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Chapter 13

Tyreese POV

Tyreese had watched as Daryl had gotten up and followed Carol. He knew where she was heading, and that it allowed for a lot of privacy. Part of him wanted to follow them. That little part of him that had fallen in love with Carol, but he knew his place when it came to Daryl. As soon as Dixon reappeared in their lives, he knew he wouldn't stand a chance. At least, not if the hunter finally got the courage up and faced his feelings for her.

Tyreese missed Karen. He'd been infatuated more than anything with her, but still there was a hole where she had been. Carol was one of those women who touched your soul. Who made the world a little brighter. If Tyreese couldn't have her as a mate, then he would joyfully embrace her as a friend. Dixon was damn lucky.

After a bit, Tyreese got up and went over to Michonne.

"Seems like your watch isn't much of a watch." Tyreese told her.

She smiled and nodded.

"Those two have danced around each other since I've known them. Hopefully, Dixon man's up tonight." Michonne told him.

Tyreese looked at his feet. Michonne noticed his look of displeasure at that comment.

"Don't tell me you were falling for her? Dixon and Carol have a rare connection. Best friends, confidants, protective of one another. They'd do just about anything for each other. Only problem I've ever seen is Dixon's fear of taking it to the next level." Michonne told him.

"Guess I forgot that while Carol and I were together. Didn't think anyone was alive. Changes things." Tyreese told her.

"Yes it does." Michonne told him. "You should have seen me before I found Rick and Carl after the Governor." She stared out into the night remembering...

"What do you mean?" Tyreese asked curiously.

"I saw foot prints from the group, survivors, but ignored them. When I thought everyone was dead...it hurt bad. Decided not to risk that pain again." Michonne told him as she sharpened her samurai sword.

"What made you go back, track them?" Tyreese asked her.

"Got a glimpse of who I'd become if I didn't. Might as well be dead if you stop finding something, or someone to fight for in this world." Michonne told him.

"Yeah, guess so." Tyreese said. His eyes a little misty. "I lost my sister and Karen. Didn't have much to fight for until the girls, Judith and Carol."

Michonne looked at him strange. "Even after Carol killed Karen?"

Tyreese was thrown off. He'd forgotten that no one knew the truth. That Lizzie had been the one who had killed Karen and David. Carol took the blame, because she didn't trust Rick to handle the situation. Not after he just left her...a woman alone in this primitive world. Yeah, she could survive, she was capable, but alone? Everyone's luck ran out eventually.

"Well, sometimes things happen for a reason." Tyreese answered. Not making eye-contact. He was a horrible liar.

"For a reason?...that seems a little cold-hearted Tyreese." Michonne told him eyeing him. "There's something you aren't telling me?" She gave him a hard look. Trying to figure it out.

"Not really. Just the way our lives are now." Tyreese said. He stood up to go back to his space by the fire. The conversation was making him uncomfortable.

Alternating Carol and Daryl POV

Carol and Daryl sat on edge of the rocks as they pulled their clothes on. Daryl watched her as she slid her top over her head. The edges of his mouth curving up into a small smile. This feeling he was having was something he'd never experienced in his life. Loving and being loved back. Feeling secure and safe with someone who cared for you. It figured it took the dead walking the earth before he would find it. Part of him, as demented as it seemed, was glad...it meant he had Carol.

Carol looked over at Daryl. He pulled his sleeveless shirt on. She loved his arms, and remembered how it felt to be held in them. They finished getting dressed in silence. When they were done, Carol walked over to Daryl, and put her hand against his cheek. She loved the feel of his scruff against her skin.

"I need to tell you something Daryl. I want no secrets between us." Carol told him.

Daryl looked at her with worried eyes.

"Why didn't you ever ask me why I killed Karen and David?" Carol asked as she stepped away from him and organized her pack.

Daryl thought for a second. Truth was, since he'd found her, it hadn't crossed his mind. Was that heartless of him? Since, she didn't want any secrets between them, he figured he should tell her the truth.

"I don't care if you did it." Daryl said without hesitation. Now that he embraced his feelings for Carol, he recognized that his love for her was unconditional.

Carol looked at him. He could tell she was confused by his answer.

"You don't care?" Carol asked. "You don't care that I killed two people?"

"It's not that I don't care. It's just...I know if ya' did it, there was a good reason. You wouldn't just kill someone for nothin'." Daryl told her gently taking her hand. "I trust you Carol. I know you." Daryl told her. He no longer pulled away from her physical touch, and found that now it was hard for him to keep his hands off of her. He had a lot of missed opportunities and lost time to make up for...

Carol looked at him for a moment, and then put her arms around him. It was nice being with this Daryl. Affectionate and open Daryl. The Daryl she dreamt of at night. She felt so safe with him. Now that they were together she felt even safer. Daryl held her heart in his hands and yet she wasn't fearful.

Softly Carol whispered, "I didn't kill them."

Daryl sighed. Somehow he'd known what Rick had told him wasn't right. It'd felt wrong from the beginning.

Carol looked up at him. Her eyes showing the weight of what she was about to tell him.

"I found Lizzie right after she'd done it. I burned the bodies to kill the virus. When I was getting ready to tell you guys...Tyreese went crazy, Rick lost it, and I panicked. I was afraid for Lizzie." She told him. For how much she had changed, and how much stronger she had become...being in Daryl's arms allowed her to show her fears, and give voice to them safely and without fear of judgement. Daryl was her safe space.

Carol had protected a child. Daryl should have known. He hugged her tighter. He loved her more.

"So, does Tyreese know?" Daryl asked. He figured he did.

"Yes. I told him as soon as I figured out he wouldn't be a danger to Lizzie." Carol told him. "When Rick banished me, I didn't know who he was, he had his hand on his gun, and he scared me. It made me scared for Lizzie. So, I kept my mouth shut and figured I would find my way back to you." Carol told him. "I was going to find you, but then the Governor happened..."

Daryl looked at the woman in front of him. This fighter, this warrior, she was stunning in her strength. She had changed since the quarry. No longer timid or indecisive. He'd seen it over the last few months at the prison.

"Are...are you going to go with Rick? I mean...I understand...he's your brother in so many..." Carol began, but was interrupted with Daryl's lips touching hers gently.

"Rick has a lot to account for, and if he doesn't...then...he isn't the brother I know..." Daryl told her. How could explain that even though he was pissed at Rick for banishing her...It was Rick's pompous attitude and hypocrisy, that changed him from someone who Daryl had respected and cared for, to a man who would leave a woman on the side of the road in this dangerous world. Not just any woman...Carol...HIS Carol.

"I will never leave you Carol." Daryl told her. She smiled up at him. She'd somehow known it, but had wanted to hear the words.

"Come on...let's grab some sleep before morning." Carol told him. Grabbing his hand, she lead Daryl back to the camp.

To be continued...