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!

11. Heat

Hello again! So glad to be back : ) I know that the last few chapters were kinda intense with the drama and the feels, so I wanted to lighten things up a little. I haven't forgotten about your requests, but this idea popped into my head and I haven't been able to shake it, so I thought I'd jot it down and see what you guys think : ) This will be on the playful side - think fun and flirty, in our traditional Walking Dead universe ; ) True one-shot; not connected to haircut mini-series (but there will be more of that later). This is set during the time at the prison. Our favorite couple takes a little hunting trip - enjoy! Keep those cold drinks handy ; ) It's long, but worth it!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Walking Dead….sad, right?!

Chapter 11: Heat

Rick and Carol stood in the yard, their fingers clinging loosely to the fence. As the sun beat down on their backs, the two survivors stared out at the tree-line, both of them searching for the same thing. It was just past noon, and Daryl had been out since before dawn. Rick and Carol understood the necessity for the hunter's long absences, but they both grew uneasy when he didn't make it back by noon. So they lingered together, watching and waiting, just beside the gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of their companion.

The prison wasn't the same cold, filthy structure that the survivors stumbled upon during the first few weeks of winter. The place had undergone an incredible transformation, and now housed more than fifty people. With the addition of the Woodbury refugees, the prison began to feel more like a home than some temporary shelter. The residents worked together; clearing cell-blocks, fortifying the fences, and even getting down on their hands and knees to scrub the blood-stains from the concrete floors. It wasn't easy, but things were slowly falling into place.

As Carol's fingers clung to the fence, she smiled softly to herself. Just a few months ago, the strained, rasping moans of the dead were the only sounds to be heard…but now… The prison was filled with life. They'd fashioned a pig pen, which now held a sow along with a dozen piglets…there were fruit and vegetable gardens nearby, which seemed to be thriving under Herschel's care…and there was noise…so much wonderful noise. Carol could hear kids in the distance…running, playing, shouting…sounds she didn't realize she'd missed so badly. She could hear people talking, working and laughing. Somewhere in the background, a small group had gathered near the outdoor canteen, and Carol knew that Beth must be fixing meals. The normalcy of it all was almost surreal, but Carol allowed herself to smile and appreciate it, if only for the moment. She needed distractions as she waited for Daryl to get back.

Rick's voice stirred her from her thoughts. "Seems like he stays out there longer every time."

Carol glanced at the deputy and sighed. "Yeah. It does."

Rick scratched absently at his jaw. "He hasn't been comin' back with much either."

Carol rubbed the back of her neck while she absorbed Rick's words; the man was right. As the weather grew warmer, and spring gave way to summer, Daryl's hunts seemed to be less fruitful. She wondered what was causing the change. It was a concern that all the members of Rick's original group shared, but none of them were brave enough to confront Daryl about it. Before Carol could offer up a response, she and Rick both snapped their heads up. Their eyes narrowed as they scanned the surrounding area for movement…

Carol's breath caught when she finally spotted the hunter. He stepped out of the trees, glancing left and right…searching for any threats, as he always did before moving into the open.

"At least he's back," said Rick; the man allowed himself to breathe a small sigh of relief.

"I'll get the gate." said Carol.

The deputy nodded before returning his attention to the man beyond the fence. With narrowed eyes, Rick noticed that Daryl didn't have any big game with him. A string of squirrels was bouncing on the hunter's hip as he jogged towards the prison, and Rick thought he saw the limp body of a rabbit tied along with the other rodents.

It ain't enough…

Despite the gardens they'd cultivated, and the pigs, which Rick was determined to save until winter, the prison always seemed to be lacking in food. They got by with small portions, and everyone helped with rationing supplies, but since they'd added to their numbers, the demand for food seemed to get higher and higher. There were children to consider…elderly residents, and Rick didn't want anyone going without. He knew it was too much of a burden for one man to bare, and he tried not to pressure Daryl, but the hunter was just about the only person who had any idea how to go about catching and cleaning animals. The deputy made a mental note to have Daryl teach him, and the others, how to clean carcasses…just to cut down on some of the workload. He could hear the creaking and groaning as Carol worked to open the gate.

The hunter greeted her with a slight nod as he jogged into the yard. She nodded back and then grunted with the effort of closing the gate behind him. Carol paused, wiping a little sweat from her brow, before she moved to join her companions. The three survivors stood in the yard while Daryl worked to catch his breath.

"So," Carol asked, her arms folding across her chest. "How'd it go out there?"

Daryl reached up, pushing some of the damp, tangled hair back from his brow. "Fine." he huffed.

Rick and Carol both eyed the string of rodents hanging at his hip, but neither of them said anything.

As if he could hear their thoughts, Daryl glared at both of them in turn. "What?" he snapped. "Ya'll got somethin' to say then go on 'n say it."

Rick stood with his hands on his hips and braced himself. Daryl had gotten better at interacting with people…he wasn't the same sullen, caged animal he'd been back at the quarry…but his fuse was still fairly short, and he was more likely to lash out at those he knew best…Rick, Carol, Glenn…the rest of the Atlanta survivors…they were safe outlets for him.

"Just seems like you haven't been comin' across any big game lately." said Rick, his green eyes fixed on the hunter.

Daryl's temper flared, and he hefted the bow on his back…his fist tightening around the thick strap. Rick's statement had been innocent enough, but Daryl couldn't help but feel as though his manhood was being questioned. He'd always felt that hunting, providing, was his contribution to the group…the thing that made him worth keeping around. If he couldn't even manage to feed his people, Daryl wasn't sure what purpose he served. He knew he was being foolish, that he had a place at the prison…a family, but his anger was getting the best of him, and Rick's words stung…the accusation pricking at his pride. Hot words were burning on the tip of his tongue, but before he could speak, something stopped him. There was a gentle pressure on his shoulder and he turned suddenly, to find Carol staring at him.

"Hey," she said, letting her hand linger on his shoulder. "He didn't mean anything. If there's nothing out there, then we'll make do."

Daryl eyed her hand for a moment and then shrugged her off, stepping away. Carol sighed softly as her arm fell limp at her side. The hunter gnawed the corner of his lip and fidgeted with the crossbow strap; he could feel his friends' eyes on him, and knew he had to offer up some sort of explanation. Feeling some of the anger dissipate, he blew out a breath and lifted his chin, meeting Rick's gaze.

"It's the heat." he growled. "I try to get out there early as I can…but they just ain't there. No deer…no hogs. When the weather gets like this…they spend their time holed up…hidin', tryin' to stay outta the sun. I'm thinkin' they're movin' deeper into the woods."

Rick nodded slowly; Daryl's words made sense. The heat had been intense lately…the white-hot sun blinding the survivors as they stepped out of the prison and into the yard each morning. And the air was thick with humidity…it hung heavy around them…an unseen force pressing in, making them sweat even when they were standing still.

"Guess you're right," said the deputy. He turned, glancing out at the wilderness beyond the fences.

Daryl hefted the bow on his back and kicked softly at the ground. "I been thinkin'…"

"Yeah?" said Rick.

"I could take a couple days…head out there," Daryl paused, gesturing to the wood-line. "With more time, I got a better chance of comin' across somethin'."

A crease was forming in Carol's brow as she listened. She didn't like the idea of anyone, let alone Daryl, spending several nights away from the prison. She knew he was more than capable of looking after himself, but still…it seemed foolish to risk going into the woods…into the thick of the forest, alone…for days. Her arms were folded across her chest and she had to bite her tongue. She wanted to wait and see what Rick thought of the whole thing.

The deputy sighed again, one hand coming up to rub his temple. "How long were ya thinkin'?" Rick asked.

With one hand on his hip, Daryl glanced out at the trees in the distance. "Just a couple days. That's all."

Rick slowly began to pace. He didn't like it. He wanted his best people to stick close to the prison. The governor was still a threat as far as the deputy was concerned, and he didn't intend to be caught off-guard if the man ever decided to pay another visit. Daryl was one of the prison's strongest fighters, and letting the man go would make them all vulnerable. But he couldn't deny the need for food. Running a hand through his hair, Rick met Daryl's gaze. "You sure about this?"

Daryl answered with a soft grunt and nodded. "I just need time. That's all."

Rick stopped pacing. "Fine. You have three days. If you're not back by then…we're sendin' a team out. You take whatever weapons you need. I'll make sure Beth gets you squared away with some food, and I'm gonna see where Glenn stored the tents. I'm tellin' you…" he moved into Daryl's space and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. "Three days. We clear?"

The two men locked eyes. "We're good," Daryl answered with a low growl.

"Alright then," said Rick, giving him another clap on the shoulder. "Go on 'n cool off. Want ya to show me 'n Glenn how to clean those carcasses later."

