Hotline

by SamiWammy

Hello : ) This is a series of one-shots based around Carol and Daryl. I am taking requests so content will vary from smut to emotional romance, horror, humor, you name it! If you want to see it happen, just send a PM. I'm a Caryl shipper through and through and I can't wait to see all the ideas you guys have for our favorite couple. Enjoy! 1st chapter is smut!

5. Pursuit

Hey guys : ) Hope everyone's coping during the mid-season break! It seems like you enjoyed the last chapter so I'm excited to bring you another one : ) This is a request from Scifi Riot who thought it would be fun to see Daryl making the moves. I know it's usually Carol who gets the ball rolling, but Scifi Riot wanted to see our favorite hunter going after his girl. After the heavy stuff in the last chapter, I tried to put some fun, flirty humor in this one. Enjoy! Cigarette warning? Idk…maybe, maybe not…guess you'll have to read to find out ; ) Oh! One last thing, you can pair this with the haircut chapter…think of it as a continuation of the Daryl and Carol from chapter 3. Also…cuteness!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead, but I should…

Chapter 5: Pursuit

Carol was struggling. Her chest was heaving, and her lungs burned with each strained breath. She could feel beads of sweat slipping down her spine, making her shirt cling to her back.

Can't….stop…..

Every muscle was aching and quivering but she knew that she needed to keep going. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she managed to lift her chin and meet Daryl's gaze. He stared at her with narrowed blue eyes, locks of damp hair hanging in his face. She could see the way his chest rose and fell with each breath but he was showing no signs of weakness. The only thing reflected in those feral, ocean colored eyes was determination. Swallowing hard, Carol willed herself to focus.

We can do this….

But she didn't know how much longer she would last. Drawing on the last reserves of her strength, Carol fought through the pain and kept moving. Sensing that she was beginning to falter, Daryl grunted at her. "C'mon…don't stop now."

She groaned, her eyes slamming shut for a moment as her body threatened to give in.

"Carol!" he snapped. "C'mon; work with me…."

She glared at him then, wondering what it was that made him so relentless. "Fine…." she bit out, forcing herself to take a deep breath. They kept going, sweat stinging their eyes and breaking out all over their bodies. Carol could feel herself getting weaker with each passing second; her body couldn't take the toll and she wondered how she'd even gotten herself into this position. But there was no time for second guessing…not when Daryl was growling at her, urging her… The heat was getting worse and Carol felt as though she might faint.

Her muscles started to tremble and her entire frame seemed to ache with the effort of what they were doing…but she knew she needed to help him.

"Fuck…." he breathed, his own muscles straining hard. He let his tongue dart out quickly over his chapped lips, but he didn't stop moving.

Carol studied him, amazed by his strength and the sheer will he possessed. "Getting….close?" she panted.

The hunter's eyes flicked to her face and something about the way she was struggling made the corner of his mouth hitch up in amusement. "Yea…" he growled, "Almost….there…."

Carol managed a quick nod as they continued to move together. Every breath was painful now and the heat was almost unbearable. Her shirt was clinging desperately to her damp skin and she could see the way sweat shone on Daryl's arms, highlighting every hard curve of muscle. They were so close but she didn't think she could last any longer. Her heart was pounding violently within the confines of her chest and her mouth had gone dry. When she felt the last ounce of her strength slipping away, like a bead of sweat along her jaw line, Carol met his gaze and the two stared hard at one another.

"Now!" he snarled…

And Carol finally let go, a sharp gasp escaping her as her body relished the sudden relief. Her eyes were closed and she was pulling deep, desperate breaths into her lungs. Daryl was muttering curses as he brought one hand up to wipe the sweat from his eyes. Feeling weak and used, the survivors paced slowly, giving themselves a few moments to recover.

"Jesus…" Carol sighed, one hand cupping her forehead while the other slid into her back pocket.

The hunter's hands were on his hips. He kicked absently at the ground as he crossed back and forth in front of the bonfire. When he finally felt that he could speak, he licked his lips and glanced at his partner. "Ya alright?" he asked.

Carol blew out a breath and nodded. "Don't know that I can handle any more today…but I'll be fine."

Daryl sighed and they both stared down at the heavy corpse they'd just carried out of the prison. The walker wore a prisoner's jumpsuit and thick blood was still dribbling from the wound in its skull. In an effort to clear new sections of the prison, the group had encountered over a dozen walkers they weren't counting on. They'd managed to put the geeks down without anyone getting hurt, but then they were left with the grim task of getting the bodies outside. The group agreed that any corpses should be burned. Glenn and Michonne had started a fire and everyone took turns carrying walkers out of the cell block. Daryl and Carol weren't sure how they'd wound up working together, but neither minded. Carol was eager to prove that she was just as strong as the rest of them and Daryl seemed to think that she was up to the task. So they'd worked to clear several bodies…the last being the heaviest. By the time they lifted the last corpse, Carol was sure her limbs were going to give out. But she didn't want to look weak in front of him. So she bit her lip, braced herself, and held the dead man's wrists while Daryl held his legs…the bloated corpse swinging slightly between them as they made their way out into the yard, towards the bonfire.

Despite the violent lives they lived, Carol couldn't recall a time when she'd worked so hard. It was one thing to stab geeks…to run…shoot. It was quite another to haul their dead weight through the dark, dank halls of the prison…then out into the heat of the day, across the yard…with the sun beating down on her back…her limbs trembling painfully with the effort. There seemed to be no relief from the mid-summer heat and now that she was standing, exhausted and aching, beside a damn bonfire….Carol wanted nothing more than to retreat to the safety of the prison and stand beneath the weak trickle of water that she knew would be waiting for her in the wash room. Herschel and Rick had managed to rig a crude shower system and as Carol's breathing continued to slow, she could almost feel the cool water in her hair.

A sharp sound pulled her from her thoughts and she glanced in Daryl's direction. He whistled at her, then pointed to the bloated corpse that lay on the ground between them. "Let's get this sumbitch on the pile 'n call it a day."

Carol released a heavy sigh and rubbed the back of her neck. They'd dropped the body just inches from the fire, but she knew they needed to get him heaped onto the smoldering mass of corpses. The group members seemed to agree; the only way to feel clean…the only way to cleanse the prison was to burn any evidence of the dead that had infested it. Carol's hands went to her hips as she stared down at walker's ruined face. Yellowed, sunken eyes gazed up at her and she shuddered slightly. When she finally lifted her chin to meet Daryl's gaze, she nodded. "Alright; let's do it."

The hunter grunted at her before bending down to grip the dead man's ankles. Carol mimicked his pose as she dropped down and grabbed the corpse's clammy wrists. "On three…" he growled.

She nodded, licking her lips and preparing for the strain that was about to be placed on her limbs.

"One…two…three!" He stood, with a huff, and Carol stood with him. They both snarled at the dead weight suspended between them. Their eyes locked for a moment and they acknowledged each other with subtle nods as they began to swing the body…back and forth, creating the momentum they would need to toss the corpse onto the pile. After several good swings, the two survivors put all of their strength into the motion and flung the bloated corpse into the flames. The body landed with a sick thump; Carol and Daryl watched as the one-time prisoner's uniform quickly began to blacken and burn. They stood, staring at the gruesome results of their handiwork…and wondered when exactly they'd grown accustomed to the smell of burning human flesh.

As they took a moment to calm themselves, each of them waiting for their limbs to stop throbbing, Daryl watched her. She was pacing slowly, her eyes closed, her hands pressing into her lower back as she tried to rub some of the soreness from her muscles. Her shirt was clinging to her back and her chest glistened with sweat…the shining drops of moisture slipping down between her breasts. She looked exhausted…accomplished, but exhausted. Daryl hadn't seen her look like that since his haircut… Since she sat panting, in his lap, her head resting in the crook of his neck. She'd been tired then…covered in sweat, sapped of her energy…but she'd been happy…satisfied at least. He kept a low growl locked behind his lips as his eyes wandered from her chest, to the tight stomach he knew was hidden just beneath her clothes, lower…to her hips. He remembered the way it felt to grab them, holding on tightly as she rode him…having to fight the urge to come. He took in her long legs…picturing them wrapped around his waist…

Christ…

Daryl grunted, shaking his head to rid himself of the distracting images. It had been twelve days… Twelve long, grueling, painful days since he slid her panties down her legs and felt the incredible pressure of her sinking onto his shaft. Twelve days since her walls took him in, clenching around him… Not that he'd been counting. Not that he'd been thinking about it…about her…ever since. It wasn't as if he'd lain awake at night, struggling on the perch….tortured by a need that he never realized he had….wishing like hell that he'd opted for a cell…just so that he could take advantage of having the tiniest bit of privacy so that he might relieve the pressure that was slowly driving him crazy. Daryl didn't know what changed. When they'd sat together, in that metal chair, panting against each other's lips, they'd agreed that there would be more…they both wanted it, or at least it seemed that way to Daryl at the time. She let him kiss her…and he could've sworn that she kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm. But in the twelve days that had passed, she hadn't mentioned what happened between them…neither had he. They'd stayed in the chair, kissing and laughing lightly for several minutes while their heart rates slowed, but then the reality of their situation set in. They shared a cell block with several other people that would undoubtedly be coming to check on them soon. They'd separated, carefully, and cleaned themselves up the best they could. He'd watched, through dreamy, lust drunk eyes as she pulled her panties back on and stepped into her pants, yanking them up her legs. He zipped up his fly and fastened his belt, his eyes still on her body. After smoothing her hair and straightening her shirt, she helped Daryl up and they both stood on shaky legs, smirking at one another. She let her hand rest lightly, on the center of his chest as her blue eyes found his. With a soft smile, she leaned in and kissed him, whispering 'thank you' against his mouth. She chuckled, telling him that it was fun, and then she moved past him…pushing the hanging sheet aside and stepping out into the cellblock…leaving him to collect his thoughts. Daryl had stood in her cell for what seemed like the longest time…her taste lingering in his mouth and her smell all around him. He'd sighed, content, but somewhat dazed…and wondered what the hell any of it meant. The only thing he'd been sure of, was that there would be a next time.

