When Daryl returned from outside, satisfied they would be alerted to any people or walkers who tried to approach, he came back in and barred the door from the inside. "No one's getting in," he said confidently.

She nodded, "Good. Let's finish exploring." They wandered around the funeral home, finding the kitchen. "You find anything?" Carol asked as he opened a cupboard.

"Woah, peanut butter and jelly, diet soda and pig's feet. That's a white trash brunch right there," Daryl joked.

"Pigs feet? Are you serious?" Carol hobbled over and went to reach for the jar.

"No. Hold up," Daryl stopped her. "Ain't a speck of dust on this."

"Hmm, you're right," Carol pouted. "Someone must have just put it here."

"Must be someone's stash," Daryl agreed.

"Even more reason for us to get out of here," Carol muttered. "But how about we just take a few things and leave the rest?" she suggested.

Daryl nodded and reached for a jar of peanut butter, opening it quickly and dipping his fingers in for a huge scoop. He transferred the peanut butter to his mouth and Carol felt her stomach growl, "Oh my God that looks so good."

Without thinking Daryl scooped out more and offered it to her, "want some?" Carol only hesitated for a second before taking his fingers into her mouth and sucking off the creamy peanut butter. She closed her eyes groaned, with his fingers still in her mouth, not wanting to leave a speck.

When Carol finally released his hand and opened her eyes Daryl was blushing furiously. She wasn't about to let him get all awkward so Carol dipped her finger into the jar and held it to his mouth. She smiled at him and urged him to eat it. Finally he leaned in and closed his mouth around her finger taking the peanut butter off it as he pulled away. Carol knew she was flirting, hard core, but she also knew he didn't mind. Their relationship had been filled with flirty moments and even when he told her to "stop" there was a sparkle in his eye that was saying, "please don't stop." Carol stuck her finger in for one last scoop. She stared at him while she fed herself from the same finger that had just been in his mouth. "Probably should save some for later, huh?" she asked after swallowing the last of her bite.

Daryl put the lid back on and set the jar on the counter. "Those pig's feet are mine," he said as they started to leave.

"Not a chance," Carol shot back. "I'm willing to share with you though." Daryl shook his head with a smile, obviously surprised she liked pig's feet.

They wandered around some more, slowly exploring each room in turn and finally ended up in a room with caskets on display and a piano in the corner. It was starting to get dark outside and Carol could hear the wind picking up, rattling the cans Daryl had set up. She took a seat at the piano, while Daryl wandered around looking at the coffins. He reached inside one and pushed down as if to check how soft it was. "You're not going to get in there," Carol said.

"I ain't no vampire," Daryl replied. "Just curious if these things are comfortable."

"Do you really think the dead care?" Carol teased him.

Daryl gave her a look. "You just gonna sit there or you gonna play that thing?"

Carol looked at the piano. "Well I most certainly will not be singing, but I might be able to remember how to play something…" she reached for the keys. It all came back to her easily, like riding a bike, even though she hadn't played the piano since before Sophia was born. The song she played was one of the first she'd learned, really simple, but still beautiful. Carol couldn't remember the name of it though. "How did you know I play?" she asked as she finished the song.

Daryl looked at her shyly, "You looked at the piano like it was an old friend." Carol nodded in understanding, it was an old friend, got her through some hard times.

She stood up, "come on, let's go share those pig's feet, I'm starving." She started hobbling out of the room with Daryl following close behind. He was pretty much breathing down her neck. "I'm going as fast as I can," she said, over her shoulder.

"Forget that," Daryl said, sweeping her off her feet like he'd carried her earlier. Carol laughed, knowing he was in a hurry to get to the pig's feet and she was slowing him up. Daryl set her down on a chair in the kitchen and brought over their food. Before they could start eating they heard the cans rattle loudly outside. It wasn't just the wind this time. "Stay," Daryl told her as he went to the front door.

Carol listened and waited somewhat patiently for him to return. She was about to get up when Daryl came back in the room. "Just a damn dog," he said.

"You didn't open the door?" Carol asked.

"Nope, peeked out the window. I promised we would be safe. Door stays shut until we're ready to leave in the morning," he replied, reassuring her.