Daryl nodded and then glanced over his shoulder at Carol. His gaze lingered on her, as if he was waiting for her to say something. If he was being honest with himself, he was surprised that she hadn't spoken up when he shared his plan. Carol wasn't afraid of saying what she thought, and he figured she would at least have some objection…but she'd remained silent. When he sensed that she wasn't going to say anything else, Daryl turned and started jogging across the yard, towards the prison.

Once the man was out of earshot, Rick eyed Carol. "Well?" he asked, "What did you think of all that?"

Carol blew out a breath and shrugged. The two of them fell into step beside one another as they slowly began walking towards the prison.

"Tellin' me you don't care one way or the other? That it?" he asked.

She huffed, but refused to meet her friend's gaze. Carol chose to focus on the grey building in the distance. The one that would surely seem empty…and quieter, without Daryl… "I think it's stupid." she said matter-of-factly. "I think he should reconsider spending his nights and days out there…alone. I know he thinks he's invincible, but he's not. And I'm trying to figure out why you would give him the green light, when we need him here…" Carol was worried, but she wasn't about to let that show, so she masked her concerns with a frustrated tone.

Rick rubbed the back of his head while one hand remained on his hip. "Who said he's going alone?" the deputy asked.

Carol stopped suddenly and glanced at her companion, a crease forming in her brow. "You gonna send a team?" she asked, genuinely confused.

The deputy looked around the yard before refocusing on Carol. "No. I don't think we can spare the man-power just yet."

The crease in Carol's brow was getting deeper. "Then what exactly do you plan to do?" she asked.

"You didn't really think I was gonna send him out there alone, did you?"

Carol didn't understand.

"You're goin' with him." said the deputy. He didn't even give her a chance to respond. He simply nodded, as if the decision had been finalized, and resumed walking.

Carol was left standing in the yard, dumbfounded for several seconds. She blinked, trying to process what her leader had just told her. It took her a moment to realize that she'd been left behind, and she called out as she hurried to catch up to him. "Hey! Wait…" When she fell back into step beside him, Carol grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. "Come again?" she said, her eyes trained on his face.

Rick was tempted to laugh, but he kept himself in check. "That a problem?" he asked.

Carol blinked again, surprised by the question. "A problem?" she echoed, shaking her head. "No Rick, of course it's not…If you need me to go, I'll go but…"

"But what?" Rick asked.

She sighed, letting her hand fall away from his arm. "Why me?"

The deputy studied her. "You know how to keep quiet, you're one of our best shots, 'n you two seem to work well together. I trust you to keep him from getting killed out there."

Carol let the words wash over her. They were all true…but it still seemed strange to hear them coming from Rick. "You sure about this?" she asked.

"I am. I know he's taken you out there before." Rick gestured back towards the fences.

She followed her leader's gaze and remembered how nervous she'd been when Daryl first lead her into the woods. She'd been with him a handful of times, helping him check traps and carry back game…when his hunts had been more successful. It was eerie, leaving the prison behind and disappearing in the cool shade of the forest. She and Daryl always stayed as quiet as they possibly could, not wanting to attract the attention of animals, walkers…or whatever else might be hiding out there. But the more she tagged along, the less afraid Carol became. She supposed, all things considered, that her joining Daryl on his upcoming trip wasn't the strangest suggestion Rick had ever made.

"I have one issue with this," said Carol. "And it's a small one…" she brought her thumb and forefinger together, trying to emphasize just how tiny her concern was…

"What's that?" Rick asked, smirking a little.

"I don't recall Daryl agreeing to this…in fact, and correct me if I'm wrong…" she said, "I don't think you brought it up at all…"

"Ya saw him." said Rick. "He was already pissed. I didn't want him throwin' a fit out here in front of everyone. I'm gonna talk to him about it later…give him some time to cool down."

Carol snorted. "So you're just delaying the inevitable… is that it?"

Rick cracked a smile, his hands on his hips. "Unless you wanna do it for me?"

She shook her head and sighed. "I'll pass." she chuckled. After the light laughter died down, Carol reached up to run a hand through her mussed hair. "And if he says no?" she asked, eyeing her leader.

Rick's brows knit together; he hadn't really considered that. "Then he stays." said the deputy, shrugging his shoulders.

Carol couldn't help it, she laughed again. "You really think it's that simple?"

Rick nodded. "Yeah; I do. Either he's willin' to take someone, for back-up, or he's stayin' here. No one goes out alone, not overnight. You know that."

She released a small sigh and shook her head slowly. "I guess you've got it all figured out then."

The deputy smirked at her. "I think I do."

With that, Carol and Rick resumed their trek to the prison…both of them wondering how things would play out once Daryl learned about this new development in his plan.

The sun had finally dipped below the horizon line, leaving a purple sky in its wake. The world was slowly blanketed in darkness, but the shadows offered little relief from the heat. Daryl was lying on his bedroll, on the perch, and trying desperately to block out the noise all around him. He could hear the others down in the mess hall. Some of them were still eating, but most were helping to clear dishes and clean up the makeshift kitchen. Those who had children were heading to their cells and bedding down with their families for the night. Daryl had endured an exceptionally frustrating, tiring day, and all he wanted was a moment to himself…some time to unwind and process what Rick had told him earlier that evening.

You're taking Carol…

He'd been angry…surprised when Rick cornered him in the mess hall, making the proposal. It wasn't that Daryl had an issue with the woman. Truth be told, he got along with her…probably better than he did with anyone else in the prison, aside from Rick…but he didn't want to be responsible for anyone else. It was one thing when the two of them stuck close to the prison, only venturing into the woods for a few hours to collect game from the traps. But the idea of taking another person out with him, on a trip that could last several days, made Daryl uneasy. It was dangerous, and he didn't feel the need to drag anyone else into his mess. It was his job to provide food, not Carol's. But Rick didn't seem interested in arguing. Daryl needed his leader's blessing, and if taking someone along was the only way to make the trip happen, than the hunter was willing to do it. He was annoyed by the fact that Rick didn't seem to trust him to go alone, but he kept those feelings to himself, knowing that petty complaints weren't going to get him anywhere.

Frustrated, and thoroughly exhausted, Daryl had finished his meal as quickly as possible and then stormed up the metal stairs to his perch. He'd collapsed on his bedroll, not wanting anyone or anything to bother him until the next morning….but those hopes proved to be in vain. He couldn't have been lying there for more than thirty minutes before he heard footsteps approaching. The intruder stopped just short of his bedroll. Daryl was on his back, one arm draped lazily across his forehead and his eyes were closed. He had one leg raised, bent at the knee, and he could feel someone watching him. Knowing that it could only be her, he sighed through his nose and tried to summon his patience…but he was finding he didn't have much to spare.

"What?" he asked, without opening his eyes.

Carol's arms were folded across her chest as she stared down at him. "You have a minute?" she asked.

Daryl snorted. They were in the middle of the damn apocalypse…humanity had come to a screeching halt….they had all the time in the world. "I ain't goin' nowhere, if that's what you're askin'." he grumbled. "Go on 'n say your peace."

Carol's mouth quirked up into the makings of a smile. She wasn't entirely sure why, but she found Daryl's frustration amusing. Easing down, Carol sat on the end of his bedroll.

He tensed, propping himself up on his elbows the minute she sat down. "Just make yourself at home then," he groused.

Carol chuckled. "I'm sorry. Should I leave?" she asked, her eyes locked on his.

Daryl scooted back, putting a little distance between the two of them. He knew that she was doing it on purpose…invading his space. "Just say what ya gotta say." he huffed. The hunter sat up, hugging his knees as he waited for her to speak.

"I just wanted you to know," she said. "I had nothing to do with this. It was all Rick's idea."

She was staring at him, her blue eyes fixed on his, and there was a slight smile on her mouth. Daryl held her gaze. The longer he stared, the less angry he felt. He realized that he couldn't stay mad at her when she was looking at him like that…and he knew she was telling the truth. Carol never made a habit of crowding him, and he was sure she hadn't volunteered for this little expedition….she was only doing what her leader asked. But Daryl felt that he'd earned the right to tease her.

"That right?" he asked.

Carol blinked, her lips parting. "What, you don't believe me?" she asked.

Daryl shrugged, averting his gaze. He feigned interest in a small stain on his bedroll, and waited for her reaction.

Carol didn't even think about it as she inched closer to him, her hand going to rest on his shin. "Hey," she said, trying to get his attention. "You think I wanted this? You think I wanna spend three days out there, in this miserable heat, babysitting you?"

Daryl could hear the irritation creeping into her voice, and there was something satisfying about it. He shrugged again, refusing to look up at her.

She swatted his leg. "Hey," she snapped. "It wasn't my call."

The hunter finally met her gaze, a slight smirk on his mouth. "I'm sure it wasn't" he growled softly.