But now, on the twelfth day of their…drought, he began to think that Carol had changed her mind. There never seemed to be an opportunity…and part of him wondered if she was purposely avoiding him. Granted, clearing an entire prison was no easy task and it left little room for leisure, but still. Each of the group members took watch shifts…they all took turns stabbing walkers through the fence to avoid a pile up….and there were supply runs that needed to be made. The survivors lead very busy, dangerous, demanding lives. As he rubbed the back of his aching neck and kicked at the ground, Daryl entertained the possibility that there really hadn't been any chances to…well…he wasn't sure what to call it. But he figured they would've at least carved out a second of time to talk about what happened…or acknowledge it somehow. Not that the hunter was one for deep discussions, but he sensed that they should talk about it. He stopped rubbing his neck as something else occurred to him. Over the past twelve days, he seemed to be the only one interested in pursuing whatever this thing was that they'd started. He made every effort to get paired with her during late watch, runs, training, or any other odd jobs that came up…but something always seemed to get in the way. He even offered to help her fix their dinner several nights ago, just so he'd have a minute to talk to her, but she'd given him her usual soft smile, and dismissed him with a pat on the arm. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated Daryl became. Trying to get that woman to talk to him was like trying to trap a goddamn animal…one that always seemed to escape the snare.

Your dumb ass just needs to let it go….she don't want this…

But something about that bothered him. His eyes flicked to her face and he focused on her lips…the way her teeth were sinking into that soft flesh as she sighed and paced. She enjoyed it…the time they'd spent together in her cell… He felt her come. There was no denying it…her body had shuddered against him…the muscles contracting around him as a powerful spasm hit her core. In their hellish world, which held so little joy…where violence and loss reigned supreme, he couldn't begin to understand why she would abandon something that had given her pleasure. Daryl had never been very confident in anything other than his hunting abilities, and he certainly wasn't one to think highly of himself, but he remembered the incredible motion of her hips…the way she muttered curses through her gag…and the dreamy look on her face as they both came down from their high. He'd done that to her…made her happy…at least physically…and he knew, that if she gave him a chance, he could do it again. He just had to figure out why she was resisting. Daryl Dixon never made a habit of losing his quarry and he wasn't going to start now. He just had to be patient, tread lightly, and understand his prey. He wasn't giving up.

Carol could feel the exhaustion in her bones. Moving the first few bodies had been hard enough, but by the time that she and Daryl hauled the fourth corpse out of the prison, the sun was high and the muscles in her back were screaming. She'd wanted to quit…to drop everything and retreat to the safety and solitude of her cell, but no one else had thrown in the towel, and she wouldn't allow herself to be the first. Leaning forward, Carol rubbed some of the soreness from her thighs and blew out a warm breath. As she waited for her heart rate to slow, she knew the real reason she'd pushed herself so hard.

Daryl.

She'd done her best to limit their interaction…since his haircut…but it was easier said than done. Their cell block wasn't terribly large and they seemed to cross paths much too often for her liking. Not that she had any problems with Daryl…but she was concerned about what had taken place between them. Part of her felt guilty for propositioning him…even though he seemed to enjoy it as much as she did. When she wasn't feeling guilty, Carol spent her time agonizing over the whole thing…turning it over and over in her mind…weighing the pros and cons. She knew she was being foolish…over thinking it…but she couldn't help it. Each time she considered approaching him, something held her back. The first, and most basic issue, was the lack of privacy in the prison. It was nothing short of a miracle that they hadn't been caught that afternoon in her cell. She suspected that their urgency was the only thing that had spared them…their union lasting only a few minutes. Secondly, Carol was worried about creating a dependency in both of them. She wasn't proud of that thought, in fact…it made her feel weak, and embarrassingly so, but it was true. The pure, physical pleasure she'd experienced with him had been amazing and she found herself thinking about it…a lot….when she was trying to sleep, when she woke up each morning…whenever she walked past the perch, when she heard his voice or happened to meet his gaze from across a room…when he stood close enough for her to catch his scent. They'd only been together once and she was constantly plagued with thoughts of him…his body…and the things he could do with it. It was distracting, and Carol needed to focus. There was too much that had to be done. They were attempting to clear an entire prison and none of them knew how many walkers, whether inmates or civilians, were still stumbling around those dimly lit halls and forgotten rooms. The very last thing she needed was a distraction…especially when one wrong move…one misstep could cost Carol her life…or a limb. She knew that Daryl had an even greater burden on his shoulders. Not only was he clearing cell blocks on a daily basis, but he was responsible for feeding everyone. Carol couldn't handle any distractions and she figured he couldn't either…not when so much as at stake. With all of those things in mind, she opted to avoid him. It wasn't fair; she knew that…but it seemed to be the best course of action…as far as she was concerned.

So, Carol had swapped watch shifts…gotten up early, stayed up late, made herself scarce whenever he was around and offered up excuses and bits of small talk when she couldn't escape him entirely. It seemed to be working…but that was a term Carol used loosely. They were part of a tightly-knit group and she knew she couldn't avoid him forever…but she planned to hold-off any deep discussions or debates for as long as she could…that was until they'd been tasked with dragging the bodies out of the prison. She supposed she owed her current situation to another foolish bout of daydreaming. She'd watched him take down the last walker earlier in the afternoon. She saw the ferocity with which he attacked it, the way he lunged fearlessly towards the walker and drove his knife deep into its skull, growling as he killed the monster. He'd wrenched the blade free with a grunt, his blue eyes burning as he scanned the dark hallway for more corpses. Witnessing the man's raw power made Carol's mouth go dry and she couldn't help but to remember the way his strong hips had jerked underneath her as they sat in that metal chair. She'd been so lost in thought that she couldn't hear Rick's words as he barked orders at the group. The next thing she knew, the others had paired off and she felt the pressure of a strong hand on her shoulder. She blinked and saw the deputy standing beside her. "You 'n Daryl got the rest of 'em?" he'd asked her, gesturing to the bodies that littered the ground.

All she could manage was a nod; Rick gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before he walked away, leaving her to deal with the mess at hand…and she didn't mean the corpses. She'd swallowed hard, calming herself and then lifted her chin…only to find Daryl staring at her. For several heartbeats, she gnawed her bottom lip and wondered what the hell came over the two of them…that day in her cell…

How could you let yourself do that? Things were fine…sure, he was distant…but all you had to do was wait him out…he would've come back around….but no….instead, you decide to screw him…because that always helps… And where did those few minutes of grunting and moaning get you? You can't even look at him anymore…you live together…you need to make this work.

Carol winced at the harsh, but honest words that were echoing in her head. Daryl was standing a few yards away, waiting patiently for her to say something.

We're adults; we can do this. It's just sex…it's not like we did anything terrible. I think we're mature enough to move past it and do our jobs.

With her mind made up, Carol nodded in his direction. "Should we get started?" she'd asked, hoping her voice didn't betray her concerns.

He stared at her for a moment longer, as if he expected her to say something else…but she didn't. Daryl crouched with a huff and grabbed the first corpse by its ankles. "C'mon," he'd urged. And so the two of them had begun the unpleasant task of hauling the bodies…which lead them to where they were now….lingering awkwardly by the bonfire, despite the fact that they were both dripping sweat.

Carol had done her best to ignore him while they moved the bodies. She didn't want to think about the way his shirt was clinging to him, or the way his muscles strained each time he lifted one of the walkers….she didn't want to hear his ragged breathing, or smell his sweat…but now that they were finished with their work, and finally had a moment to recover… She found herself looking. He lifted his shirt by the hem and used the dingy fabric to wipe at his face. Carol had to bite her lip when she saw his flat stomach…his skin glistening with moisture…and her eyes followed the dark trail of hair below his navel…

Stop it…it's wrong…you're only making things worse. You need to get him out of your head.

Despite her own warnings, Carol felt a genuine sense of loss when he lowered his shirt. A dull ache began to build between her legs and she was forced to remind herself of all the reasons she'd been avoiding him.

When Daryl finished wiping the sweat from his eyes, he released his shirt and could've sworn that he'd caught Carol staring at him. She looked away, clearing her throat and folding her arms across her chest…but there was color in her cheeks and Daryl had to wonder if the thoughts in her head had been less than innocent just then…. The idea was intriguing. He seemed to notice, for the first time, that they were alone…out in the yard, fairly isolated. His hands were on his hips as he considered his options. The hunter was smart enough to know that he couldn't accuse her of avoiding him…at least not directly. He couldn't just ask her why she'd changed her mind about him…or them…the idea of them… No. Any direct questions would startle her and he'd be back at square one…alone, confused and frustrated. If years of hunting had taught him anything, Daryl knew that this would require a bit more thought. He needed to go slow with her...get her to trust him. The hunter was determined to wait her out…at least until her guard finally came down. "Ya did good." he said, his blue eyes trained on her.

Carol glanced at him, offering a shrug and a tired smile. "Just trying to do my part." She started rubbing her aching biceps. "Think I bit off more than I can chew…" she said softly, almost to herself. As soon as the words left her mouth, Carol felt warmth spread through her face at the double meaning.

You were in over your head the moment you asked him into your cell….

The significance of the statement wasn't lost on Daryl. He scuffed his boot in the dirt and eyed her, the slightest hint of a smirk on his face. "Think ya handled it alright." he said.

She coughed and averted her eyes.

Daryl ran a hand through his mussed hair and wondered how long it was going to take for her to open up to him. "We should head back." he growled.

Carol nodded as she walked past him on stiff legs. Daryl fell into step beside her. She wouldn't allow herself to look at him, but his bare arm occasionally brushed hers, making her shiver. His scent hung heavy in the warm air around them and Carol's baser instincts were telling her to grab his shirt in her fists and push him onto the ground.

No. Your hormones do not rule you. They've gotten you into enough trouble as it is.

So she held back her groans and kept her eyes trained on the prison in the distance. With each step, she worried that he would say something…ask her about what happened in her cell…but he didn't.

"You're quiet." he said, glancing at her. "Somethin' on your mind?"

"Not really." she sighed, trying to end the conversation then and there.

"Ya sure?" he asked.

Carol stiffened beside him, her pace increasing. "I'm fine." she bit out, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

Daryl kept up with her. "Ya seem tense."

Carol tried to release some of her frustration with a sigh but she didn't answer him.

"That ain't good for ya." he added; they were nearing the prison.

Exasperated, she finally stole a glance at him, hoping to get her point across. "I told you; I'm fine." Her blue eyes had narrowed and her mouth was a thin line, but Daryl wasn't intimidated.

"Sure." he said, the corner of his mouth quirking up in amusement.

