I don't own any part of The Walking Dead. I am not associated with the creator or franchise in anyway. I do not profit from this in anyway. It is just done for fun.

Chapter 11

Carol POV

Daryl, Carol and Tyreese met back up with Michonne further down the path. Carol led them to a place close by that Tyreese and her had found when they originally arrived in this area. There was a creek that eventually created a pool. The water was clear and clean. Michonne and Carol went to fill their water bottles while Daryl made a fire.

The four of them sat around it for a while. Each person deep in their own thoughts. Carol sat next to Tyreese. Michonne and Daryl sat a little further away. Carol rummaged around in her satchel and pulled out 4 granola bars.

"Sorry it isn't much." Carol told them as she handed them out. When she handed one to Daryl, she felt his fingers brush hers, which sent tingles through her hand.

"More than enough." Daryl growled and looked at her from underneath his long bangs.

No one had really spoken. They were all tired and exhausted. It was comfortable. They were relaxing back into the feelings of being with one another again.

Carol hadn't had a chance to speak privately to Daryl. She wasn't sure what she would say, what Daryl would say to her, or if he would say anything at all. Carol just wasn't sure she could handle Daryl being disappointed in her. She could barely look him in the eye in fear of seeing judgement instead of the warmth of friendship that had always been there.

Just then, Tyreese took a second to lean over and bring her into a bear hug. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "I want you to know. No matter what happens with Rick, you won't be alone." Then he released her. Carol smiled at him. He'd become such a good friend. Carol cared for him deeply. She loved how Tyreese was loyal and compassionate. What she loved most was his ability to express his emotions. Seemed he was always hugging her, patting her hand...It was a nice change from having someone constantly avoiding touching you, and flinching away if you accidentally did.

She glanced over and saw Daryl drawing in the dirt with his knife, and then occasionally jabbing it into the dirt. The light of the fire showed how toned his arms were. At each stab to the ground, his muscle would shake, and it's strength was highlighted by the sheen of sweat on his body. She turned her attention to the fire, and focused on the morning plans.

The plan was to make it back to Rick, Carl, and the girls, the next morning. So, they were going to get up before sunrise and start the trek. It would take a little awhile to get to where Tyreese had left them, but they should be there sometime in the morning. Plus, they were sure Rick was holding out a little bit hoping they would catch up.

"I'll take first watch." Michonne told them. No one protested. Michonne took a place where her back was protected, yet she had a view of the area around her friends. Carol, Daryl, and Tyreese laid close to the fire for warmth. From the place where Carol was sleeping, slightly across from the fire, she could see Daryl with his pack under his head, arms crossed and eyes shut. She knew his bow and knife were next to him without seeing actually seeing it.

Carol was laying on her side looking at Daryl...really looked at him. Daryl looked rougher, and harder than he had been the last time she saw him. She wondered what he'd been through. Her heart hurt thinking of what it had been like...him being back around men who were like his brother. She hoped it hadn't completely undone how far he had come...Daryl had become 'the man of honor' she had said she wanted after the farm. She looked at his face and her eyes fell on his lips. Carol easily remembered how Daryl's lips felt against hers, his tongue exploring her mouth and neck...though they were both clothed, she remembered how he had been grinding his hardened dick against her center. She felt her body flush at the memory. Her heartbeat sped up.

She continued looking at him, she found herself getting more and more aroused. 'Get it together Carol!' She thought to herself. She needed a little space. So, she quietly slipped away from the fire, waved over at Michonne, and made her way to the creek. They'd cleared it out earlier and it was safe. Leaning down dipped her hands into the chilly water. She felt dirty. After Joe had touched her, and she had touched him...the blood still covered her from killing those men. She started untying her boots. She loved these boots, she felt they reflected who she was now. A fighter and survivor.

Daryl had brought them back to her from a run before her exile. She took off her belt, and pulled the hidden knife from it. Carol placed it next to the waters edge so she could grab it easily. Then she placed the little bottle of shampoo she'd brought along next to it. She pulled off her socks, then tank top, pants, bra then panties. She stood there for a moment letting the breeze caress her body, then slowly she lowered her self into to pool. She was expecting it to be ice-cold, but it wasn't too bad. She sat there and relaxed a few minutes.

The stress of the last day, the fear, the fight hit her all at once. Yes, she had made it through, but she was exhausted. Now, in a few hours she would have to face Rick. Rick's judgement hanging over her head. He would take Judith away from her. She loved that little girl, but wouldn't steal her from Rick and Carl. Even though, Rick thought she was heartless, she would never hurt him like that...she would never take a child from a parent. She knew personally how much not having your child with you hurts.

She pulled her knees up to her chin on the shallow part of the pool. Then she cried. Letting the pain of being rejected, her exile, her family being threatened by Daryl's group, knowing she was going to die, almost being raped, and finding Daryl. She cried. She tried to cry quietly, which made her body shake even more. She'd gasp for air and sob. Her body and soul were releasing the pain she'd been holding in...she released the fear she'd been living with since her exile. This was a side she no longer showed anyone.

Carol was done with people seeing her are helpless and weak. She was done with them underestimating her. She was a warrior and strong, but everyone needs to let their emotions out. She wished she could go to Daryl and have him hold her, comfort her, and tell her nothing had changed. But she knew that would never happen, and things had changed.

Eventually, her crying stopped. Carol sighed and leaned back. She felt a little more relaxed now that she had released those pent-up feelings.

A few minutes passed. Then she heard him.

"So, are you in love with him?" he asked.

Spinning around, and crossing her arms over her chest, she looked into Daryl Dixon's eyes...Carol saw a fire in his eyes, and he did not look happy.

To be continued...