Carol was losing her patience, but she tried not to let it show. Her hand was still clutching loosely at his shin, and she was reluctant to let go. Daryl didn't seem to mind the contact, which struck her as odd. The two of them had developed a friendship. Somewhere between the farm, and the prison, they'd learned to trust one another, and neither of them would ever admit it, but they enjoyed each other's company. They'd grown so comfortable with one another that the two of them didn't hesitate to argue, tease, or compete whenever an opportunity arose. Carol felt some of her frustration melting away as she stared at the smirk on his mouth. She couldn't help but to think back to their first night at the prison…the way she'd teased him as the two of them stood on top of that overturned bus. He'd dismissed her comments with a snort and a roll of his eyes, and Carol had laughed, but the more she thought about it…the more convinced she became that she hadn't been joking…at least not entirely. She wondered if Daryl ever thought about that night…that short-lived conversation… She knew it was silly. There were too many other things to focus on…she didn't have time to waste entertaining ridiculous thoughts…and yet, they managed to creep into her head every so often…like they were doing right then.

In that moment, with her hand still on his leg, and his eyes on hers, Carol suddenly realized exactly what it was that she'd agreed to… She was going to be with him, only him, for days…and that thought intrigued her. Gripping his shin just a little tighter, Carol continued to stare at him. "You don't seem too broken up about it." she said, smiling.

"About what?" Daryl asked, his lids were heavy as he held her gaze.

Carol's fingers were curling around him and she could feel the hard muscle of his calf beneath his clothes. "Me tagging along." she said.

Daryl seemed to notice, for the first time, that she was touching him….but he didn't have the words to tell her to stop. He was still hugging his knees and they were still watching one another…each of them waiting for the other to speak. Daryl broke the silence with a huff. "Last thing I want is your scrawny ass followin' me around the damn woods while I'm trackin'."

"Oh yeah?" Carol asked, one eyebrow arching. "Would you rather have someone else out there? Since Rick isn't about to let you go alone?"

The hunter wasn't thinking clearly, and the question caught him off guard.

Carol was smirking at the slightly dazed look on his face. She wasn't sure what was happening between the two of them, but it was making her warm. "Daryl?" she said, trying to pull him from his temporary trance.

The hunter blinked, and gnawed the corner of his lip.

"You okay?" she asked, chuckling.

Daryl reached up to rub his tired eyes and wondered why Carol always managed to get under his skin.

"Where's your head at?" she asked, trying to figure out what had gotten into him.

The hunter stared at her but couldn't figure out how to answer…so he said the words within the safety of his own mind.

Somewhere it shouldn't be…

The honesty surprised him. He'd grown so used to hiding…keeping others at arm's length…and he'd always preferred isolation. But there, on his perch with the woman who'd become his friend, his ally…Daryl could admit that something about her intrigued him. He couldn't name it…identify it…but he knew it was there. It was the only reason he was allowing her hand to linger on his leg… The only reason he hadn't forced her to leave… Realizing that it was all too much to sort through then and there, Daryl sighed and hugged his knees a little tighter.

"You never answered my question," said Carol. "Should I ask Rick to find you another babysitter, or you think you can stand me for a few days?" she teased.

"Guess I could do worse than your scrawny ass." he growled softly, his eyes flicking to her face.

Carol felt herself get even warmer. The playfulness wasn't new. They'd shared more than a few watch shifts, and Carol liked to goad him to pass the time. Normally, it felt pretty one-sided, but tonight…he seemed to be reciprocating, which surprised her. Unprepared for the feelings he was stirring inside her, Carol finally released his leg, letting her hand drop to the flimsy bedroll beneath them.

"I'll take that as a compliment," she said, trying to keep herself from blushing.

A smirk was tugging at the corner of Daryl's mouth.

Carol held his gaze for a few more heartbeats before she moved to stand.

"Where ya goin'?" he asked….only realizing how stupid the question sounded after the words had already tripped off the end of his tongue.

Wherever the fuck she wants to go…ya got no say in how that woman spends her time…

Daryl was chiding himself as he watched her stand.

She smiled down at him as she tried to smooth some of the wrinkles in her cargo pants. "Well, If you must know…I was going to wash up before bed."

It was the hunter's turn to get warm.

"You might wanna consider doing the same," she said.

Daryl looked up at her, his brows kitting together.

"You're disgusting," she chuckled, eyeing his clothes…he wore the same filthy shirt and tattered pants that he'd had on all day. His clothes were flecked with drops of dried blood..the knees of his pants were torn, the fabric smeared with mud and dirt…and he was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

The hunter snorted before pushing himself up off the bedroll. He stood and circled her slowly, looking her up and down. "So are you." he finally said.

Carol tried to look offended, but knew it wasn't working. Her hair was mussed…her shirt stained with sweat, and her ratty pants were too big on her, they hung low on her hips. She'd helped in the garden that afternoon and knew she must have dirt on her face. But none of that mattered.

"Is that what you really think?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest.

Daryl moved past her and leaned forward, his elbows resting on the railing. After a few seconds of deep consideration, he glanced at her. "Filthy." he said, smirking at her.

Carol stood beside him, mimicking his pose and they both stared down at the cell block below. "You're worse." she said, without looking at him.

The hunter snorted again. "Not by much." he chuckled.

Carol laughed at that and the two of them enjoyed the moment. Neither of them would ever say it out loud, but they were both grateful for these little escapes. They could let their guards down, laugh, and forget about the baggage they carried. Running a hand through her hair, Carol glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Well, as much as I'd like to keep arguing over which one of us is more disgusting, I really do need to get cleaned up." she said.

"Go on then, ya done took up enough of my time." he said, eyeing her. They were both still leaning on the railing.

She smiled at him. "Get some rest. I assume we're heading out early tomorrow?"

He nodded. "Soon as we can."

"Sounds good." said Carol, as she pushed away from the railing and turned to leave.

"If you're up first, come on over here 'n wake me. Don't let my ass sleep in." He called after her.

Carol was already on the steps, but she paused, looking back at him. "Don't worry, I'll get you up." she smirked.

Daryl didn't know how to respond…he wasn't even sure he'd heard her correctly. All he could do was stare, with parted lips, as she made her way down the metal stairs.

The hell did I get myself into?

The next morning, Carol was one of the first people up. She'd all but leapt from her bunk and immediately began to gather supplies for her trip. As she rummaged through her meager belongings, grabbing clean shirts, socks, and anything else that might prove useful, Carol realized that the sun wasn't even up. Squinting through the gloom, she studied her watch.

5:45…

"Jesus," she mumbled to herself, shaking her head. A slight chuckle escaped her. She'd hardly slept all night…and as much as she wanted to blame the restlessness on anxiety, Carol knew that she couldn't. The only reason she'd lain awake in her bunk was excitement. After her little chat with Daryl the night before, Carol realized exactly what she had to look forward to on their trip.

They could talk…uninterrupted, which wasn't a small thing. The prison always seemed so busy, and unless she and Daryl were taking watch shifts together, they couldn't count on more than a few minutes of idle conversation before someone or something dragged them both in different directions.

No chores. It seemed foolish; Carol could admit that. The only thing that kept the prison up and running was the combined effort of its residents. Everyone took turns cooking, cleaning, gardening, tending to the animals, looking after the kids, taking down walkers along the fence, and making supply runs. And it wasn't as if she and Daryl were going sightseeing…she knew there would be plenty of work to do once the two of them were in the woods. Tracking was no easy task…and tracking in the heat, was even worse. If they were lucky, they'd end up with some big game…which meant hauling carcasses. She knew that Daryl would want to make the most of each day. She was prepared to rise early, and stay up as late as Daryl thought they should, but even after she'd taken all of those things into account, Carol couldn't help but feel as though she was about to take a vacation.

You're being ridiculous….

The words made sense, but Carol was still vibrating with excess energy and she was desperate to escape…to leave the prison behind her, if only for a few days. Moving quickly, and fumbling to get her belongings packed, Carol had to remind herself to breathe. She was ready, she was prepared, and she was undeniably excited.

Her mind was racing as she pulled on a pair of cargo pants and fastened her belt. She was so engrossed in thoughts about her trip that she nearly jumped when someone knocked on the bars of her cell. A sharp gasp escaped her before she could stop it, and Carol pinched the bridge of her nose, hating herself.

Relax…

"You up?" a familiar voice called out.

Carol breathed a sigh of relief and waited for her heart rate to slow.

It's just Rick.

She ran a hand through her hair and blew out a breath. "Yeah. Just give me a minute." Standing in her cell, in nothing more than pants and a bra, Carol sighed.

You need to get yourself under control.

Pulling on a clean shirt, Carol did her best to smooth the fabric. She made a feeble attempt to set her mussed hair to rights and then crouched down to search for her boots. Slumping down to sit on the concrete, Carol worked the worn, black boots onto her feet, and tried to calm her frayed nerves. As she buckled the straps, she seemed to remember who she was, and what she was capable of.

You can do this. This is nothing. Just a few days in the woods…par for the course. You've spent your fair share of time out there.

It was true. Carol had taken refuge in forests on more than one occasion…but she'd always been with a group…her people. This would be different…

It's just us…me and him

She'd never really been in that position…separated from the others, with only one person for company…and she wasn't entirely sure how it would play out.