The look on his face was irritating her; they were getting close to where the vehicles were parked and she could hear some of the others milling around in the distance. Stopping suddenly, she glared at him. The hunter stopped when she did, his eyes quickly roaming from her feet…all the way up her body until he met her gaze. "What?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

There was something brazen in the way he looked at her and Carol was tempted to smack him. Biting back her frustration, she locked eyes with him and spoke slowly. "I'm fine Daryl. Just a long day. Now let it go."

He merely shrugged, as if he were dismissing her statement.

"And what exactly does that mean?" she asked, meaning the shrug. Her arms were still folded across her chest.

"Nothin'." he said, his voice like gravel and his eyes lingering on her mouth. "Just seems like you're wound up pretty tight." Daryl wasn't stupid, he'd chosen his words with care. He wanted to get a reaction out of her. The hunter stood his ground and took some satisfaction in the fact that he knew exactly how tight she was…or how tight parts of her were….

Carol's lips parted, her brows knitting together as she stared at him. She was shocked at his words. Part of her wanted to believe that it was just a turn of phrase…with no hidden meaning…but the flush on her cheeks told her different. The idea that he was referring to her….

Jesus…

She couldn't bring herself to entertain that thought. It occurred to Carol that he might be toying with her…and that only added to her frustration. Fed up with him, herself…and the day in general, Carol took a step closer, leaning into his space.

Daryl knew she was trying to scare him…make him uncomfortable, and normally, the proximity would've been enough to make him back down…but not today. Not when he'd been looking for any excuse to get near her. As far as he was concerned, she could get as close as she wanted. The smirk was still on his mouth as he stared at her.

"Like I said…" Her voice was dangerously low as she spoke to him. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't need you, or anyone else worrying about me. " With that, she turned away from him and started walking towards the steps that lead to C-block. As she was walking away, Carol called back to him. "Go find something useful to do with your time."

Daryl rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, the smirk still on his lips. "I'm tryin'." he called out.

Carol froze, glancing over her shoulder. She couldn't believe him. Granted, she wasn't entirely sure of the underlying meaning in his words, but she had a strong suspicion…and that was enough. She didn't bother to dignify his statement with a response; instead she shook her head in disbelief and continued on her way, leaving him to his thoughts. When she reached the top of the steps, she yanked the door to the cellblock open with gusto and promptly slammed it behind her. As she left the brooding hunter behind her, a single, muttered phrase fell from her lips. "Try harder." She huffed and marched angrily through the cellblock, determined to stay away from him for the rest of the day.

When she finally reached her cell, Carol sank onto her bunk and released a heavy sigh. It didn't matter that she was sweaty…her forearms flecked with blood and dirt..her hair mussed, she just needed to rest…to put the afternoon's trials behind her. She fell back onto the flimsy mattress and stared at the bunk above her, searching for something to keep her mind occupied. With one arm draped across her forehead, and the other resting on her stomach, Carol tried to take some small comfort in the plain grey walls of her cell.

At least I'm alone.

As far as she was concerned, the others could fend for themselves. She wasn't going to worry about what may or may not be going on beyond the plain, white sheet that served as her curtain….it was all that separated her from the rest of the world. Pulling a deep breath into her lungs, Carol closed her eyes and tried to relax. She never slept heavily, or for very long…none of them did. The most she could hope for was two hours…maybe three….if the baby didn't start crying. She drummed her fingers lightly on her stomach and thought about dinner.

In an effort to establish some sense of normalcy, the group had taken to gathering together in the evenings. Someone was always on watch, but other than that, they all took seats in the mess hall and worked to scrounge up a meager meal of some sort. More often than not, they shared bowls of ramen or canned vegetables, warmed over the gas stove. When Daryl managed to bring back deer, rabbit, or squirrel, they'd fix a very watered down stew and ladle it out in small portions. They did their best to make the meat last. But those days were entirely devoted to cleaning the carcasses, gutting them, skinning them… Just thinking of it made Carol tired. As much as she enjoyed venison, she was glad that the night's dinner would be a simple one. She usually helped, either by preparing the food, or watching the baby so that the others could distribute the portions. Another sigh escaped her. She needed to rest.

Someone will come get me before dinner…if they need anything, they know where I am.

Carol rolled onto her side and faced the concrete wall. The thin fabric of the pillow case felt cool, almost soothing against her cheek and in the gloom of her quiet cell, Carol finally began to relax. But the moment she let her guard down, nagging thoughts seemed to rush into her head, circling like flies in her mind's eye. She started to feel guilty for the way she'd spoken to Daryl outside. She'd snapped at him, and he didn't deserve it.

Maybe he wasn't toying with you…maybe he really wanted to know how you were doing…

"Maybe…" she muttered softly into her pillow, her eyes closed.

What if it was all in your head? You're making this harder than it has to be….you brought it on yourself…

The voice in her head was fading as sleep took her…but she heard the message. Maybe she'd been too short with the hunter. She'd considered him a friend, before their little rendezvous in her cell….maybe she just needed to remind herself of that from time to time. She didn't want to lose the connection they'd built. With her mind made up, Carol curled into the fetal position and let sleep take her. She wasn't going to take out her frustration on Daryl. As difficult as it might be, she was going to treat him the way she always had. She would wake up for dinner, offer help if it was needed, and make peace with the man. She would smile, make conversation, and pretend that the haircut never happened. And maybe, if fortune smiled on her, Daryl would play along and forget the whole thing.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the survivors slowly made their way to the mess hall. Michonne let Herschel lean on her as the two walked into the room, joining the others. The farmer was still adapting to life on crutches and Michonne had proven to be a great help whenever he needed to get somewhere in a hurry. The two seemed to be forming an unlikely friendship and they smiled weakly at the others when they entered the room.

Beth looked up, glad to see her father up and about. She and Carl made room at their table, allowing Herschel to slump down next to them. Rick was on watch, and Glenn was charged with looking after Judith. Maggie stood in front of the stove, stirring a large pot of noodles. There was a smirk on her lips as she stole glances at her partner. It was apparent that Glenn didn't have much experience with children. The man wore a look of desperation as he rocked the squalling baby in his arms. "Try singin' to her." said Maggie.

Glenn's brows knit together as he stood in the middle of the room. "What?"

"Sing." Carl echoed. "She likes it."

A nervous chuckle escaped Glenn as he stared down at the fussy child. "I think she likes it when Beth sings…me, not so much."

"You're not givin' yourself enough credit." said Maggie. She turned the heat down on the stove, letting the pot simmer. "We all gotta learn to look after her…and you're doin' fine."

Glenn swallowed hard while he paced. Judith's cheeks were red from crying and he didn't know what to do. He looked at Herschel, hoping that the man had some advice for him, but the farmer just smiled.

"Son, you're over thinkin' this. She's a baby. Babies cry. All of 'em. Doesn't mean ya can't get her to stop. Is she wet?" Herschel asked.

"No," Glenn answered quickly, much to the amusement of the others. "She's fine, I checked. I gave her a bottle a little while ago…I don't know what else to do."

Taking pity on the man, Beth decided to relieve him. Just as she moved to rise from her seat…the sound of heavy footsteps made her stop. They all turned to find the source of the sound, and saw Daryl walking into the mess hall. He greeted them with a stiff nod but kept moving until he was standing in front of Glenn. "Somethin' wrong with ass kicker?" he asked, glancing at the baby.

"I don't know…" Glenn sighed, "I don't think so…I just can't get her to stop."

Without any hesitation, Daryl reached for the screaming bundle. "Give her here."

Glenn was confused as he reluctantly handed the baby over to the hunter.

But Daryl didn't seem to be the least bit concerned. He held the little girl, her head resting in the crook of his elbow. As if he'd forgotten that the others were there, the hunter began walking slowly, back and forth across the room. He was completely focused on the baby in his arms and he spoke softly as he rocked her. "C'mon now…stop all that cryin'….go on….ain't nothin' to be fussin' about…." His voice was low, just above a whisper and he kept his eyes trained on her little face. The others smiled as they watched the strange scene unfold. After just a few minutes in Daryl's arms, Judith's screams became weak whimpers…eventually stopping altogether. She stared up at him, blinking and cooing and he couldn't help the smile on his face. He'd always been good with her. Nobody understood why, but they didn't question it either. The others were just grateful that someone could get her to stop crying. But Daryl knew what the real reason was. His blood ran hot and he gave off natural warmth that the baby apparently found soothing. All he had to do was hold her close for a few minutes and she always quieted down. He'd never admit it, but he took smug satisfaction in the fact that he could keep the baby happy with almost no effort. It made him feel like he was good for more than just putting meat on the table every so often. And she always seemed so tiny in his arms; it almost made him chuckle. He knew he probably looked ridiculous, his skin covered in sweat and dirt…his hair a tangled mess and his calloused fingers curling protectively around the back of the baby's head…but he didn't care. Daryl liked holding her. He felt strong when he carried her, and she was better company than most of the others anyway, in his opinion. So he cradled Judith against his chest, giving her the warmth she needed. He continued to pace, his voice hushed and gentle as he spoke to her.

From her spot at the top of the stairs, Carol stared down at the usually sullen hunter. With one hand rubbing the back of her neck, and an arm curled loosely around her raised knees, she took in the scene and tried to keep the smile off of her face. When Judith arrived, no one knew what to do. Rick was numb…in shock after losing Lori. He'd disappeared into the tombs with an axe and it was hours before any of them saw him again. Meanwhile, the group was left to deal with a cold, hungry, screaming newborn…a haunted boy who'd just put down his own mother, and a traumatized Maggie…the girl's eyes were red and swollen and she cried for the longest time. It was devastating…. The survivors were grappling with the loss of T-Dog, Lori…and they feared that they'd lost their leader as well…at least the man he'd been before… While the rest of them tore at their hair, screaming and swearing…bemoaning the injustice of it all, Daryl stepped up. Without a second thought, he'd taken the newborn from Maggie's shaking arms and the little girl seemed to relax almost instantly. They'd all stared at him in amazement…each of them wondering how someone so hostile could manage to comfort a crying child. But he'd done it. Since the day she first came into their lives, pink and screaming, Daryl had never wandered too far from the little one. Despite the fact that Carol had seen him hold the baby, feed her, even change her on numerous occasions…the bond between the two of them had never seemed as significant as it did now.

She wasn't sure if it was fatigue…or the fact that she was taking a closer look, but for some reason…seeing the two of them down in the mess hall was making Carol feel funny…in a good way. There was a lazy smile on her face and she felt warmth spreading through her body. Not the type of warmth that comes with embarrassment or arousal…but from a feeling of genuine contentment, or happiness. She shook her head, feeling foolish, but the smile wouldn't leave her lips. As she sat on the steps, enjoying the view, the nagging voice in her head reemerged.