They ate in silence, sharing the jar equally between their plates. After Carol ate a couple she moved the rest to his plate, knowing he needed more food than she did. Daryl gave her a look, asking if she was sure. "Go ahead. I'll just have a little more peanut butter," she said opening the jar and scooping some.

All of a sudden there was a huge boom of thunder followed by a flash of lightning that lit up the entire kitchen. They were dining by the light of a single candle, but the lightening made it seem like the kitchen lights came on for a second. Carol jumped at the crack of thunder and stood to peek out the window. When the next flash of lightning came she could see several walkers roaming around outside.

"Maybe we should try and get some sleep," Daryl suggested. Carol nodded in agreement and they left the kitchen. They had found a hallway with 3 bedrooms. The beds were all perfectly made, rooms spotless. They stopped at the first one and Carol lit the candles that were set up around the room.

Daryl started to leave. "Wait," she called out. "Would you? I mean, it's a king bed…" Carol's voice trailed off. She was nervous asking him to stay, but she didn't want to be alone. "This place creeps me out, will you stay?" Daryl nodded and she watched as he took off his boots and jacket. Carol did the same and wandered over to the window. "I love watching storms," she said quietly.

Carol didn't even realize Daryl had walked over to join her until she heard his reply from right behind her, "me too."

They stood at the window, side by side, staring outside, watching the lightning show. Carol turned to look at him. She was finally starting to see the old Daryl emerging again and she was both happy and relieved. Daryl hadn't realized she was watching him at first, still mesmerized by the display outside. When he finally turned and met her eyes Carol's breath caught in her chest. The way he was looking at her was filled with such gratitude and admiration. He was thanking her for bringing him back in the best way he knew how, without words.

Carol was scared to breathe and scared to move, but somehow her hand found its way into his and she squeezed it gently, to let him know she understood. They continued to look at each other until finally Carol clued in. He was ready. It didn't usually take her that long to figure him out but it finally hit her that he was waiting for her to make the first move. Carol took a minute to consider whether this had ever happened before and she just missed it, but she was confident that this was the first. It took time and tragedy to get Daryl to the point where he was finally ready to let her in, completely, and give her a part of him he'd guarded his entire life.

Carol inched her lips slowly towards his, giving him plenty of time to change his mind if he wanted to, but Daryl didn't move. He was waiting for her kiss. When their lips met she kissed him tenderly. He met her kiss tentatively at first, in a manner of shyness, not uncertainty. Carol had every confidence that Daryl knew exactly what he was doing. They never talked about his past intimate encounters, but she knew he'd been with women before. Carol wasn't sure if he had ever loved anyone, but she knew that sex was something he definitely knew a thing or two about.

She realized very quickly that his shyness was not a lack of confidence in the physical, but in the uncharted emotional territory they were about to jump into. Daryl knew that it wasn't going to be a quick fuck with her. Once they took this final step they were defining their relationship in a different way. They would no longer be 'just friends.' Carol was ready and she knew that Daryl was too.

Carol parted her lips slightly, her tongue easing out to meet his. They quickly developed an easy and comfortable rhythm as if they had kissed far more than once before. The ease in which the kiss became familiar made Carol feel certain that every part of the encounter to follow would flow just as smoothly. As they continued to kiss Carol started to unbutton his shirt. The only time she had seen his bare chest and back was the time she had took him food at Hershel's farm after Andrea had shot him. But Daryl had quickly covered himself up, obviously embarrassed by the scars on his back. Carol prayed he knew her well enough now not to be self-conscious. She knew he would be beautiful, scars and all.

Carol slid his shirt over his shoulders and pushed it off his arms. She broke the kiss to look at him, tracing his collarbone with her fingertips before running her hands down the front of his chest to his belly. She stepped closer and hugged him, placing her cheek against his shoulder to enjoy the feel of his warm bare skin. She could feel his hands resting on the small of her back and Carol was content to just hold him for a few minutes. She realized there was still a slight chance he might want to stop so she made a point of taking things slow. Carol wanted to ensure there would be no regrets in the morning.

Daryl's hands had crept up under the back of her shirt and he was rubbing small circles on her bare skin. Carol felt her heart thump in response. He stopped rubbing and pushed her back far enough to remove her shirt. Daryl kissed her throat first then started a path downwards, leaving a trail of hot kisses as he sunk to his knees. Carol gasped as he kissed then nipped at the soft skin below her belly button. Daryl knelt before her and Carol looked down at him. He looked up into her eyes and blindly reached for the button on her pants. His fingers worked their magic and the next thing she knew the material was sliding down her legs. Carol helped him by kicking off the pants and her socks with them.