What if we get sick of each other? What if we start to lose it after the first day…the first few hours?

But the foolish fear seemed to dissipate the moment it surfaced. Fastening the last buckle on her right boot, Carol smirked to herself. It didn't matter how stubborn he was…how aggressive or filthy…she couldn't imagine getting sick of him…ever. She hoped he felt the same about her.

"Carol?" Rick called out again.

"Yes…hang on. I'm coming." Standing, and brushing her pants off, Carol gave herself one last piece of advice.

Don't let it show.

Yes…she was excited…more excited than she'd been about anything in a long time. And yes…the idea of being in the woods with Daryl for several days was causing ridiculous thoughts to creep into her head, but that didn't matter. She had to hide it…all of it. She wasn't about to run down the cell block and pounce on the poor man. And Carol certainly didn't intend to let Rick see the stupid smirk she hadn't been able to wipe off her face since she woke up. So, taking a cleansing breath and donning her mask, she walked towards the front of her cell and pulled her privacy sheet aside.

"Yes?" Carol asked, as calmly as she could.

Rick eyed her through the bars. Even in the dim, pre-dawn light, he could see that she was fully dressed…her boots were even on, and he wondered just how early she'd gotten up. When he met her gaze, the deputy noticed how alert she looked…her eyes bright blue and wide. Carol had always been one of the prison's earliest risers; the woman oversaw numerous tasks on a daily basis. But Rick still found it odd that she was dressed and ready for the day before the sun was even up. His brows knit together for several seconds, but then it dawned on him. His arms folded across his chest and a slight smirk formed on his mouth.

"You're up early." he said casually.

Carol blinked, confused by the statement. "Something wrong with that?" she asked.

Rick scuffed his boot on the floor and shook his head. "Naw, nothin' wrong with it. Thought I was gonna have to come up here 'n wake the two of you, but ya beat me to it."

Carol cocked her head to the side, her eyes questioning him.

"Daryl's up. Says he's ready to head out when you are." Rick explained. The man was doing his best not to laugh.

Carol blinked again, her mind trying to make sense of what Rick had just told her.

Daryl's already awake and packed? Jesus…how early did he get up?

For one foolish second, she wondered if the hunter was suffering from the same bout of restlessness that had been plaguing her since last night.

Is…is he excited about this?

Not knowing how to respond, she simply gnawed her bottom lip.

The trip…

That part made more sense.

He's excited about getting out of here…that's all.

Convinced that there was nothing more to it than that, at least for the moment, Carol gave Rick a curt nod. "Tell him I'll be down in a minute." With that, she turned away, letting the sheet fall back into place behind her.

Rick was left standing on the walkway, smirking to himself.

Funny how early they get up when they're lookin' forward to something.

He began heading back towards the stairs, his hand sliding along the smooth, metal railing. As his footsteps echoed, all the way down the stairs, the deputy couldn't help but wonder if he'd been going about things the wrong way. He always had to deal with petty complaints and grousing anytime he tried to assign evening watch shifts…no one liked walking the fences at three AM, or camping out in the guard towers for that matter. But if Daryl and Carol took the shifts together…

Maybe I'll pair them from now on…see how many complaints I get then.

The deputy chuckled as he reached the last step.

Just a few minutes later, Carol was making her way down the stairs. She had a pack on her back, and the thick strap of a duffel bag was clutched in her right hand. When she stepped into the mess hall, she noticed Rick and Daryl seated at one of the tables. Both men looked up when they heard her coming.

"Bout time," said Daryl, returning his attention to the bowl of oatmeal in front of him.

Carol stopped just a few feet short of the table, her brows kitting together. "Excuse me?" she said.

"Been waitin' on your ass." he answered, taking a bite of his breakfast.

Carol's lips parted, and Rick coughed to hide a laugh. She wanted to say something…to snap at Daryl, but she kept herself in check.

Don't start things off on a bad foot.

Summoning the patience she knew she would need if they were going to survive the trip without killing one another, Carol dropped her luggage and took a seat at the table. Rick pushed a bowl of oatmeal in her direction and she gave him a soft smile.

"Thanks."

"Wanted to make sure the two of you ate something before heading out." said the deputy.

Carol smirked, shaking her head slowly. If she was being honest with herself, she'd all but forgotten about food… Her stomach was already in knots and she hadn't even considered the need for breakfast.

Stupid…

She stared down at the oatmeal and wondered what it was that had gotten into her.

This isn't a retreat…you have a very clear, very important goal…bring back food. You have an entire prison full of people depending on you.

But she couldn't help it. She was excited. The idea of being stuck in the wilderness, miles from anyone or anything, with Daryl, made her giddy. She hadn't felt like this since she was a kid, and hard as she tried, she couldn't shake it…she wasn't sure she wanted to.

"Carol…" Rick said softly. The man was slightly concerned by the fact that she hadn't touched her food. Her elbows were resting on the table, and she was leaning forward, her hands at her temples, as she stared down into her bowl like she was waiting for it to do a trick…

Carol's head snapped up at the sound of her own name. "Hm?"

Rick and Daryl were both staring at her.

She did her best to maintain a neutral expression, but she had to bite her bottom lip to keep from smirking. "What?" she finally had to ask.

"Somethin' wrong?" Daryl asked, his brows knitting together.

Carol wasn't sure how to answer. She lowered her hands…palms flat on the table and forced herself to look the hunter in the eye. "Nope. All good. Just ready to get out there."

Daryl seemed skeptical, but he didn't want to press her. He gave Carol one last lingering glance, letting her know that he didn't entirely accept her quick answer, before taking another bite of his oatmeal.

Clearing his throat, Rick got his companions' attention. "Found one of the tents. It's small, but it'll have to do. Got sleeping bags for both of ya; went ahead and put 'em in the truck. There's some guns back there…couple of extra fuel cans, 'n some ammo. Try not to go through all of it."

"Sure you're alright with us taking the truck?" Carol asked.

The deputy nodded. "We've got cars here; we'll be alright."

Carol couldn't hide the flicker of disappointment that marred her features for half a second. Some girlish part of her had hoped that they'd take the bike.

You need to stop…you just wanted an excuse to…

But she wouldn't even allow herself to think such a thing.

As if he could hear her thoughts, Daryl spoke up. "Thought about takin' the bike…sumbitch is too loud. Ain't gonna catch shit if we let the game know we're comin' a mile out…"

Carol regained her composure and forced a small smile. "The truck will be fine. We'll need room if we're gonna carry anything back."

Rick seemed to be watching her closely. "That reminds me. Found some coolers. They're big enough to hold whatever ya'll catch, 'n then some. They're in the back of the truck."

"Thanks," Daryl said between bites. He stopped chewing long enough to gesture at Carol with his spoon. "Best eat somethin'."

Carol tore her eyes away from him and stared down at her untouched food.

He's right…they both are. I'm not going to be any use if I don't eat.

Sighing in defeat, she grabbed the spoon that had been left in her bowl and made herself eat. Carol could hardly taste the oatmeal…the only thing she could focus on was the fact that in minutes…she would be in the truck with Daryl, and two of them would be leaving the prison behind. Working to finish her breakfast as quickly as she could, without making herself sick, Carol let her mind wander. She was curious to know what the sleeping arrangements would be like while the two of them were out there.

We'll have a tent…sleeping bags…but it's a small tent

She wondered exactly how small it was. A slight flush was beginning to spread beneath her clothes and she had to take a moment to relax. Bringing one hand up to her temple, Carol closed her eyes.

Stop. You're going to make an ass of yourself. Just make it through breakfast, and get your mind out of the gutter.

But that was easier said than done. When she opened her eyes, she glanced to her left and noticed that Daryl was staring at her…his blue eyes trained on her face. She nearly choked.

"Sure you're alright?" he asked.

Rick was watching his companions, his elbows were resting on the table, his hands clasped under his chin. "If the two of you aren't up to it…maybe we should hold off on the whole thing."

"No." Carol answered way too quickly. She felt herself get warm as both men stared at her. "We shouldn't put it off. We need food." she added, clearing her throat.

Rick was doing everything in his power to keep from laughing.

"She's right." said Daryl. "Ain't no use in waitin'." the hunter cast a quick glance at Carol, out of the corner of his eye, and the two of them held the connection for half a heartbeat.

She swallowed hard, and wondered if he could possibly know what she was thinking.

"If you say so," Rick conceded.

Daryl gave his leader a half-smile. "We got this."

"I hope you do." With that, the deputy moved to stand.

Carol and Daryl followed suit, each of them grabbing their bags from the floor. They were both silent…two intensely focused, able-bodied, bundles of nervous energy…but they kept their concerns to themselves as they followed their leader out of the mess hall.

