Daryl turned to her and asked, "Are you okay? Let me see your arm."

"I'm fine Daryl...really." Carol told him.

Daryl looked at her upper arm and he could see the outline of each finger HE'd used to hold her.

Carol watched him as his eyes clouded over with anger.

Daryl's rough hands gently examined the bruise that was beginning to appear.

"I swear to god, I'm going to kill HIM." Daryl mumbled.

"It's okay. I took care of it Daryl." Carol told as chills ran up and down her arm from his touch.

"So...you guys aren't a "thing" anymore?" Daryl asked keeping his eyes on her arms. Though his voice had a hint of hope in it.

"I don't think HE and I were ever really a thing Daryl, but I think HE thought so...so I cleared it up for him." She told him with a gentle smile. Daryl just looked up at her and nodded his head. Though she did see a sparkle in them.

...

Later that evening, after she'd finished showering, she came back to her room, and found a cup that held a single Cherokee rose in it. That had made her heart stop. It brought the past storming to the front of her mind.

Yes, Carol was sad and missed her daughter tremendously. However, now when she looked back at that time, she also saw a miracle that had occurred. Daryl Dixon. While touching the white petals, she remembered him, how hard he had been back at the quarry and at the farm. She'd seen behind those untrusting eyes and angry words that came spewing from his mouth.

Daryl was kind, yet had never been shown kindness. That's why Daryl pushed people away. Why Daryl had pushed Carol away. In not finding Sophia, Daryl had felt himself fail. Something he would have been punished for in the past by his brother or father. Carol had sought him out, embraced him, and refused to let him punish himself. She gave him a forgiveness he had never known or expected. Carol fell in love with that damaged man. She saw in him herself. Daryl needed a tender and patient touch. She'd thought if she'd given him enough time he would love her back, but after Beth...she'd been shattered. Now, she was losing the battle to hold her feeling at bay.

...

A few days later, Carol had made a decision. It was evening, and she had just gotten done with her shower. Throwing on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt, Carol grabbed a pack of playing cards and a bottle of wine she'd been saving. Without second guessing herself, she walked down the hall and up to Daryl's closed door. She knew he didn't have watch tonight, so she knew he was there. Carol hesitated for just a second before she quietly knocked on the door.

Carol stood there fidgeting, then the door swung open. Looking into Daryl's blue eyes, Carol knew there was no longer fighting her love for him. Daryl smiled at her, and she smiled back. Stepping aside, he let her into his room.

To be continued...

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