It's because of the haircut…and how he kissed you after

Carol blushed at the memory. She hadn't expected the kissing…but she certainly enjoyed it. She supposed it was the fact that he'd been gentle with her…sweet even. After the rushed, sweaty, almost animalistic sex, Carol wasn't expecting to see such a drastically different side of him. But if all the time they'd spent together had taught her anything, it was that Daryl Dixon was nothing if not surprising. And so she continued to stare at the man she'd grown close to…the man who'd given her the most intense pleasure she'd ever known… It was then that Carol began putting the puzzle pieces together. She'd developed a physical attraction to him; she already considered him a friend, and now….watching as he cradled the small child in his arms, Carol realized that the whole thing was probably just causing her estrogen levels to spike…which would explain the stupid grin on her face and the soft sighs that kept slipping from between her lips as she stared at him with dreamy, half-closed eyes. Judith always seemed to brighten Carol's day, lifting her mood. And seeing the tiny girl nestled against Daryl's chest…it was just appealing to her on every possible level. She could feel a sudden giddy sensation bubbling inside her.

You need to stop…relax. Nothing extraordinary is happening in the mess hall. It's just Daryl and Judith…he's just trying to calm her down

"By holding her…" Carol muttered to herself. "In those damn arms…." She released a heavy sigh and rubbed her forehead. His arms had never mattered before… Not until he used them to hold her down while he….

Lord….

Carol sighed again, at once happy and frustrated.

You brought this on yourself.

"I know…." she whispered, leaning her head against the stair rail. Her eyes were locked on the scene below. She wanted to stop staring, but she couldn't.

There was a faint smile on Daryl's lips as he watched the baby girl's lids grow heavy. He continued to pace slowly, making his way from one end of the mess hall to the other. Judith squirmed a bit, but he held her close and spoke softly, almost whispering to her. He knew he probably looked foolish, but he didn't care what the others thought. All that mattered to him was comforting the motherless child who'd been born into such a terrible, violent world. As he rocked her gently in his arms, he saw her eyes close. The sight of the now sleeping baby seemed to lift the hunter's spirit. He smiled down at her and listened to the soft sound her breathing. Knowing that he should set Judith in her makeshift crib so that she could rest, Daryl turned and began walking back to the opposite end of the mess hall where he knew the others were waiting. He could hear them talking softly amongst themselves but he made sure his steps were slow; he wanted to spend just a little more time with the tiny creature. There was something calming about holding her…and the hunter was grateful for anything that could bring him a sense of peace. He'd nearly reached the others when he happened to glance up at the stairwell. He froze when he noticed Carol watching him. She seemed to blush and look away.

How long's she been up there?

Someone else must've spotted Carol because in the next instant Beth was calling to her. "You comin' down? We're almost ready to eat." the girl said, her eyes on the stairwell.

Carol stiffened, but realized that she couldn't very well ignore the girl. She forced a smile and nodded as she stood. Her hand slid along the cool, metal railing as she made her way down. The voice in her head was making itself heard again…

You need to focus…forget about Daryl and that baby….

She swallowed hard and tried to push the thoughts of Daryl from her mind. But when she reached the bottom of the steps, her eyes were automatically drawn to him. She glanced quickly at the sleeping baby and then made herself look away.

The hunter was instantly intrigued. He watched as she walked towards the others and found a seat at one of the tables…but he didn't miss the look she'd given him. Her eyes hadn't held any of the malice he'd seen earlier, when she glared at him outside the prison. She'd looked at him with something close to adoration…or approval? He wasn't entirely sure, but he knew it was something good. While the thoughts began spinning in his skull he saw her cast a quick glance over her shoulder at him. Her eyes flicked from the baby, to his face…and he thought he could see the smallest hint of a smirk on the corner of mouth, but more color rushed to her cheeks and she quickly turned her attention back to her table-mates.

As Daryl stood, cradling the tiny creature in his arms, something seemed to click in his mind.

The kid….

He knew they all had soft spots for the baby…but Carol definitely did. He'd seen the way her face lit up anytime she played with Judith, or held her. The girl had Carol wrapped around her tiny finger…a feat that Daryl had yet to master… But as he stared down at little girl, who was curled up against his chest, another thought entered the hunter's head…

Woman can't say no to this baby…

Maybe, if he stuck close to the little girl….Carol would develop a soft spot for him too. Daryl knew it was wrong. He should never even consider using the baby to get to Carol, but he couldn't help it. He'd been racking his brain for a way to get past the wall she'd built around herself…but nothing seemed to work. Daryl had no intention of giving up, and he figured if he couldn't get through her wall, then he'd just have to settle for crawling under her fence. One way or another, he was going to get to her.

So with his mind made up, he took a seat at one of the nearby tables and continued speaking softly to the baby.

Carol was doing her best to ignore him. She didn't want to think about how cute he looked holding ass kicker. She didn't want to hear that sexy, hushed, voice he was using to speak to the tiny bundle in his arms. And she really didn't want to think about the damn smile on his face when he looked at that little girl…the smile that made him seem genuinely happy, and that took at least five years off of him in an instant. But just knowing that he was nearby…with his strong arms cradling that baby…it was making her resolve crumble. She kept stealing glances out of the corner of her eye…and when she saw him lean down and brush Judith's head with a kiss, it was all she could do to keep the sigh trapped in her chest. Carol felt absolutely ridiculous but she couldn't help it. She'd seen him hold the baby so many times before…but she never remembered him kissing her. Lost in her own rosy-colored thoughts, it took Carol several seconds to notice that he was looking at her. Her breath caught in her throat and she didn't know what to say.

Daryl's mouth hitched up into a smirk. Judging by the look on her face, his plan was working. He knew exactly what he was doing when he kissed that baby. It was low…but Daryl didn't care. He was playing shamelessly on her weaknesses. Sometimes, the only way to trap an animal was with bait. And if there was anything in the prison, that Carol was powerless against, it was Judith.

Carol's lips parted slightly when she noticed the way Daryl was smirking at her from his table. Her brows knit together and it occurred to her that the hunter might have an ulterior motive. She knew he loved ass kicker, but he seemed to be overly affectionate tonight.

Oh my god….

She brought one hand to her temple and tried to clear her head.

He's doing it on purpose…

Carol was having trouble processing her thoughts. She'd always known that Daryl was relentless…at least when it came to hunting, killing geeks, or making sure that everyone made it home after a run….but this…. She gnawed her lip and shook her head slowly.

He's really not going to let it go…

But Carol didn't care. He could pull all the cheap, dirty tricks he wanted. He could shrug the damn shirt off his shoulders and sing to Judith…it wasn't going to change her mind. She didn't care how cute he was, or how sweet he was being with the little girl. She wasn't concerned with those blue eyes of his, or his dark, mussed hair…or the line of his jaw, or the body he had hidden beneath his clothes…or the sweat, dirt and blood that covered his arms. It was none of her business and she wouldn't allow herself to waste another moment thinking about any of it. Sitting up straight and folding her arms across her chest, Carol turned away from him and focused on the bowls of ramen that were now being passed around.

While Daryl was frustrated at the loss of her attention, he took some small comfort in the fact that he was getting under her skin. He'd make it under that fence, if he had to crawl on his damn belly.

After their meager dinner, the survivors slowly dispersed. Watch shifts changed, dirty clothes were gathered for tomorrow's laundry, and those who weren't on guard duty drug their feet to their cells. Carol was crouched near her duffel bag. A small gas lantern served as her only light as she tried to search for something relatively clean to change into. She was squinting through the gloom when she finally found a battered tee and a pair of sweats. Carol continued to rummage through her belongings, hoping to find some underwear, but she froze when she heard voices outside her cell. Curious, she set her things down and crept towards the curtain, pulling it aside just enough to see what was going on.

Rick and Daryl stood near the perch, talking. The deputy and his children slept just two cells down from Carol's. She saw Rick reach out and place a hand on Daryl's shoulder. "Thanks for lookin' after her. I know Glen's still gets anxious whenever I leave him with her."

The hunter shrugged, scuffing his boot on the floor. "Ain't nothin'."

Rick gave his friend's shoulder another pat. "You bein' able to get her quiet…get her sleepin'…that's not a small thing."

Daryl grunted some sort of response, refusing to meet the deputy's gaze.

Rick wore a tired smile as he studied the hunter. "Get some rest; you got watch in the morning." said the deputy.

Daryl nodded and the two men went their separate ways. Rick disappeared into his cell while Daryl turned towards the perch and dropped to a crouch in one of the corners, rifling through his bags.

Something about the exchange made Carol smile. She realized that even if he had been toying with her at dinner, he was still great with Judith…and the little girl clearly had an attachment to him.

Jesus, quit….

She was scolding herself, but the smile was still on her lips. She didn't understand how the man could be frustrating and endearing at the same time. Sighing, and ignoring the sensations that were warring inside her, Carol retreated into the safety of her cell and resumed her search for underwear. When she finally had her clean clothes gathered into a bundle, she snatched a threadbare towel from her bag and stepped out into the darkness of the cellblock. Doing her best to tread lightly, Carol made her way to the stairs…she was doing fine until the first step creaked loudly under her weight. She stiffened and felt eyes on her back. Glancing quickly over her shoulder, she saw Daryl looking at her.

"Where ya goin'?" he asked, his eyes darting to the clothes she held in her arms.

She swallowed hard. "Nowhere. Just getting washed up."

But he was staring at her like a wolf, his eyes almost glowing in the dark. "Alone?" he growled softly.

Carol tried to calm her frayed nerves as she answered him. "I don't make a habit of keeping company in the wash room." She didn't wait for him to respond; instead, she turned away and headed down the metal stairs.

"Ya shouldn't be goin' down there in the dark…not by yourself." he called after her.

Carol sighed. "I think I can manage. Goodnight Daryl." With that, she hurried on her way, trying not to stumble.

Daryl stood on the perch, his hands on his hips. The rational part of his brain knew she was right. They'd cleared the section of the prison near the showers. There weren't any real threats down there… But the thought was nagging at him. She would be alone…naked. She would be vulnerable…and he imagined that she might not be able to run from him if she didn't have any clothes. Even if she didn't want what he wanted…he figured she would have no choice but to talk to him about it. As much as he wanted to be close to her again, and feel her skin against his…he knew that what he really needed was for her to acknowledge what happened. He needed her to say something…anything. Daryl didn't want to spend another night struggling on the perch, wondering what the hell happened between them.