Carol stood beside the truck, hugging herself. She'd donned a light jacket, knowing that it would be cool outside. The sky was a purplish grey color…a calm canopy, draped over a sleeping earth. Carol looked up and took some comfort from it…the vast, cloudless expanse seemed to calm her. She could make out the faint sliver of the moon…a waning crescent that was fading from view even as she stared. The sun would be out soon. Blazing a trail overhead…it would leave the sky gold-orange and burning. Carol knew that the early morning chill would be their only reprieve. Once the pre-dawn gloom gave way to the sun, the heat would be relentless. She hugged herself tighter, wishing that the cool, calm stillness would last just a little while longer.

She'd already loaded her things into the truck bed, but Rick and Daryl were still discussing plans. She could overhear them talking about expectations…fall-back points, weapons… Curious, impatient, she slowly wandered in their direction.

"Things go south…I want you two back here, as soon as possible. Don't worry about food. We'll make do. The most important thing is gettin' both of you back here in one piece. Don't try 'n take on the world out there. You hearin' me?" Rick asked, his hands on his hips as he stared at Daryl.

The hunter nodded, his expression solemn. Carol could tell how important the trip was to him.

He just wants to contribute. He wants to prove himself.

She moved to Daryl's side, nudging him with her elbow. "Hey." she said.

He turned to meet her gaze.

"We're gonna be fine. You know that, right?" she said, hoping like hell that the words were true.

Carol's encouragement seemed to help Daryl shake off his doubt. He ran a hand through his hair and kicked at the ground, scuffing his boot. "Yeah. I know."

"Good." said Carol. She turned to face Rick. "See? It's fine."

The deputy took a long hard look at his fellow survivors…the one's who'd been with him since the beginning. He trusted them; he knew what they were capable of. But it wasn't just their expertise with weapons, or their physical strength and endurance that made Rick feel secure in his pairing. He knew, all skill-sets aside, that the two people standing in front of him would protect each other. He knew that neither of them would ever allow anything to hurt the other, and that gave him comfort. The deputy hated sending anyone through the gate, but he managed to find solace in the fact that this time…he'd chosen the perfect pair.

They'll be alright.

"You ready?" Rick asked, eyeing his friends.

Daryl stood up a little straighter and nodded. "Mind if I drive?" he asked, casting a quick glance at Carol.

She snorted. "Go for it." she dismissed him with a pat on the arm.

"Three days." Daryl called over his shoulder as he made his way to the front of the truck and pulled open the driver's side door.

"Three days." Rick echoed. The deputy heard the door slam shut, and found himself face to face with Carol.

"Guess that's my cue." she said as she turned to leave.

Rick reached out, catching hold of her wrist.

"Rick?" said Carol, her brows knitting together in concern.

The deputy stepped into her space, and placed one hand on her shoulder. "Be careful out there. And look after him." he whispered.

Carol swallowed hard, but managed a nod. "Of course." she breathed, her blue eyes clear and vibrant as she held her leader's gaze.

With a final clap on the shoulder, Rick released her and took a step back. His hands returned to his hips, and he stood silent, watching as Carol made her way to the front of the truck. She glanced back at him before climbing into the cab, but Rick just nodded, giving them his approval. He heard the engine groan as the truck came to life, and he hurried towards the gate. The gravel was crunching beneath his boots, and he hoped it wouldn't be too long before his companions returned. He knew, as the heavy gate creaked, making way for the truck, that he wouldn't truly rest until his friends were back within the walls of the prison.

Daryl and Carol drove in comfortable silence, both of them lost in thought. Carol was staring out her window, eyeing the sky as it grew pale with approaching daylight. The familiar sound of the truck's tires helped her relax.

The hunter had one hand on the wheel, his fingers gripping the leather loosely. His other hand was at his mouth, and he gnawed his thumbnail without thinking about it. Daryl knew it was a bad habit…one he needed to break, but he couldn't help it. The simple action had become instinctual over the course of his life. Whenever he felt restless, anxious, he caught the edge of his thumbnail between his teeth and chewed it right down to the quick. He supposed it kept him from speaking his mind…voicing concerns that would only complicate whatever situation was plaguing him at the moment. He'd never been good with words.

Thankfully, Carol didn't seem interested in talking…or if she was, she didn't let him know. The hunter was grateful for that. He'd learned that when he needed silence, either to think, or to mourn, he could count on Carol not to break it. They'd both spent the majority of their lives as introverts…frightened, withdrawn, never wanting to attract unnecessary attention…and they understood the importance of keeping quiet…sometimes.

Daryl snorted, nearly chuckling at the thought. He knew most of the other survivors would never think to peg him as the silent type. He had a temper that seemed to flare at a moment's notice, and when his blood was up, the hunter didn't hesitate to lash out. But there was more to him than that. It wasn't just the need for food that drove him deeper and deeper into the woods each day…it was the need for peace. Hunting was about stealth, patience, and observation…things that Daryl had all but mastered…at least when he was in the forest. When he was following a trail, the stillness of the trees helped him focus…he could let the silence surround him, and clear his mind of any and all distractions….just as he was attempting to do now. The road continued to disappear beneath the truck, the tires hummed, and Daryl could feel some of the anxiety melting away. His eyes flicked briefly to the woman in the passenger's seat, and he knew Rick was right to send her.

Coulda done worse than Carol.

She was still staring up at the cloudless sky, her hands resting in her lap. They'd been driving for a while, and she wondered how far Daryl intended to take them. While it struck her as odd that they'd already put so much distance between themselves and the prison, she had no intentions of questioning him. Carol trusted Daryl; this was his domain.

He's only taking us as far as he thinks we need to go.

With eerie timing, the truck began to slow. Daryl was pulling it over, and Carol felt the slight bump as he eased off the main road and parked in the shade of the woodline. Once the engine died, she glanced at her companion and smiled. "Why here?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Daryl pulled the keys from the ignition and turned to meet her gaze. "Needed to get away from the prison. Big game….deer, 'n hogs, they ain't out there no more. They're movin' further 'n further out, tryin' to steer clear of any place that's crawlin' with people, or corpses. More miles between us, 'n the prison, more likely we are to fill them coolers." He paused to gesture at the back of the truck.

Carol was still smiling, her expression thoughtful as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Makes sense." she said.

The hunter felt something flicker inside him; he wasn't sure if it was pride, or frustration…maybe a little of both. "You surprised?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

A small chuckle escaped her. "No."

Daryl huffed and pushed the driver's side door open. "This ain't my first time." he quipped, without looking back at her.

Carol rolled her eyes and unbuckled her seatbelt. As she opened her door, and hopped down, her boots hitting the soft earth, she wondered if she would have to endure Daryl's ever-increasing smugness throughout the trip. She supposed, if she could handle the tantrum-throwing, reckless, down-right prickly child he'd been back at the quarry, she could handle the person he was now.

The two of them made their way towards the back of the truck, and met near the tailgate. They stood, with their hands on their hips, and stared down at all of their luggage. Carol let out a sigh. "You think we might've brought too much gear?" she asked.

Daryl chewed the corner of his lip for a moment. "Nah. We need all this shit."

Carol brought a hand up to cup her forehead; she could already feel the ache in her muscles. This was going to be difficult.

"Gonna be a bitch to carry though." Daryl mumbled, eyeing all of the things they would need to haul into the woods.

Carol pulled a cleansing breath into her lungs and reminded herself that she'd signed up for all this when Rick first asked her to go.

If you'd taken even one second to truly consider what you were getting yourself into…instead of daydreaming about…

She huffed, not allowing herself to finish the stupid thought.

Daryl eyed her. "Sure you're up for this?"

Carol decided, then and there, that she needed an attitude adjustment.

Don't whine…don't complain. You're only here because you wanted to be.

Realizing that the positive aspects of the trip, spending uninterrupted time with the person she felt closest to, would far outweigh the negative, Carol let her frustrations go, and decided that optimism was the best choice. She glanced at her partner and smirked. "I'm game if you are."

Daryl snorted, the corner of his mouth hitching up in amusement. "C'mon then." he said.

They eyed each other for a moment, and then refocused on the contents of the truck bed. Daryl dropped the tailgate, and the two of them began unloading their supplies. The simple act of getting their luggage out of the bed was making them sweat. The heat of the day was already creeping in around them, pressing against their skin. After just a few minutes, both survivors had to stop and shrug off their jackets.

Carol had hoped that shedding one of her layers would offer some semblance of relief…but it didn't. She tossed her jacket into the truck bed, and turned back around in time to see Daryl shrugging his own jacket off his shoulders.

God…

Carol stood frozen, watching her companion as he rid himself of the garment. He had his vest on underneath…a tattered, sleeveless shirt under that… But those things seemed unimportant. It was Daryl's exposed skin that held her attention. The first button of his shirt was undone…or it had fallen off, Carol couldn't tell…her brain wasn't functioning properly. She could see the sweat that had already begun to glisten at the well of his throat, and it was strangely fascinating. But then he threw his jacket into the truck bed, and all she could do was stare at his arms…they way they moved, the definition…the sweat shining on tanned skin. It made her mouth dry.