When Daryl rose to his feet she stood before him in only her bra and panties. The hunger in his eyes made her body heat to the core. "Daryl," his name rolled easily off her tongue. She just needed to say it, to hear it and remind herself this moment was real.

"Carol," he whispered back huskily. The sound of her own name in his lust-filled tone made her dizzy and Carol reached for him to gather herself. He was steady and strong, and even though she'd been supporting him lately it was now his turn and he knew it. Daryl lifted her, allowing her to wrap her legs around his waist and kissed her again as he made his way to the bed. Carol explored his back, running her hands over the rigid bumps of his scars, but never dwelling in a way that might make him uncomfortable. Her hands ended up tangled in his long hair, pulling him frantically closer as she took the kiss deeper than they ever had before.

She felt herself being eased back onto the bed as Daryl lay her on the soft mattress. Carol sat up slightly and undid the clasp on the back of her bra before laying back down. She would allow him to fully remove it, when he was ready, which happened to be about 2 seconds after she undid it. The air was cool on her exposed nipples but his mouth was warm, hot even, as he sucked on them in turn. Carol sighed and gasped as he went from gentle licking to hard sucking. The pleasure was creating feelings down low that were making her squirm.

Carol found enough focus to reach for his pants and she undid them quickly. Her hand brushed against his erection as she worked to push the pants down from her awkward angle. Daryl helped and finally the pants were off, but she wasn't done. She reached for the waistband on his underwear and tugged. She needed his help and was thankful when Daryl once again gave it. Carol could help but smile at the beautiful sight before her. He was perfect in every way. She touched his cock, wrapping a hand around the hard shaft, and it sent a new wave of heat coursing through her. Carol reminded herself that they were taking it slow when all she wanted was to feel him deep in her.

Daryl grabbed her panties and Carol lifted her hips to allow him to remove the last shred of material between them. "You're beautiful," he mumbled, almost inaudibly in that shy sweet voice she loved so much. Carol realized that neither one of them needed nor wanted another second of foreplay.

She barely recognized her own voice when she spoke, "make love to me Daryl." Carol parted her legs in encouragement and Daryl moved swiftly into place. She bit her lip as he slowly penetrated. He was large, but she was wet, slick and ready to take all of him. When he was completely inside her Carol gripped his forearms, asking for a minute to enjoy the overwhelming feeling of fullness inside her. As her grip eased he slipped part way out slowly, then pushed right back in and paused, creating that same feeling again. The next time he pulled out Carol bucked her hips to meet his thrust on the way back in and Daryl groaned, a strangled "fuck" escaping his lips.

They kept the slow pace for a while, developing a rhythm as she rose to meet him each time. Carol knew she was driving him just as wild as he was making her. It felt better than she could ever have imagined it would, to finally have a man who cared deeply for her, showing her how special she was to him.

"Jesus Daryl, faster, please," Carol begged, unable to deal with the slow painful pace any longer. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly and focussed on the rapid steady pounding. It felt incredible as their bodies slapped together, Daryl pushing himself as deep as possible with every quick stroke.

"Oh God Carol, I'm gonna come… Do you want me to…" he groaned. Carol knew he was asking if he should pull out and she answered by wrapping her legs around him and holding him in tight. She was almost there too and as his body shuddered with release it sent her over the edge. Carol threw her head back as strangled cries from deep within escaped her throat. They held each other tight as the waves of pleasure wracked their bodies, sweat glistening on their burning skin.

Finally Daryl collapsed, rolling to the side to avoid crushing her with his weight. When she was able to focus again she sought out his eyes. Carol needed to make sure he was still okay with what just happened. Her heart skipped at beat when he gave her a shy smile. That was all she needed. Carol knew Daryl didn't want to talk about it and they didn't need to. They knew each other too well. And they now knew each other on that final level: intimacy.

Carol stood up to blow out all the candles, then grabbed the blanket from the bottom of the bed. She pulled it over Daryl and kissed him softly on the forehead before climbing back in bed and joining him underneath. Carol listened to the storm rage outside and felt completely calm for the first time in days.