Daryl kept watch outside of Carol's small cell, preventing anyone from disturbing her as she slumbered. He stopped Jeanne from entering when she came along to see why Carol hadn't turned up to help in the kitchen like she had promised.

"Daryl, come on let me in. Carol promised to lend me a hand tonight so that Karen can go out walkin' with Tyreese."

"You ain't goin' in there. She's sleepin'." Daryl crossed his wiry arms over his chest and planted his feet firmly in position to prevent Jeanne from brushing past him. "Now be quiet 'fore you wake her."

"But Daryl…!" Jeanne protested, she hadn't a clue how to go about preparing a meal for the whole group and had been relying on Carol's knowledge to get by.

"Don't you 'But Daryl' me! Y'all need to try and get along without her for one night. She's just come off a double watch shift and she needs to rest up. Git along to the kitchen and mind you don't come back again unless it's to send back a plate of food for her." Daryl pushed Jeanne out along the corridor and resumed his post, only now he was sprawled out across the floor of the entryway; tiredness seeping into his bones but determined not to give in…

He must have nodded off as he jerked upright when he heard a low groan from within the cell.

"Carol? You alright in there? It's me, Daryl and I'm comin' in." Daryl pushed the blanket aside and stepped through to see a very cranky Carol pushing herself upright on the bed and rubbing her forehead.

"Daryl, when did you get back? I was supposed to be giving Jeanne a hand with dinner…" She rested her aching head against her palm and muttered wearily – "I'm getting too old for all of this crap…"

"Hey, don't talk like that!" Daryl sat down next to her on the cot and saw that she was near to tears. He gently rubbed circles into the small of her back, trying to offer a little comfort. "You've only got a few years up on me."

"Yeah, but today I'm feeling every one of them. I've got such a headache and I'm just soooo tired." Carol slumped against Daryl's shoulder and felt his arm wrap around her fully, she gave him her full body weight and to be honest he barely felt it.

"You bin eatin' right woman? Feels like you've lost a little weight." Daryl pressed her head fully against his shoulder, enjoying the feel of her pressed against him.

"Not had much of an appetite over the last few days, too tired to eat really. Besides the kids needed it more than I did." Carol muttered crankily, not feeling at all like herself.

"Mmmm, we'll soon see about that." Daryl retorted darkly, she needed to eat to stay strong and healthy, God knows there was little to go around lately but there was enough for everyone to have at least one full meal a day, more when they had fresh meat. "Come on, Carol. It's a little cooler outside now, let's go for a little walk to try and clear your head. You might have more of an appetite when you've had a bit of fresh air." Daryl nudged her head off his shoulder and pulled her to her feet, chuckling a little at her disgruntled expression.

"You just wait Daryl Dixon until you're asleep in your cot. One night, I'm gonna come in and drag you out of bed just see if I don't!

"Promises, promises!"

"Are you flirtin' with me Mr. Dixon?" Carol asked suspiciously, what had brought about this sudden change of character? Daryl usually resisted all attempts at light hearted banter and shrugged it off with his usual scowl. This time however, it seemed as though the tables had turned and Carol wasn't entirely sure what to make of it.

"Might be, do ya mind?" He turned his head to look at her from under his messy hair, eyes twinkling but still feeling a little wary. Carol attempted a weak grin and pushed his fallen hair back so that it didn't hide his beautiful blue eyes.

"Might, might not. Ask me again when I'm feeling a little more with it."

"I'll hold you to that. Come on let's go for a little walk, see whether it makes you feel better." Daryl wrapped his arm around her waist and led her down the steps into the main cell block. He waved aside everyone that they passed, including a puzzled looking Rick who had been on his way up with Judith.

"Sorry, Rick but Carol's not up to babysitting just now. I'm taking her outside for a little fresh air. You'll just have to take Ass Kicker along with you or find someone else to watch her."

"It's gonna kick up a storm soon, don't be out there too long." Hershel warned as Daryl led Carol through the kitchen. "I can feel it in my leg, wouldn't be surprised if we had some heavy rain tonight."

"Is that in the leg that you do have or the one that you don't?" Daryl could hear Glenn ask from behind him and then the resounding slap of Maggie's hand against the side of his head.

"That boy's gotta learn when to shut his face…." Daryl commented as he and Carol slowly walked past the yard and out into the green area. He'd been right in the fact that it had cooled off a lot since Carol finished her watch, so much so that she shivered a little in the cool air. Daryl noticed and shrugged out of his flannel overcoat to wrap it around her shoulders. Carol snuggled into the overcoat still warm from his body and rubbed her nose against the collar to breathe in his scent.

"I love the smell on your clothes when you've returned back from hunting."

"You sayin' I stink or somethin'?" Daryl turned to half face her, Carol had her eyes closed and so missed his smiling expression.

"No! I just meant that it smells fresh and outdoorsy…" Carol started to explain and then snapped her eyes open when she heard him snort a chuckle and saw him wink back at her. "Oh, you….I told you already, no flirting until I feel well enough to retaliate."

"Okay, how about we walk just a little ways further and just enjoy the company?" Daryl nudged her shoulder playfully and saw Carol wince a little as the motion made her head ache even more. "What if we just went back inside and sit quietly together for a little while?" He offered gently and felt oddly humbled when Carol slipped her hand under his to take hold of his hand, keeping it down and out of sight of anyone that might be watching.

"I think I'd like that a lot." They turned to slowly walk back into the prison yard, just as they got to the kitchen door Carol swayed on her feet and Daryl quickly placed a hand out to steady her. "Whoa…don't want you falling over now…Carol….Carol!" Daryl watched as the colour drained out of her face and he only just managed to catch her before she slumped to the floor in a dead faint. "Hershel! Rick! Someone git out here now…..!"