Stop. This is nothing new. You've known Daryl how long? He's always looked like that.

But Carol couldn't be sure.

Has he?

She guessed it had something to do with the transformation he'd undergone since they first met at the quarry. He wasn't the same angry outsider who picked fights for sport… He wasn't a child anymore. Carol studied him as he stood beside the dropped tailgate. He reached up, wiping the sweat from his upper lip. With his hands back on his hips, Daryl stared out at the woods, and seemed to be in deep thought, if only for a moment. His blue eyes were narrowed, and Carol couldn't help but notice his posture…the way he carried himself. There was a definite air of confidence that hadn't been there before. As Carol continued to admire him, she realized that there wasn't a single trace left of the child he'd been at the quarry. His recklessness and immaturity had been stripped away by the hardships he'd endured…the losses he'd suffered. Carol knew then; she was staring at a man, not a boy.

Mastering herself, Carol managed to avert her gaze before he could catch her staring. "What are you thinking?" she asked, her arms folded across her chest.

Daryl sighed and returned his attention to the supplies they'd spread out on the grass. "Let's get as much of this shit as we can in one go. Tents, sleepin' bags, anything else we can carry without too much trouble."

Carol nodded, and the two of them dropped to a crouch. Using bungee cords, they each fastened a rolled sleeping bag to their packs. Carol opted to carry the tent; the components were bundled snuggly, wrapped up in vinyl. Daryl hefted the bow onto his back, along with his pack, and used his free hand to carry a large duffel bag. Carol donned her own pack, now heavier with the addition of the sleeping bag, and grabbed her duffel. With a grunt, she managed to stand. The tent was tucked under left arm, and she was already questioning whether or not she'd be able to keep up with her partner.

Daryl was loaded down with as much gear as he could carry, and his right hand held a looped, bundle of rope. He noticed how many supplies he and Carol held, and the fact that neither of them would have any free hands made him uneasy. He would've preferred that at least one of them have the ability to reach for a weapon at a moment's notice, but they needed to get their supplies into the woods as quickly as possible. Sighing, the hunter tried to remind himself that they were isolated. They'd be hiking into the thick of the woods, on a day when the heat would likely be keeping any threats away. He glanced down; a full water bottle hung from his belt, and he saw that Carol's knife hung from hers.

We'll be alright.

Shaking off his concerns, Daryl eyed his partner. "Let's get this shit done." He turned away, without waiting for a response, and began walking towards the trees.

Carol snorted, nearly chuckling to herself. "Yes sir." she muttered, unsure of whether or not he'd heard her.

But Daryl stopped, and glanced at her over his shoulder. There was a slight smirk on his mouth, and he held her gaze for several seconds.

Carol smirked back at him. "What?"

The hunter simply shook his head and turned away. Carol laughed as she followed him into the woods.

"Jesus christ…" Daryl huffed. He was lying on his back with his eyes closed, waiting for his heart rate to slow.

Carol sat nearby, her head hanging low between her knees as she fought the urge to vomit.

It had taken over two hours for the survivors to haul all of their supplies into the forest. They'd done their best to remain optimistic, and keep any complaints to themselves. But after about thirty minutes of stumbling through the brush, with the heat bearing down on them, and their muscles aching beneath the weight of their packs, Daryl and Carol began to lose patience.

The first few curses were uttered softly, mumbled in passing… but before too long, the companions were leaving a searing trail of obscenities in their wake…the bitter words hanging in the humid forest air. Daryl was the first to let a curse slip from between his teeth, but Carol followed suit quickly…sometimes surprising herself with the breadth of her vocabulary. She'd spat out words that she hadn't used in years, profanities that she honestly thought she'd forgotten. By the time she and Daryl finally dropped the last of their supplies at the campsite he'd chosen for them, the survivors found themselves out of breath, and out of expletives.

After setting the empty coolers down, Daryl and Carol promptly collapsed. He was on his back, hands pressed to his closed eyes, while Carol sat with her knees raised. The sound of their panting filled the air, and sweat continued to break out all over their bodies. Carol was surprised that they had any moisture left to give…she'd assumed the heat had sapped it all during their numerous treks through the woods.

After several minutes, Carol's breathing began to slow. The brief spell of nausea passed, and her head seemed to clear. The heat was still oppressive, even beneath the shade of the tall pines, but Carol felt a little better. She was proud of herself for keeping up with Daryl. Exhausted, sore, and thirsty, she forced herself to crawl in the hunter's direction.

The heels of his palms were still pressed against his eyes, and he didn't seem to notice that she was getting closer. The action was innocent enough. All Carol wanted was some water. She paused, and knelt beside her companion. Not thinking anything of it, she reached for the water bottle that was still clipped to his belt. The sudden movement startled him and he propped himself up on his elbows, staring at her. He was still working to catch his breath, and shocks of dark hair hung in his eyes.

"Just thirsty…" Carol explained, as she carefully unclipped the bottle from his belt.

Daryl's eyes flicked to her hands…the fact that they were so close to his groin made him uneasy, but he wasn't about to voice that concern. So he swallowed hard and waited.

Carol unscrewed the lid from the bottle and brought it to her lips. The water was warm, but it didn't matter. The instant the clear liquid hit her tongue, Carol closed her eyes and groaned. She couldn't help it. Her throat was raw, and the water seemed to soothe it instantly.

Daryl was fixated as he watched her…the way her eyes closed, the relief he could see in her face…and then that sound she made. It was echoing in his ears, and he found that he liked it.

Carol pulled the bottle from her lips and wiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. When her eyes eased open, she noticed Daryl staring at her. Color crept into her cheeks and she wondered how long he'd been watching.

Daryl focused on her mouth, her lips…they were wet. He was still somewhat light-headed from the heat, and he didn't seem to be in complete control of his thoughts…or his words. "Hit the spot?" he asked.

Carol coughed a little and wiped at her mouth again. "Yeah," she chuckled. "Want some?"

Daryl studied her, unsure of exactly what she was offering in that moment. Common sense caught up with him after a few seconds and he nodded. Forcing himself to sit up, Daryl beckoned her.

His narrowed eyes were still focused on her face, and for half a heartbeat, Carol thought he might want something other than water. But she shook off the foolish thoughts and silently blamed the heat.

If we don't stay hydrated, we're going to lose our minds…

She held out the bottle, handing it to him, and he took the offering. Their fingers brushed, but the contact didn't seem to bother them. They held each other's gazes as Daryl took a drink. Sharing a bottle of warm water shouldn't have intrigued her as much as it did. It was par for the course. The survivors were used to living in close quarters…sharing everything and anything. But for some reason, as they sat struggling in the mid-morning heat, Carol found that watching him drink water was giving her a strange thrill. She liked the fact that his lips were touching the bottle…just where hers had been seconds before.

You're being stupid…

But she didn't care. She'd endured a particularly exhausting morning, and felt that she'd earned the right to entertain a few ridiculous thoughts. She watched as a drop of water rolled down his chin, clinging to his scruff.

Daryl took another swig before wiping his mouth. He didn't know why, but he liked the fact that Carol was staring at him.

In desperate need of a distraction, Carol cleared her throat. "You good?" she asked.

Daryl kept his eyes on hers and answered with a slow nod.

"Here, I got it." she said, gesturing to the bottle clutched in his palm.

The hunter handed the bottle over, his eyes never leaving her face. Carol could feel him watching her, and it made her warm, but she had to focus. Taking a final sip, Carol screwed the lid back on, making sure it was tight. She tried to ignore the slight shudder that moved through her when she thought about the fact that his lips had just been on that same bottle. Still staring at him, she leaned in closer and carefully fastened the bottle's clip back onto his belt.

Daryl knew he should say something…push her away, but he couldn't The invasion of his personal space didn't bother him. He found that he liked having her close. The hunter tore his eyes from her face, long enough to glance at her neck. Her skin shone with sweat, and he watched as a single bead slid down, dipping into the well of her throat, before disappearing below the neckline of her shirt. Carol didn't seem to notice that he was staring at her chest, or if she did…she didn't mind.

Once she'd clipped the bottle to his belt, Carol realized that she didn't have an excuse to be close to him. She hesitated, lingering in his space, trying to think of something to say. She was kneeling beside him, and she wanted nothing more than to push him onto his back and straddle him…but Carol knew she couldn't do that. So, swallowing hard, she eased back, her hands resting in her lap.

"Well," she sighed. "We're here." She stopped staring at him and took the opportunity to look around their makeshift campsite.

"We are." he acknowledged, still feeling a little light-headed.

"Now what?" she asked, chuckling.

Daryl rubbed his tired eyes and tried to remember what they were doing out there in the first place. "Guess we best set up shop."

Carol cupped her forehead and sighed again. "You don't think we've done enough today?" she teased.

The hunter snorted. "You optin' out already?"