In the safety and solace of the empty shower room, Carol finally let herself breathe. She'd jogged the whole way there, banking on sheer memorization to avoid running into any walls. Once she stepped into the room, she moved towards the counter that held a row of sinks. The group made sure to keep at least one gas lantern in every room and her hand finally found the desired object. Her fingers fumbled for the small knob and she turned it, seeing a small flame emerge within the glass. She gave it another turn and the flame burned brighter. There wasn't much light, but it was enough for her to see the small bench nearby. Carol set her things down and sighed. She'd been doing this ever since Rick and Herschel got the showers running. She would either be the first one up, and head to the wash room before any of the others were even out of bed, or she would stay up late and be the last person to shower. She sighed to herself, realizing that there was one thing she and Daryl had in common…the need for privacy. After catching a glimpse of his scars that day, just before the haircut, she suspected that his preference for isolation must be similar to hers. She had no desire to discuss her own scars with anyone. They were a part of her and she'd accepted that…but it didn't mean she was ready to relive all the things that Ed had done to her before the world turned. So she kept to herself, at least when it came to washing up. And so far, it seemed to be working.

She stood near the bench and unfastened her belt buckle. As she pushed the cargo pants down her hips, guilt began to creep into Carol's consciousness again.

I can't avoid him forever…

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Carol couldn't deny the truth in those words. She stepped out of her pants and slid her panties down her legs. As she pulled the grimy, stained shirt over her head, she sighed. It felt good to get out of the sweat-soaked clothes she'd been wearing all day. She wanted to put the entire, exhausting day behind her…to scrub it off her skin and force it from her mind. A soft groan escaped her when she unclasped her bra and let it drop. She rolled her aching shoulders and ran tried hands through her mussed hair. As she moved towards the shower stalls, she caught a glimpse of herself in one of the cracked mirrors above the sinks. The light was low, and she had trouble making out any real details but she could see strange marks…scratches on her ass…the bruises were nearly gone but the scratches were still healing. Carol shuddered, remembering the way Daryl's nails had dug in as she moved on top of him. They'd both been so lost in lust that neither of them noticed at the time. It wasn't until the day after the haircut that Carol began to feel a stinging pain under clothes. She'd tugged her pants down just enough to see the marks his nails had left on her body. It had been amusing then…a sexy reminder of what they'd done together. But now, when Carol was working so hard to forget it, and to make him forget it, the scratches only served to irritate her. She shook her head in shame and made a mental note to see if Herschel had any ointment. She didn't plan on telling the farmer what it was for, but she was desperate for anything that might make the marks heal faster. Carol didn't want any trace of him lingering on her body.

Thoroughly exasperated, she stepped into the first stall and turned the knob. The rusty pipes groaned and shook; Carol closed her eyes and braced herself for the inevitable shock of cold water. A gasp escaped her when the weak spray burst from the shower head, cool drops pelting her softly. Her body trembled as she grew accustomed to the chilled water. Alone in the gloom, with droplets rolling quickly down her spine, Carol's mind began to wander. As much as she wanted to forget what happened that day in her cell, she knew the memory would always be there…lurking on the edge of her consciousness. Even if she couldn't have him again…if they couldn't have each other…Carol figured that it was safe to think about him when she was completely alone. There was no one there to see her…to judge her… She could relive those frantic moments they'd spent together and she could let herself blush…remembering the way it felt when he pushed her to her peak. The sound of the creaking chair still echoed in her ears; she hadn't been able to look at the damn thing since…she couldn't look at that chair without thinking about him. Carol groaned as she ran her hands through her wet hair and tipped her head back, feeling the water roll down her spine. A dull ache was beginning to form between her legs but she fought to ignore it. She tried to focus on getting clean…wiping sweat and dirt from her skin…but something made her entire body go rigid…the blood seemed to freeze in her veins and her heart began to thrum. Pressing her back against the stall wall, Carol held her breath and listened.

Daryl wasn't sure what he intended to accomplish by following her, but he felt the need to seek her out. His nerves seemed to build with each step he took and by the time he reached the shower room, fresh sweat had broken out under his clothes. He knew Carol well enough to know that she wouldn't take kindly to any visitors during her shower. From what he'd been able to ascertain, she didn't even feel comfortable being in there with other women. But morbid curiosity and physical frustration had driven him forward, leading him to where he stood now… The hunter lingered, uncertain, in the doorway to the shower room. Through narrowed eyes, he tried to make out his surroundings. He could see the lantern flickering on the counter, casting strange shadows…the orange light reflected in the cracked mirrors… Carol's things were piled neatly on a nearby bench, along with her towel. He could hear the soft rush of the spray from the shower head…and he sensed that Carol knew he was there. Stepping inside, he eased the heavy door shut behind him. He decided that there was no use in concealing his identity. "Carol…" he whispered hoarsely.

Despite the darkness, and the fact that the stall concealed her body, Carol folded her arms across her chest, covering her breasts. "What are you doing here?" she hissed. "You have no right to be here…"

Her tone was harsh and the words stung, but if she'd taken one minute of her time to talk to him, over the past twelve days, he wouldn't have to resort to trailing after her in the dark. "Relax," he said as he made his way to the wooden bench and sat down. "Ain't here to bother ya."

Carol was working to keep her breathing under control, but every muscle in her body was tensing with anger and fear. "I think I made myself clear when I said I didn't need any company down here."

The hunter sighed, leaning forward and running a broad hand through his hair. "Was thinkin' we could talk…" he said.

Carol blinked, incredulous. "Later. Get out."

Her tone was starting to irritate him. "Naw; ain't gonna be a later."

She was getting angry. "Excuse…" but he didn't let her finish.

"Been tryin' to get a goddamn second of your time…for days…." he brought a hand to his mouth so that he could chew his thumbnail. "But it don't matter how I go about it…seems like it ain't never the right time…."

Carol's anger was curbed by her guilt. He was right. She'd been avoiding him and he knew that now. Feeling some of the fight go out of her, she leaned her head back against the tile and sighed. "Daryl…I'm sorry…I just…." But he cut her off again.

"I ain't askin' you to spread your legs here Carol…Ain't asking for anything. I'm just tryin' to wrap my head around whatever the hell that was in your cell…'n why ya can't even look at me now."

She reached up to rub her eyes in exasperation. She didn't know what to say to him. Silence filled the room and they both listened to the sound of the water droplets pelting the floor.

Daryl felt the need to keep talking. He'd already started this by coming down here, he figured he might as well say his peace. "Jus thought…" he sighed, rubbing his neck. "Thought ya liked it." Color rushed to his cheeks and he was glad she couldn't see him.

Her chest tightened when she heard the doubt in his voice. There was weak smile on her face and she bit the corner of her lip nervously. "I did. What makes you think I didn't?" she asked.

Daryl lifted his chin and stared at the stall. He was trying not to picture her naked on the other side of the wall. "Ya ain't said nothin' since."

Carol bit her lip harder. "It's just…the more I thought about it…I just started thinking that maybe…"

"What?" Daryl asked in a low growl.

"I wasn't sure that it would be a good idea…to do it again." A flush spread across her cheeks at the admission.

The hunter considered her answer for a moment, and his thumb fell away from his mouth. "Mind if I ask why?"

She closed her eyes, sighing. "Sex changes things Daryl…it always does. It's messy, distracting…and I just don't think we need any more distractions. There's too much we need to do. We've got more important things to worry about."

Daryl nodded slowly, clasping his hands as his elbows rested on his knees. "So you just gonna act like it never happened? That it?"

She huffed, searching the recesses of her mind for an explanation that he might accept. When she came up empty handed, Carol brought a hand up to cup her forehead. "Daryl…" she pleaded with him. "It's late; you should go."

But the hunter wasn't satisfied. "Naw." he grunted.

"Excuse me?" she asked.

"Ain't goin' nowhere." he said, his voice low.

"Why?" she asked, at once scared and irritated.

Daryl gnawed the corner of his lip as he considered a response. With his narrowed eyes fixed on the stall, he growled into the dark. "I'm distracted."

Carol's lips parted; she didn't understand. In the next instant, she heard the bench creak.

The hunter stood slowly, his fingers working on the buttons of his sleeveless shirt.

"Daryl…what are you doing?" she asked, nervousness creeping into her voice.

"I'm tired of thinkin' about ya." he said as he continued to work the buttons through the holes.

She swallowed hard, her back still pressed to the wall. "You…you've been thinking about me?"

Daryl remained perfectly calm as he shrugged the shirt off his shoulders and reached for his belt buckle. "You gonna tell me ya ain't been thinkin' about it?" he asked.

Carol felt a flush spread over her body. "I didn't say that…"

He slid his belt through the loops, letting it hit the floor. "Ain't nothing wrong with what we did. Ya know that, right?" his voice like gravel.

Carol's core tightened when she heard the clang of his belt buckle hitting the floor. "I…" she was struggling to form sentences. "I don't know that it's that simple." she said.

"It is." he argued, tugging at his zipper.

"How can you say that?" she asked, genuinely confused.

Daryl hissed as he pulled his zipper down, the tiny metal teeth nearly grazing his cock. "You're over thinkin' it." he said. "Way I see it…" he grunted as he pushed his pants down. "Ya wanted somethin'…'n ya took it."

Carol blushed, remembering the way she'd gripped his length, guiding him to her entrance. "Daryl…I didn't have any right to…"

"To what?" he interrupted, kicking the pants of the ends of his feet. "Fuck me?"

This was all proving to be too much for Carol. She could hear the rustling of his clothes and when he posed the question to her…point blank, she was at a loss. Sensing that he wasn't going to get an answer out of her, Daryl moved slowly towards the stall…lingering just outside. "Carol," he growled softly. "Like I said before…ain't here to bother ya…'n I ain't her to be a damn nag… If you tell me to go… I'll go."

Carol's heart was pounding in her chest. She knew it would be for the best if he left…but she couldn't find the words to tell him to leave. "Why are you here Daryl?" her voice was soft, her words almost muffled by the rush of the water.

