AN: hey one chapter left for this one. Please let me know what you think?:)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 7

By my side

In the dark of night

INXS~ By my side

Daryl paced his room like a caged animal. Three weeks had passed, since the day of Carol's concussion. He hadn't kissed her again, they hadn't had the "talk" that was pending between them. Where before his nerves had held him back, now her health was what was stopping him, but she'd slyly mentioned tonight at supper that Dr.S, had given her a clear bill of health to resume all activities. She'd added with a wink "or maybe start some new ones".

The night they had been interrupted during their first kiss, Dr.S. Had examined Carol and felt that she had a severe concussion. Upon hearing she'd had numerous concussions during her marriage to Ed he surmised that was the reason for her seizure. He'd been very clear, any more concussions could be very dangerous for Carol, she would have to be more careful, especially in the coming weeks. Daryl had spoken up for her saying there would be no more concussion even if they had to force her to wear a helmet and glue rubber mats down on all the hard surfaces. She'd attempted to playfully swat at him but had stopped whimpering in pain. The sound had broken his heart. Dr.S had continued on saying that the symptoms from the concussion would probably be the worst she'd ever experienced, headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sound and movement, fatigue, poor balance or even worse, more seizures.

Shortly after Dr.S. Had left with Hershel and Glenn Rick had paused at a very drowsy Carol thanking her, she'd smiled in response. By the time Rick had walked out the door she'd been fast asleep. He'd watched her for a long time, marvelling at his second chance yet again. It wouldn't be wasted, but he intended to wait until the time was right before taking things to the next level, there was no rush now, he knew how she felt, he'd seen it. He wanted her but he loved her enough to wait until she was physically ready.

He'd pulled the mattress down from the top bunk and slept beside her on the floor.

The next day he had cleaned out an office in the cell block that had a door, leaving only one small bookshelf. The office was large had a small bathroom attached. He'd gone on a run and found a double bed, linens and curtains to darken the room during the day. That night he'd picked her up bridal style carrying her down to the room. She'd looked about the room in shock eyes glassy with tears

"Just figured you needed somewhere quiet and dark to hide away in, if your head starts to hurt or something" he'd said shyly .

"Thank you" settling herself on the bed she turned to look at him "Stay?"

He nodded, kicking off his boots and socks, slipping the belt out of his jeans, and with no hesitation drew his shirt over his shirt over his head. When she settled on her side he'd gotten under the covers behind her wrapping his arms around her middle. "Okay?" He asked and she'd nodded with a sigh snuggling back into him, quickly falling asleep.

He'd spent every night since then with her but nothing had happened past holding her in her sleep. He steadfastly refused to even discuss the change in their relationship until she was given the all clear. Annoyed, Carol had brought it up a week ago while lying in his arms, her head resting on his chest but he'd stopped her saying

"When we start this thing we have, won't be no stopping me or holding me back, when you're healed we'll talk." She'd playfully pouted a little but hadn't brought it up since.

She was getting better, everyday he noticed an improvement. The first few days he'd been scared, thinking Dr. S had been wrong, she'd slept so much, one day for 18 hours straight, but Dr.S had reassured him that it was okay. She'd awoken a few nights in blinding pain from headaches, unsure what to do he'd started stroking her neck softly while whispering to her, and she would settle and drift off back to sleep. When the time came for her to start moving around, he was nervous. Her balance was definitely off. The night she'd said she was showering and that was final he'd envisioned all the different ways she could fall. He'd wanted to be in the shower with her but she responded with a grin that unless he was getting naked too he wasn't getting an early show.

Compromising he'd brought a chair in for her to sit on in the shower, and he waited outside the curtain, his mind envisioning what he must be missing on the other side of the curtain.

When she'd started to move about the prison he'd envisioned, trip hazards everywhere, he gave serious thought to finding her a helmet but when he'd mentioned it to her casually he'd been met with a resounding no. He didn't see what the big fucking deal would be.

They'd decided by unspoken agreement that they would stay in the office permanently. Glenn and Maggie had found an office and set it up as a bedroom as well. Rick had plans to do the same for a room for himself and Judith.

They spent the nights wrapped in each other's arms but it was becoming more and more difficult to keep his hands in neutral places. Just that morning he'd almost broken the promise he'd made to himself. They'd awoken on their sides facing one another, he'd reached for her on instinct pulling her into him. Rolling her on to her back he'd grabbed her leg and slung it around his waist before stopping and burying his face in her neck with a groan.

"Gotta stop...your head" he mumbled dejectedly.

"That does it I'm having a chat with Dr.S, today" Carol responded firmly.

When she passed her cheeky message on to him at dinner Daryl had immediately checked the clock,

Wondering how early they could realistically turn in without raising eyebrows. He decided to pack up the rest of his cell while he was waiting, she'd gone to the office to read before bed.

He wanted tonight to be perfect, he wanted to say the right thing, do the right thing, be everything she wanted. His nerves were jittering only because he was scared of screwing things up. He had no doubts, this was real...this was meant to happen. He wanted this so bad, he wanted it to be perfect, for her.

Gathering the last of his belongings, he'd made his way down the hall to their room.