She looked at him, her blue eyes narrowed. "No. Just tired."

He considered the statement before meeting her gaze. "You ain't tired yet." he said, smirking at her.

Carol's lips parted in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

Daryl pushed himself up off the ground and began brushing dirt from his pants. "It's early. When the sun goes down, you're gonna be all kinds of tired."

Carol stood with a grunt. "Oh yeah?" she folded her arms across her chest. "You gonna make sure of that?"

The hunter eyed her, and felt that he'd been issued a challenge. "Think I can't?" he asked.

Carol was working hard to keep the blush off her cheeks. "I didn't say that…" she said.

"Ya thought it…"

"You don't know what I'm thinking." she argued.

Daryl just snorted as he stepped past her.

Frustrated by the dismissal, Carol turned and watched him as he stooped to retrieve the bundle of rope from the ground. He began unwinding it and tied one loose end to the thick trunk of nearby tree. Daryl could feel her eyes on his back. "Just gonna stand there?" he called out.

"Tell me what to do." she said, trying to keep her voice even.

"My pack." he said. "Got some things in there…hubcaps, empty cans 'n bottles. Go on 'n get 'em out. We're gonna get that shit strung up on this rope."

Carol smiled to herself.

He's making a barrier.

"Good thinking." she called to him as she headed towards his pack.

Daryl smirked to himself as he finished tying the knot.

In the next instant, Carol was beside him again, and she dropped the pack at his feet. Together, the survivors worked to fasten as many bottles, cans, and hubcaps to the rope as they possibly could. Afterwards, they looped the rope around a nearby tree, and then another, and another, until the barrier formed a complete, albeit sloppy circle around their campsite. They'd been careful in their placement. The rope was high enough to catch the average walker at about mid-thigh.

Once they'd finished, Daryl took a step back to admire their work. "Ain't much…but it's somethin." he said.

Carol nudged him in the side with her elbow. "Quit."

Daryl looked at her, "Quit what?"

"Selling yourself short." she said. "The barrier was a good idea."

The hunter felt his nervousness get the best of him. He wasn't used to compliments. Bringing his thumb to his mouth, he gnawed the nail. Wanting to combat his sudden bout of nerves, Daryl spat out a nail fragment and eyed his companion. "You're just sweet talkin' me."

"What?" she said, nearly laughing at the statement.

"You just want me to go easy on your ass."

Carol huffed. "Easy? If I wanted easy, I'd be at the prison, walking the fences…not out here with you. Try again."

Daryl liked this side of her. Normally, she was the one who got under his skin, but whenever he managed to ruffle her feathers, he took pride in it. "Sayin' you're gonna keep up while we're out here? No bitchin'?" he asked.

The hunter was trying her patience. "I can keep up just fine. And as I recall, you did your fair share of bitching when we carried all of this crap out here." she snapped.

Daryl and Carol stared at each other, each of them realizing that the other wasn't going to back down. "Calm down woman. Best save that energy. We got shit to do."

Carol was bristling, and she was tempted to smack him…just to wipe that stupid smirk off his face, but she kept herself in check. Despite the way that he was goading her, Carol couldn't seem to remember a time when she'd found him more attractive. Some part of her seemed to respond to his sudden arrogance; she liked the challenge.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure I can handle it." she said with confidence.

"Ya say that now." he teased.

"I do."

Daryl snorted, his arms folding across his chest. "I'm gonna wear your ass out."

They were standing a few feet apart but Carol took a step in his direction, undaunted. "You can try." she said, trying to sound serious.

"I plan on it." he growled softly, his eyes locked on hers.

Carol held his gaze, letting him know that she wasn't afraid of him. After several seconds of heavy silence, she turned on her heel and set to work organizing their supplies. She didn't plan to stand there, exchanging barbs with him for the rest of the morning. "Feel free to dive in here anytime…" she called to him without looking back.

Daryl watched as she bent down to retrieve something from her bag. It was wrong…he knew it was. He shouldn't be looking at her like that. But…they were going to be stuck with each other for the next few days, and he figured it was best to just get it out of the way. It wasn't a habit of his…he normally didn't allow himself to even think of the female survivors as women. It was easier that way. They were just allies…friends, family. But the two of them were isolated. There was no one there to stop him, or judge him for looking…so he let himself glance at her, if only for a second. It was strange, and almost unsettling to acknowledge the fact that Carol had a body hidden under her clothes.

Ain't none of your business. It don't change anything.

Daryl repeated the words in his head, hoping to convince himself. Knowing that he needed to focus on something else, he walked towards another pile of their things and began searching for the bundled tent supplies.

Carol was rifling through her pack, trying to find her gun. From the corner of her eye, she could see Daryl fumbling with the tent. "Need a hand?" she asked.

"Nah," he grunted. "I got it."

Carol turned to look at him. "You sure?"

The tip of his tongue was resting between his lips as he tried to concentrate. "I'm fine."

She finally found her gun and tucked it into her waistband. She could hear Daryl muttering curses under his breath, and she knew he was struggling. "What's wrong?" she asked innocently. "Can't get it up?"

Daryl froze and looked at her. "Come again?" he snapped.

Carol was rubbing the spot above her tailbone as she stared at him. "I was just asking if you needed help."

The hunter felt himself get warm as his temper flared. He wasn't thinking clearly. "I'm fine." he bit out. "Ain't never needed help pitchin' a damn tent."

Carol was biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

It took Daryl a moment to grasp the significance of what he'd said…but once the realization struck, he had to bring one hand up to cup his forehead. Sighing through his nose, the hunter tried to let his anger go.

Carol couldn't keep her mask on. The instant she heard Daryl sigh, her resolve crumbled and she laughed.

Daryl ran a hand through his hair. "You done?" he asked, glaring at Carol.

She tried to regain her composure and look him in the eye. She didn't trust herself to speak, so she opted for a nod.

The hunter rolled his eyes.

"No…really," Carol insisted. "I'm happy to help. I know those things are a pain." She gestured to the tent. "I'm sure that you can do it without me, I was just thinking it would go faster if we did it together…that's all." She was doing her best to say exactly what she meant, and nothing else, but as the words left her lips, she realized that they still sounded bad…inappropriate. A nervous chuckle escaped her, and she had to marvel at her own immaturity.

"Jesus christ Carol…quit talkin'." he pleaded.

"I'm sorry," she said, trying not to laugh.

"Right." he huffed.

Knowing that she needed to refocus, Carol moved towards him and began searching for the cords to tie down the tent.

"I said I could do it…" he growled

"I know," Carol glanced at him over her shoulder. "I just want to help. Let me do this; please?"

"Fine. You gonna shut your trap then?"

Carol smirked at him. "You gonna make me?"

The hunter sighed, conceding defeat. He worked with her, getting the stakes in place. Despite his numerous frustrations, and the fact that the heat was pressing in around him, Daryl found that the same words were still echoing in his head.

Coulda done worse than Carol.

"See….right…there…." Daryl muttered under his breath. His keen blue eyes were narrowed as he focused on his work. Slowly, carefully, he fastened the loose end of a wire to a small piece of wood. The tip of his tongue darted out over his lips.

Carol was kneeling in the dirt beside him. She watched closely as he finished with the wire, and then tugged the small piece of wood, bringing it down until it was touching a stake he had in the ground. He'd carved the stake earlier, making sure that it was sturdy, with a sharp point that would keep it secured in the soil. Near the top, he'd carved a notch. As he brought the smaller bit of wood down, Carol noticed that it also had a notch taken out of it…the two pieces seemed to fit together…but just barely. The whole thing looked so delicate.

Carol was doing her best to pay attention…to learn. She knew this was important, but concentration was becoming increasingly difficult. It was late in the afternoon. After she and Daryl finished arranging their camp, the two of them spent hours scouting the terrain, scoping things out, and searching for signs of game. They only stopped once Daryl was convinced that he'd found a good spot for traps.

She was grateful for the opportunity to rest, and catch her breath, but Daryl wasn't about to let her take a break. Instead, he shrugged his pack off and began rummaging through it for supplies. He made sure that Carol witnessed and participated in the construction of the trap. So, now the two of them knelt in the brush, and he was trying to be patient….to talk Carol through it…but she wasn't listening…as least not as closely as she should've been.

Carol could hear his voice…that hushed, smoky, growl she loved. She knew that he was trying to explain something to her, but the trap couldn't seem to hold her attention…not when Daryl was beside her. Their arms were brushing, just barely, and it made Carol shiver. They'd been stumbling through the woods all day, and there seemed to be a permanent layer of dried sweat on their bodies. Their boots were caked with mud…dirt, but none of that mattered. Carol found that the filthier Daryl got, the more appealing he became.