The blood had long since rushed from the hunter's brain, pouring itself into his manhood instead. In that moment, with every nerve ending vibrating…with the knowledge that her naked, wet body was on the other side of the wall, he knew that he needed to be honest. He'd never been able to lie to her, and he certainly couldn't start now. He reached out, bracing one hand on the outer wall, his fingers splaying on the slick tile while his other hand went to his cock, tugging slowly. "I wanted to touch ya…" he breathed.

Carol could hear the sheer need in his voice and it unnerved her. Anxious, she pushed herself away from the wall and slowly started backing away towards the opposite end of the stall, her chest heaving as she tried not to slip. Daryl heard her breathing pick up but she hadn't told him to leave…taking her silence as an invitation, he braced himself and stepped into the stall.

Carol's entire body tensed, her back hit the opposite wall and her palms splayed against it, her nails clawing weakly at the tile…but there was no way out…nowhere she could go. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. She couldn't see much through the gloom, but she could make out the lines of his body and the burning, blue color of his eyes.

Daryl didn't even flinch when the cool water hit him, he kept moving, advancing towards her. He could see that she was scared, and something about her fear aroused him. Twelve, long, miserable days and he'd finally cornered his prey; she couldn't get away from him now. As much as he wanted to touch her, taste her…and feel the warmth of her wrapped around him…Daryl had no intention of pushing Carol into something she wasn't ready for. So he stopped, when just inches remained between them. He stared hard at the woman in front of him and tried to control his breathing. "Jus tell me ya don't want it…" he growled. "And I'll leave."

"I'm scared…" Carol breathed, her eyes locked on his.

"Why?"

She swallowed hard, trying to sort out the jumbled reasons in her head. "What if this is too much…what if we end up…." But Daryl had heard enough.

He stepped into her space, his hand going to her sex. She shuddered as his fingertips toyed lightly with her..teasing her entrance. "You're thinkin' too much…." he whispered into the crook of her neck.

Carol could barely breathe. Suddenly, nothing mattered but his fingers. She wanted so badly for him to slip inside her…to feel one of those calloused fingertips pushing into her heat. Without thinking, her hips bucked down into his hand and a low growl escaped her. Daryl smirked against her skin and nipped lightly at her neck. "Tell me ya don't want it…" he breathed.

But she couldn't speak. All the reasons she'd come up with, for staying away from him…they seemed to melt away the instant he touched her. Daryl ran his middle finger along her slit without penetrating. "If you don't tell me to stop…" he bit down softly on her shoulder, making her whine. "I'm gonna keep touchin' ya."

Carol was panting as she stared down at his cock. Even in the dark, she could make out the size of it…the length. Lust was beginning take over, like some toxin in her bloodstream. She seemed to want everything at once…to feel him inside her…to taste him…to hold him in her hand and stroke him… Half-crazed with a need she'd been denying for twelve days, Carol bucked down into his hand again.

The hunter knew what she wanted, but she'd made him wait so long…and he felt that he'd earned the right to toy with her. Pulling away from the safety of her neck, he stared at her. Her wet skin glistened in the dark, the beads of moisture highlighting every curve and peak. He felt her hips move down into his hand, but he still wouldn't penetrate her. Instead, he let one finger travel up to her clit where he slowly began to rub her. Carol moaned behind locked lips. "Thought you was scared…" he whispered.

"I….I…" she tried to speak but couldn't.

Daryl was standing so close to her, and he loved the way her hips jerked when he circled her clit. He traced the throbbing nub a few more times, making slow circles and then slid his fingertip down, along her slit, and forced it inside her without warning. A sharp cry burst from Carol's lips and she brought her hand to her mouth, trying to contain any screams that threatened to escape. This is what her body had been craving. She didn't want to accept it, but it was true. She'd missed his touch…missed having him inside her. The hunter smirked as he pushed his finger up, deeper into her core. "You scared you're gonna come?" he asked as he curled his finger, hitting a spot that made her muscles clench around him.

Carol clamped her thighs together, trapping him inside her…but he wasn't done playing. He slipped his finger free with a grunt, making her moan at the loss. "Twelve days…" he growled, bracing his hands on the wall, on either side of her head.

She stared at him, confused, while her heart continued to pound in her chest. She already missed the hardness of his finger and could feel wetness between her legs that had nothing to do with water. "What?" she breathed.

Daryl eyed her body before meeting her gaze. "Twelve days since that goddamn chair…" his cock was painfully hard but he had to keep talking. She needed to understand what he'd been going through. "Twelve days since I been inside that pussy…ain't been able to think about nothin' else."

Carol couldn't believe the way he was talking to her. She watched the way his chest rose and fell with each breath…and his eyes drank in every inch of her frame. He was looking at her like he wanted to eat her. "I…I'm sorry…" she swallowed hard.

"Yeah?" he breathed, his eyes burning into hers.

She managed a nod. "I've been thinking about you too…" she admitted.

"That right?" he grunted, his hips bucking weakly as he fought the urge to attack her. His blunt nails were clawing at the slick wall.

She nodded again. "You….you gave me the most…" but she was silenced when his lips hit hers.

Daryl's head was cocked to the side as he kissed her hard, his tongue slipping into her mouth. They held the connection for several seconds and then broke apart gasping. "I know what I gave ya…" he growled against her lips, remembering the feeling of her climax washing out around him. "Been followin' your ass for twelve goddamn days tryin' to give it to ya again."

Carol's eyes closed as he kissed her again. Her hands went to his slick chest, and she ran them slowly up his body until she was clutching at his shoulders. Daryl groaned into her mouth and suddenly he was moving backwards, pulling her away from the wall. His hands were resting on her small waist as they stood kissing under the spray of the shower. The cool droplets seemed to invigorate them and they kept their bodies pressed together…the smooth skin of her stomach gliding against his, they could feel water running down over planes of muscle, and disappearing between Carol's breasts. The hunter was having trouble processing the feeling of her nipples against his body. He tightened his grip on her waist, his erection digging into her belly. The sensations were overwhelming and Daryl was convinced that he wouldn't be able to get enough of her. He bit at her lips and sucked her tongue, making her hips buck. Carol was kissing him with the enthusiasm of a teenager…her sweet, wet, tongue massaging his and he felt the head of his cock tighten. The longer they held the connection, the more aggressive Carol seemed to become. She sank her teeth into his bottom lip and clawed at his shoulders, making Daryl believe that he wasn't the only one who'd had a difficult twelve days. As much as he loved this eager, aggressive side of her, the hunter was determined to take the lead.

That day in her cell, she'd taken the initiative. She made the offer...she mounted him like a damn show pony, taking what she needed without hesitation and without apology. While the whole thing turned him on, he was eager to show her that he had needs too…and he wasn't afraid to take what he wanted from her. His hands moved suddenly to her ass where he gripped the flesh hard, pushing her against him. Carol gasped into his mouth and bucked her hips. They were both smirking against each other's lips and Daryl grunted, his hands cupping her, just under her ass. With one jerk, he pulled her up and those long, pale legs wrapped securely around his waist. Her sex was smothering his erection, but he didn't care. He needed to be close to her. Their bodies were slick with cold water and he had to fight to maintain his grip on her firm ass.

Carol's arms wound around his neck when he lifted her. She kissed him harder, slipping her tongue under his and feeling his cock jerk in response. Carol was sure, as they continued to taste one another, that she'd never felt anything this good. She loved being wrapped around his hard body…their skin glistening with water…her ankles locked together, just above his ass… She clung to that strong neck like it was her lifeline, her tongue dipping into his mouth again. He didn't even need to be inside her…as far as she was concerned, they could stay like that…kissing, licking one another, sucking at each other's lips until they both came. She was convinced that he could get her to climax just by pushing his tongue into her mouth. Carol felt more wetness hit her core and her hips rocked against his, making him groan. Daryl's hands were sliding from the backs of her thighs to her ass, where he squeezed her hard. It hurt…his fingers pressing into the claw marks that were still healing, but Carol wasn't about to make him stop. She wanted him to touch her…

It didn't matter how cold the water was, Daryl was lost in the feeling of Carol's mouth…her warm tongue…her soft breasts pressed to his chest…the strength of those long, tone legs she had locked around him, and the way her sex was pushed against his manhood. Up until the moment he leaned in and caught her mouth with his, the hunter hadn't realized how much he wanted to kiss her…how much he missed it. That afternoon in her cell, the sex had been incredible. They both came hard, sweating and cursing. But the kissing had been amazing in an entirely different way. The kisses gave him an excuse to get close to her…dangerously close. Using his lips and his tongue, Daryl felt that he could express things he'd never be able to say out loud. That day, in the chair, he wanted to thank her for the pleasure she brought him…he didn't know how to tell her what it meant, but he could show her. And now that they were finally together again, he found that he'd missed her taste…and he wanted to make sure she knew that. There was a low rumble in his chest as she sank her teeth into his bottom lip. Knowing that he couldn't wait any longer, Daryl slowly began walking her back towards the wall. His steps were careful as he tried to avoid slipping, but the kissing didn't stop. They were hungry for one another and Carol loved the feeling of his tongue exploring her mouth. She barely noticed that they were moving…

It was only when her back hit the slick wall that she opened her eyes and gasped. Droplets clung to her lashes but she blinked them away, staring hard into the eyes of her partner. The hunter dipped his head and let his tongue flick out against the skin of her neck. He could taste cool water and the salt of her sweat. Carol shivered, her nails clawing at his scalp, urging him to keep going. Daryl knew she wanted more, and he was eager to please. Without hesitation, he bit into the soft spot at the crook of her neck, making her jerk in his grasp. She was writhing, and whimpering against him, but he didn't stop. He let his teeth sink in to her flesh and then he began to suck hard, his tongue occasionally lapping at the now reddened skin.

As his mouth worked her neck, Carol could feel her walls opening. She clung desperately to his neck and bucked her hips against his.

That's what he wants….he wants to get me ready…

She let the sensations course through her….the raw lust, animal need… There were sharp, stabbing pains in her core as her sex brushed his hard cock. That's when she knew that she needed him inside her. The hunter was still greedily sucking her neck, making her weak, but then his strong hands were gripping the backs of her thighs, hoisting her up his body. Carol gasped at the forcefulness with which he handled her. They worked together, one of her legs remained curled around his mid-section while the other was pushed up. He held up that creamy, pale leg…his fingers curling around the back of her knee as he exposed her core. It was dark, and hard to see, but Daryl angled his hips...positioning himself. He wasn't sure it if was instinct, or sheer determination, but he was able to guide his cock to its goal. A long hiss escaped him when he felt the head of his member press against the heat of her sex. Carol whined, her hips rocking weakly…her slickness gliding over the blunt head of his dick. They were both panting, vibrating as he pulled away from her neck and stared into her eyes. As they clung to one another, Daryl licked his lips and swallowed hard. "This here's your last chance…" he growled, moving his hips just enough to apply a sweet pressure to her entrance. "Tell me ya don't want it…'n I'll stop."

