This started out as a role play between myself (gunslingerdixon) and my Carol rp partner untapdtreasure (nolongeraxburden), and it was mutually decided upon to share with the rest of FF as a fanfiction. So here it is! Enjoy!

If y'all are interested in following us just go to: nolongeraxburden. tumblr .com or gunslingerdixon. tumblr .com

Also: we own nothing in regards to The Walking Dead. All rights belong to the copyright holder.

Daryl:

At the mention of some meager means of food, Daryl absently dipped his hand into the backpack and found a wrapped granola bar. He didn't care that the expiration date was visible to his eye— a year at most. It wasn't the worst he had had in recent memory. Food was food and he couldn't be picky. Not when most food was scarce save for the occasional deer or squirrel he would chance upon and even thatwas becoming increasingly hard to find.

He tore the wrapper open with his teeth and spat out the bit that he'd removed. Methodically chewing and swallowing bite for bite of the granola bar, Daryl tried to construct his plan so it didn't sound as brash and nonchalant as he knew it would come out to be. It was the only way he saw fit for working and getting them both out— alive. Not after everything they had gone through the night before… He wouldn't let this all go to waste. Dixons didn't give up and he wasn't no quitter.

She was talking again. He wasn't really listening. He really did enjoy listening to Carol, but at the moment his mind was elsewhere. He was thinking of the reactions of the people when he brought back Carol to the prison and then whether or not this was his decision that he was forcing upon her. Carol had seemed adamant on acquiescing to Rick's wishes and for a brief pause Daryl had to take a step back and assess the situation. It had been a long and trying night for the both of them. Perhaps they'd discuss more of whatever this was when they gathered a bit more gas on their way back.

Daryl was still devising a plan in his head when he was interrupted by the warmth of her hand at his arm. Immediately he jumped back not fully anticipating the gesture at that moment. He angled his head to look at her when she let it linger longer and his brow furrowed slightly at her words. Chewing carefully, Daryl assessed what she was doing and swallowed slowly.

"Don't go givin' me yer good-byes. We ain't dead yet," he replied balling the wrapper up into his fist and stuffing it into his pant pocket, "'sides, what makes ya think they ain't gon' listen? That's why he have a damned council in the firs' place."

Pulling himself out of contact, Daryl placed a hand to the small of her back and led her to the wall that the stalls ran along and pointed up. "See that there?" He drawled indicating that he wanted her to listen up and pay attention. "I'm gon' shimmy over that wall take out what walkers are on the other side. You can peek over, be my eyes if ya have ta."

Dropping his hand back to his side, Daryl worked his jaw meeting her eyes for a brief moment before slinging his crossbow over his shoulder and ducking around the corner. Nudging the door open, he carefully stepped up onto the toilet seat and used the stall walls for leverage as he scrambled up. When he was up and on the lip of the wall, Daryl glanced back to look at Carol.

"No good-byes," he growled arching a brow at her, "Stay safe."

Carol:

Carol couldn't bring herself to drop her hand, so she was grateful that he had severed the contact. The lines were only blurring more, and she had to get a handle on herself now and get her head back in the game. Their very lives depended on the both of them escaping that bathroom alive. She wiggled her fingers a bit and then wiped them on her jeans. She met his eyes.

"Not goodbyes," she softly informed him. "Gratitude." She was the one to jump when his fingers landed on the small of her back, guiding her to the wall. When he pointed up and told her of his plan, she nodded. She moved to follow him when he headed into the stall and moved herself into the second stall and stood up on the back of the commode.

She was only barely tall enough to see over. It was even messier on the other side than it was in this one. "You planning to sneak up on them? Outside I mean. You sure an extra pair of hands won't be better than a pair of eyes?"

She could see him and he was already most of the way over the wall. Her heart was in her throat and she had to swallow hard. "Nine lives," she barely echoed back to him. And she was what? Working on her seventh or eighth life already now? Her heart hammered. "Daryl, I, uh…" She wouldn't say it. She couldn't. Not now.

When things were better, when they were safe. She gave him a nod. "Be careful out there." Please? She added silently, watching him disappear over the wall the rest of the way.

Please review and let us know what you thought! Cheers!

*Note: This is also not 100% written by myself. I owe a lot of credit to my wonderful partner as she is Carol and does a phenomenal job. Send her some love too at untapdtreasure here at FF!