All Carol could think about was his cock…and how she wanted it inside her. She knew then, with her eyes locked on his, and the pain in her center growing worse…she wasn't really alive without him. She was empty…just another survivor, going through the motions…living out of habit. But when he was with her…inside her, Carol felt startlingly awake and alive. He made her feel things she'd never experienced before…levels of longing and desire that seemed almost frightening in their intensity. A grey world, devoid of life, seemed to be suddenly flushed with vibrant color. With heightened senses, she took in the blue of his eyes, the taste of his skin, the feeling of his hands on her legs, the sound of his strained breathing and the blood rushing in her ears… She experienced all of it, with incredible clarity, and knew that she was finally living… Carol couldn't claim to know what the future held...she wasn't sure what they meant to one another. The one thing she did know was that they'd found themselves in the midst of a physical awakening. Maybe she was nothing more to him than a vessel….and maybe he was just a tool that she was using for her own selfish needs, but it didn't matter. They wanted one another, and there was nothing holding them back. There, in the gloom and isolation of the shower room, they could give in. They could take pleasure from each other, use one another until their bodies were spent. Nothing else mattered…it was only her, and him….electricity in their veins and shallow breaths passing their lips. Knowing that she couldn't deny her need any longer, Carol stared hard at the man looming over her. "I want it.." she breathed.

That was all it took. Daryl hoisted her leg up higher, opening her core, and then pushed himself inside. They both cried out when his engorged member slipped into the heat between her thighs. Her body slid down his shaft, her legs locking around his waist again while his hands returned to her thighs, holding her in place. He was completely buried in her core and her muscles were already massaging him. Her body seemed to welcome him in; he could feel the warm walls opening wider as she slowly sank down on him…until her pelvis was flush with his. Daryl closed his eyes, trying to savor the feeling of penetrating her.

Carol arched her back as she took him in. She could feel every solid inch of him filling her core, his veins rubbing against her walls. When she felt the tip of him push into her sex, Carol thought the sensation would be enough to make her come. He was everything her body needed. She was wet and her slickness helped him, the moisture gliding around his cock as he forced it inside. As he sank deeper and deeper, Carol felt that he might split her in half…she had to remind herself that she'd fucked him before…that she could handle it…but he was so big and it hurt her to have him inside. The pain didn't matter…it was good, it made her feel alive and she knew it would transform into incredible pleasure once they both started moving.

When Daryl felt that he couldn't push in any further, he let himself lean heavily against her…his body keeping her trapped against the wall. They were panting into each other's necks, adjusting to the feeling of being together again. The heat and pressure of her pussy was making Daryl restless and he worried that he wouldn't be able to restrain himself once they started. But he could feel how wet she was already…and her warm, shallow breaths were hitting his skin…. He wanted her to want this. Gritting his teeth, he slowly pulled back, the lower half of his shaft exposed while the rest remained inside her. Carol was clawing at the ends of his hair, her hips rocking, trying to coax him back into her core. But Daryl was in control. The moment he entered her, that body belonged to him and he was going to make it struggle.

He bit his lip and pushed back in slowly, letting her feel every part of his cock. She moaned, tugging sharply at his hair. The pace was going to drive the hunter crazy, but he wanted to toy with her. So he drew on his will power and continued to thrust lazily between her trembling legs. He growled at the feeling of those slick walls rubbing his cock, and all that warm flesh wrapped around him. He moved slowly, carefully…and kept his thrusts shallow, knowing that she would need more.

Carol had never been more frustrated in her life. She was wet, naked, offering him everything and he was treating her like she might break… She didn't understand. This was supposed to be about need. Carol wanted to feel all of him; she wanted him to push her as hard as he could…stretch her, claim her…but he seemed content to dip in and out of her aching core with absolutely no sense of urgency. She moaned and bucked against him. She needed him so badly that she couldn't help the desperate plea that fell from her lips. "Harder…"

Amused, Daryl eased back enough to look at her. "You want somethin?" he asked, his voice low and husky…his hips still moving between hers.

She nearly snarled, her nails digging into his shoulders while her core tightened around his shaft. "Harder…" she repeated.

The hunter leaned in, kissing her, his cock twitching within her walls. When he pulled away, his narrowed eyes were trained on her face. "Ya made me wait twelve days…" he growled under his breath.

Carol stared at him in disbelief. She could feel him pull back again, his member slipping out of her core…her insides clung to him, not wanting to let go. She didn't know what to say. He remained calm and pushed back in at a painfully slow pace. "How badly do ya want it?" he asked, licking his lips.

She was suffering. She needed to feel his cock pushing up into her center. All she could do was buck against him.

But the hunter just smirked at her. "Naw," he said. "Way I see it…" he licked his lips again. "This here's mine." He gave her a strong, sudden thrust that made her scream. Carol's muscles instantly began to convulse around him. "Ya keep these legs open for me, 'n ya keep that pussy wet…I'll give ya whatever ya want. But I ain't waitin' no twelve days to get inside ya again." His chest was heaving as he stared at her.

Carol couldn't believe the things he was saying to her…the demands he was making. But something about his voice made her core tremble, and the forcefulness only made her want him more. She was restless, impatient, and she needed him to keep going. So she leaned in, whispering against his lips. "Fuck me."

Daryl kissed her, sucking at her tongue, making her moan. When they broke for air, he was staring at her. "Fine…just so long as you know this ain't gonna be the last time."

Carol answered by bucking against him. The hunter didn't need further instruction. He gripped her thighs hard and thrust into her tight, heat, making her cry out. The broken sound echoed in his ears and he wanted to hear it again. He wanted to make her scream, cry, curse, whine..he wanted to drive her crazy. So he clenched his jaw and pumped his hips, working hard between her legs. Her heels were pressing into his ass, urging him to go deeper and he increased his speed, loving the feeling of her wetness sliding around him. He could feel his cock getting harder, swelling within her narrow passage but he wasn't stopping. He'd waited long enough to get inside her and he was going to enjoy every second.

Carol sank her teeth into her bottom lip and closed her eyes. Somehow, it was even better than she remembered. She didn't know if it was due to the fact that they were both naked…or that they were entirely alone and didn't have to worry about keeping quiet…but it was good. She arched her back, taking as much of him as she could…her nails raking from his shoulders, down his chest. The pain didn't seem to bother him. He was growling, nipping at her jaw line, kissing her neck, biting, sucking…as if he couldn't get enough of her…all the while her hips were moving deliciously against his. They each relished what they'd found in the other and Carol wondered how long they would last. He was moving faster, barely giving her time to take a breath between thrusts, and her heart was beating furiously in her chest. But she loved it…everything he did seemed to heighten her pleasure…the fluid motion of his hips between her legs, the firm grip he had on her thighs, the feeling of his wet scruff against her neck and the way his strong, hard body was keeping her pinned to the wall. He was so stiff insider her, and thickness of his shaft was stretching her…making her legs shake. She loved the way he filled her, and the friction he created with every push and pull…It was starting to make her dizzy.

Daryl was lost in her wet heat. He heard every little whimper..every breathy moan that passed her lips when he forced himself up into her core. She seemed to enjoy whatever he did and her enthusiasm was spurring him on. The hunter couldn't recall that last time he'd felt such freedom. He could grab whatever part of her he wanted…he could growl, cuss…fuck her as hard as he wanted..drilling himself into her pussy while she dug her nails into his skin… Her slick body was trapped under his and the control he seemed to have over her…over the whole situation…was giving him the most incredible high. He was the one to hound her…staring at her while they worked, thinking about her at night and finally stalking her in the dark like a damn wolf until he finally got her where he wanted her. It took him twelve days, but he managed to get her right where she belonged, naked, underneath him. As he worked her body, Daryl was filled with a sense of power and dominance. He was staking a claim, marking his territory with every jerk of his hips. Snarling through clenched teeth, he squeezed her thighs and pushed harder…using all his strength to fuck right into her center. He sank into her depths, savoring the slick warmth that waited for him. Her walls were clenching him tighter now and he knew she was close.

Carol was fighting for air. She felt as though she were losing her mind, coming unglued as he moved faster. The feeling of his long, throbbing cock forcing her walls open and slipping into the deepest parts of her was making Carol's mouth dry. He was in control of her body…he seemed to possess her and she didn't mind. Everything she had was his for the taking. So she bucked wildly against him, meeting him stroke for stroke, making them both moan. She wound her arms around his neck, pulling their bodies closer so she could bite down on his collar bone. The sensation made his dick jerk and he began thrusting harder. He sucked her ear lobe and held it between his teeth as they continued to move together. "I wanna feel ya come." he whispered, her flesh still caught in his teeth.

She nodded, her eyes slamming shut as she focused on the feeling of him inside her. She thought about how hard he was and her walls began to twitch. She remembered the way it felt when he came…the sudden burst of warmth between her legs as he let go that day in her cell. It was all so feral…carnal, reckless…and Carol found herself craving that warmth again. She wanted to feel his orgasm…have him fill her… His body was pounding desperately into hers and the head of his cock was teasing her cervix with each push, making her ache…as if she couldn't contain him. Her walls had grown so slick and he slid easily in and out of her pussy, grunting as he moved inside her. His speed and momentum continued to build and Carol felt herself losing control. Nothing mattered but him and what he was doing to her… She hissed as she clung to his neck "Yessss…."

"C'mon" he snapped at her.

"Trying…." she gasped. "I….just….need…"

But he already knew. Her body was trembling, vibrating around him and her heels were pressing hard into his ass. He almost had her and he wasn't going to let up until she finished. So he bit into her neck, making her scream. Without releasing her neck, he thrust harder and deeper, searching for the spot that held all her tension. He moved back and forth, pushing up into that tight, narrow core…his hard-on going so deep that he knew it had to hurt her. But she kept moving with him, her body seeking release…walls opening and closing around him. As he fucked her, Daryl could feel his own climax building. If he didn't break her soon, he was going to come. So he closed his eyes and focused on the warm, wet flesh…the incredible suction between their bodies…the way her pussy seemed to draw him in, as deep as it could…letting him feel that place in her center that no one had ever reached before. It felt right…natural for him to be inside her and he was savoring every motion of their hips. All he wanted was for her to hit her peak, and he knew that he could get her there. He felt his cock get harder…the shaft growing and swelling inside her, and he forced it as far as it would go, thrusting like an animal with no restraint. He hit the top of her and felt her entire body grow rigid. Her legs were locked so tightly around him and her hand had formed a fist in his hair…tugging violently. Carol threw her head back, her body arching into him and her mouth open in a silent scream as a powerful orgasm struck, stealing the air from her lungs. Her core flooded and the muscles began to constrict, almost painfully around Daryl's manhood.

When the hunter felt her insides quiver, and felt the rush of warm wetness coating his cock, he growled, ramming his hips into hers. Her body shuddered with each thrust, but she didn't have the strength to resist him. She was still lost in her own ecstasy and Daryl was free to be as fast and rough as he wanted. He hissed at the sensation of moving his dick in and out of her already trembling pussy. She was so wet and soft and he loved the way she felt, clenching and releasing him as she worked through her orgasm.

"Keep….going…" she groaned weakly, her eyes still closed.

Eager to oblige, Daryl continued fucking her….his cock now jerking and leaking each time he pushed inside. The head was getting painfully tight and the shaft was so hard but if she wanted him to keep going, he would do it. So he pushed and pulled, muttering curses into her skin and clawing at her thighs. The wetness that was gliding around him was driving him crazy and he felt like he needed to let go but then something changed. Carol's hips started to move again, slowly at first…then faster. Her already slick core was tightening all over again and Daryl's lips parted when he realized what was happening. She was going to come again… His head was spinning as his body worked to satisfy her. He wanted so badly to give her whatever she needed, but it was too much. The desperate moans falling from her lips…the motion of her body and the way she clung to him. Daryl only had so much strength and his resolve was crumbling each time her pussy squeezed him. She clenched and unclenched, walls opening and closing… The very next time her body opened up, the hunter knew he had to seize the opportunity. Her walls welcomed him and he thrust his manhood fiercely into her tight passage…she constricted around him and the sensation was overwhelming. Daryl bucked wildly, fucking her, releasing all the tension that had been trapped inside him for twelve days. His cock pulsed and throbbed inside her, sending a gush of semen up into her core. Somewhere, in the haze and delirium of his climax, the hunter felt more wetness seeping from her…and her walls were quivering around him. As he fought to catch his breath and remain standing, Daryl realized something.

She came again…

The corner of his mouth quirked up in smug satisfaction while the rest of his body ached and throbbed in the aftermath of orgasm. His hips were still bucking weakly as he emptied his seed into her pussy. She helped, her muscles squeezing him...coaxing his pleasure from him until he was too weak to move. The blood gradually stopped rushing in their ears and they could hear the soft spray of the shower…droplets striking the floor. They were both feeling somewhat disoriented and Daryl needed to sit down. Carefully and slowly, he lowered them both to the ground, his sedated cock slipping from between her legs. They both groaned as they sat on the cold floor and struggled to get their bearings. Carol had her knees raised and she clamped her legs shut, savoring lingering pulses of pleasure in her core.

The last time they'd been together, Carol suspected that she might have come a second time…but there in the shower room…the sheer ecstasy she'd experienced left no room for doubt…he'd given her two orgasms, in rapid succession…compounding her pleasure.

Jesus christ…

Carol brought a hand to her temple and released a heavy sigh of satisfaction. Before the haircut, Carol didn't even think it was possible to have two climaxes, so close together.

Fuck…

All she wanted was to drink a glass of water, fall into her bunk, and sleep for the next ten hours. Suddenly remembering her partner, Carol pushed the wet hair back from her forehead and stared at him through the gloom. He sat just a few inches away, his legs crossed. He was leaning forward, his head in his hands as he waited for his breathing to slow. Knowing that they needed a few minutes to cool off, but that neither of them had the strength to stand, Carol made herself crawl towards him. The instant she moved, she could feel a powerful ache between her legs…but the soreness was a small price to pay to for such intense pleasure.

He lifted his chin when he heard her moving. She reached his side and placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him onto his back. Without the strength to resist, the hunter reclined, grunting when he felt the slick floor at his back. Carol smiled, easing down to lay on her side, right next to him. They stared at one another, lazy smiles on their faces. Lying on the floor, beneath the spray of water, Daryl and Carol let the chilled droplets pelt their skin. There was something soothing about the water…it was almost as if they'd been caught in the rain. They blinked when it clung to their lashes, and brought their hands up to wipe it from their eyes but they were both too weak to move.

One arm was folded behind Daryl's head, while the other rested on his stomach. His chest rose and fell as his breathing continued to slow. His eye were fixed on the woman beside him and she stared back…each of them seemingly fascinated with the other. After what seemed like an eternity, the hunter finally felt like he could speak. "So…" he growled softly.

Carol chuckled. She was propped on one elbow, watching him. "So…" she echoed.

He smirked, eyeing her breasts for a moment. "How was it?"

She felt herself blush. "It was good."

Daryl was tempted to laugh. "And to think your ass wasn't gonna give me the time of day…"

Carol sighed, running a hand through her wet hair. "You don't know that…"

"Sure as hell made me work for it." he said.

"I was just worried about distracting you…well, both of us…" she admitted.

"Right." he huffed. "Cuz it ain't like I been distracted all this time anyhow..."

She chuckled again and they fell into a comfortable silence, each of them listening to the spray of the shower. After several minutes, Daryl felt the need to say something. He nudged her leg with his foot. "Hey."

She bit the corner of her lip and smirked at him. "What?"

The hunter rolled onto his side so that he could face her. "All that talk before...'bout you keepin' your legs open…" he paused, trying to collect his thoughts. "I'm sorry…ain't got a right to talk to ya like that…I was just riled…that's all."

Carol brows knit together as she studied him. "Daryl…"

But he bowed his head and forced himself to keep going. "Ain't got no claim on ya. You decide ya don't want this…just say so. I'll leave ya be. Ya don't owe me nothin'."

Carol could see that that the statements were weighing on him…the things he'd growled against her lips in a fit of lust and passion… Something in her expression softened and she reached out, tucking a strand of wet hair behind his ear. "I owed you an explanation…" she whispered, making him look at her. "After what happened in my cell…I had no right to cut you out…I never should've avoided you. It was on both of us but I made the decision alone. I was only doing what I thought was best… When I should've just come clean…I should've told you what I was thinking from the start." Her fingertips lingered on the damp skin just below his ear.

The hunter ran one hand along her curves, following the line of her body. He felt the slick skin, gliding beneath his palm as he moved it from her shoulder…down, along her side, all the way to her hip. She closed her eyes, groaning softly at the feeling of his hand on her body. "I'm still sorry…" he said, his voice low. "Can't believe I said all that shit…surprised you didn't smack my dumb ass…I ain't got a right to talk about your damn pussy…"

Carol couldn't help but chuckle. "It's fine." she said, smirking at him.

"Sayin' you ain't mad?" he asked, hopeful, his hand still resting on her hip.

She answered by leaning in and catching his bottom lip between her teeth; she held the tender flesh for half a heartbeat before letting go and meeting his gaze. "I'm not mad," she whispered.

Daryl's tongue darted out over his lip, soothing the spot she'd just bitten.

"And between you and me…" she added, grabbing his hand and guiding him until he was cupping her sex. "This does belong to you." She bucked against his hand.

The hunter was staring at her in disbelief. "You sure about that?"

She nodded, chuckling. She was still propped on one elbow and her eyebrow arched as she watched him. "You see me giving anyone else haircuts?"

It was Daryl's turn to smirk. He toyed gently with the sweet spot between her legs…his fingertips exploring. "Ain't tryin' to push this on ya…."

Carol snorted in amusement. "Sure. You're just following me into the shower at night…"

The hunter's hand moved back to her hip and he pulled her body flush against his, his eyes lingering on her mouth. "Ain't ya glad I did?" he growled softly.

She grinned, kissing his jaw. There was a low rumble coming from his chest and then their lips met…tongues probing, seeking entrance. When they broke for air, their breathing had picked up and they were smirking at one another. Carol licked her lips, tasting him there. "I'm not one to brag…" she laughed lightly. "But we're pretty good at this." she slid one of her legs up between his, her knee nearly brushing his groin.

Daryl moved so that he could suck at her neck. "Think we're better than good…" he muttered against her skin.

She smiled, wondering how in the hell they ended up cold, naked and wet…lying tangled together on the shower room floor…the weak spray of water falling lightly across their exhausted, aching bodies. The feeling of his mouth, sucking hard at her neck, was making Carol bite her lip. "Guess it would be a shame to stop…" she said, sighing happily.

Daryl grunted into the crook of her neck. "Damn shame…" After kissing and licking her bruised skin, he pulled back and met her gaze. "You gonna make me wait another twelve days?"

Carol shook her head slowly, smirking at him. "No…I'm not."

The hunter didn't know what to say…part of him had been sure that she would turn him down when he first entered the wash room…he'd hoped for answers, physical contact of some sort…but he never expected things to turn out like this. He didn't think they'd wind up curled on the floor together…or that he'd get to lie with her, watching the clear beads of water roll down between her breasts. He must've been lost in his own head because suddenly she was clearing her throat to get his attention. "Hm?" he asked, lifting his chin to look at her.

"By the way…." she chuckled, biting the corner of her lip as a flush spread across her cheeks. "It's thirteen."

A crease formed in Daryl's brow. "What?" he asked, confusion plain in his voice.

Carol bucked her hips weakly against his. "It's been thirteen days since your haircut…" she explained, smirking at him.

The hunter's lips parted in awe. "What…how did….?"

But she didn't let him finish. Instead, Carol reached for his hair, tangling her fingers in the dark locks. "You weren't the only one counting…" she whispered, using her grip to pull his mouth to hers.

I know! It was a little longer than the others, but this was a challenging request and I wanted to do it justice, so it took some time to work out the kinks. I hope you liked it Scifi Riot : ) I certainly gave it my best shot! As always, I had fun with this and I hope you guys did too! I write my requests in the order they're received, just to be fair…so rest assured, if I haven't posted yours, I'm working on it! If you liked this chapter, please tell me why in the reviews. How was the character interaction, was it funny at all? Did I do alright with the cuteness factor? I wanna hear your thoughts, so please review : ) xoxo

-Sami