The hunter paused and shook his hair, hoping to get some of the tangled strands out of his eyes so that he could focus. Carol sank her teeth into her bottom lip to keep from groaning. His scent was suddenly everywhere. He smelled like the woods… like pine, and rich, dark earth. He carried a strange musk with him, like an aura, and Carol was beginning to find it incredibly tempting. She pulled a breath into her lungs and could smell his sweat…she could almost taste it… the salt on his skin. Her mouth went dry and there was a sudden twinge of pain between her legs. He smelled so good… the scent was on his clothes, in his hair…all around her… smoke, water, grass, something she couldn't quite place…it was making her weak. Swallowing hard, she tried to maintain her composure, but he was so close to her…whispering roughly, working with those incredible hands… and when he shook his damp, tangled hair, Carol could've sworn she got a small contact high…just from breathing in that sharp scent. Her heart rate was beginning to speed up.

For god's sake…did he slip and fall in fucking pheromones?

Carol was surprised by her level of frustration, but she couldn't help it. They'd been together all day. Tracking…sharing water bottles and bits of conversation…even laughing now and then. And as the hours slipped by, it became increasingly difficult to look at him…to be around him, and not be able to touch him.

At least you've come to terms with that.

It hadn't been easy, but Carol was finally forced to admit, within the privacy of her own mind, that she wanted to touch him…and she wanted him to touch her.

You need to get that out of your head…here and now.

But Carol knew she couldn't do it. He was going to be her only company for the next few days. They were going to share a tent… There was no possible way for her to ignore the nagging thoughts that were crowding her skull. His damn scent was enough to cloud her judgment and make her feel like a teenager.

"And that…." he growled softly. "Is how ya make a snare."

Carol blinked several times, trying to get her bearings. "Hm?"

Daryl braced a broad hand on this thigh as he pushed himself up off the ground. "See that?" he asked, pointing down at his handiwork. "That there's gonna catch our breakfast."

Carol was still kneeling in the soft dirt. She studied the snare, her eyes following the curve of the sapling that was bent over. Once she actually took a few seconds to look at what Daryl had done, she felt her lips spreading into a smile. The snare looked perfect…deceptively simple. She turned and lifted her chin, meeting his gaze. "Looks great." she smiled.

The hunter stared at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Thanks." He leaned down, holding out his hand.

Carol reached for him and took the offering. Her soft fingers gripped his hand, and he hauled her to her feet. They held the connection a second longer than they should have…their fingers seemed stiff as they untangled.

"C'mon." Daryl stooped to grab his pack off the ground. "Best head back."

"Sounds good." she said, falling into step behind him.

They walked through the woods, following a subtle trail of broken branches, and notched tree trunks that Daryl left when they first began their trek. The survivors were silent at first, both thoroughly exhausted by the day's events. But after they'd been walking for about fifteen minutes, Carol felt the need to break the silence. "So how'd you know?" she asked.

Daryl was a few feet ahead and he glanced at her over his shoulder. "Hm?"

"Where to set up the snare." Carol explained.

Daryl gave her a half smirk before turning away. His pace seemed to be picking up, and Carol moved quickly, wanting to keep up with him. "Well?" she asked.

He snorted. "Ain't nothin' special to it. Just gotta look for the signs."

"I don't seem to recall anything special near those bushes we found."

He hefted the pack on his back and kept moving. "Just weren't lookin' close enough."

She jogged until she reached his side, and they walked together, with Daryl setting the pace. "Where was I supposed to look?" she quipped, smiling at him.

"That was a snare for small game…rabbits, squirrels. Ya gotta look for signs they been there."

"And where did you see these signs?" she asked.

"Them bushes we found…the leaves near the bottom were gnawed on..most of 'em torn off. Means rabbits been there. 'N the way I figure…little bastards are likely to keep comin' back…they ain't bright."

Carol snorted and shook her head, amazed by all the little details that had escaped her notice while she was busy battling her sexual frustration. "Guess you're pretty good at all this, huh?" She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Daryl chuckled. "All what?"

Carol hefted her own pack before raising her arms, indicating the wilderness all around them. "This great-outdoors stuff."

It was the hunter's turn to snort. "I'm pretty good." he admitted, feeling a little pride swell inside him.

They chuckled as they made their way further and further down the trail that would lead back to their camp. After the laughter died down, Carol's mind began to wander. They were walking side by side, occasionally bumping into one another, and Daryl's intoxicating scent still hung heavy in the air. It was making Carol a little dizzy, and she couldn't stop the next words from tumbling out of her mouth.

"I bet you're good at a lot of things." she said lazily.

There was a stupid grin on her face, and her eyes were dreamy as she stared out at the woods. She didn't overthink the statement; she simply kept walking as if nothing out of the ordinary had been said. Her fingers were curled around the thick straps of her pack, and she was losing herself in that sexy, masculine scent…it was making her thoughts hazy, like some sort of airborne toxin. She continued to pull deep, calming breaths into her lungs, and began to feel slightly drunk.

Daryl froze, his brows knitting together, but Carol didn't seem to notice. She was still following the trail, seemingly unaware that she was doing it alone. Once he realized that she wasn't going to stop, or go back for him, Daryl blinked, and moved to catch up with her.

"What'd ya say?" he asked, eyeing her.

Carol didn't even bother to look at him. She just smiled to herself and focused on the trail. "You heard me."

Daryl didn't understand the strange behavior. The crease was getting deeper in his brow as he walked alongside her. Late afternoon was giving way to early evening, and the sun was slowly sinking. Birds, and crickets chirped from their hiding places in the grass…the trees, filling the forest with sounds of life. When he looked up, Daryl could see patches of sky through the canopy…bursts of color just beyond the dark tree tops. As the light began to fade, the sky seemed to transform. Bright blue became rosy pink, as if the world was blushing. The hunter had half a mind to blush right along with it.

The hell does she mean?

He knew he should've just let the comment go. They'd been out in the sun and the heat all day…

Maybe it's just gettin' to her.

But Carol's words were nagging at him…sparking an interest that he didn't know he had.

Deciding that it couldn't hurt to engage her a little, Daryl shook the hair out of his eyes and cleared his throat. "What exactly is it ya think I'm good at?" he asked, as casually as he could. He didn't look at her; he kept his eyes on the trail.

Carol chuckled to herself. She was still lost in her haze of desire, but she possessed enough awareness to realize that she'd piqued his interest, and that amused her.

Maybe I should just say what I'm thinking more often.

That thought seemed funny and she chuckled again.

"Carol?" he said, casting a quick glance at her.

"What?" she asked as she reached up to wipe away a small tear that had formed at the corner of her eye.

"Ain't gonna tell me? That it?"

She answered with a giggle.

Daryl was experiencing an interesting blend of confusion and intrigue…he guessed there was some frustration mixed in there too. "Carol," he said again. "Ya ain't gonna tell me?"

She sighed happily and shook her head. When she finally turned to meet his gaze, she was smirking at him. "I don't think I need to."

Her response did absolutely nothing to clear up Daryl's confusion. For a moment, he was even convinced that she'd made it worse. Thoughts began flitting through his skull faster than he could make sense of them. He kept his eyes on the trail and continued walking, but his mind was elsewhere. Twigs were snapping quietly under his boots, and slender branches were brushing his bare arms as he moved through the forest, but all he could think about was what Carol had said…and what it could possibly mean. When he finally managed to connect the dots, he felt a strong flush spread over his entire body. In that instant, the hunter seemed to experience a wide range of emotions. He was surprised, flattered? Embarrassed, frustrated…and most of all, shocked. He couldn't begin to understand why Carol would say such a thing…or allude to it. He was speechless. All Daryl could do was stare at his companion, in utter amazement.

She must've felt his eyes on her, because she turned to meet his gaze. "What?" she asked, but Carol could tell, from the expression that he wore, that he'd figured it out. Another nervous chuckled escaped her. "See?" she quipped. "I knew I didn't need to tell you." She was smirking at him, biting the corner of her bottom lip.

Daryl considered drawing on his usual defenses…he could've lashed out, argued…but he didn't. Instead, the hunter stared at her mouth…at the way her teeth were sinking into the tender flesh of her lip. He found himself wondering what she might taste like. As his thoughts became muddled, Daryl began to succumb to whatever force had taken hold of Carol. He wasn't thinking clearly, and the rest of the world seemed to fade around him.

The companions stared at each other for several seconds before Carol finally spoke. "I bet you're good." she said again. She tore her eyes away from him and focused on walking.

Daryl was frustrated by the loss of her attention. "What makes ya say that?" he asked, genuinely wanting to know.

Carol turned to look at him. She admired him without shame, her eyes following the hard curves of muscle in his arms. She took note of his legs, his back-side, all the way up, to his chest, then to his face. Beneath the layers of dirt and sweat, all Carol could see was something she desperately wanted to play with.

The hunter felt uneasy as she studied him and he swallowed hard, hoping to keep his mask on.

Carol took another good look at him, top to bottom, and smirked. "Come on…You've gotta be." she said, raising an arm and letting it drop to emphasize her point.

Daryl was having trouble accepting her boldness. And he was sure no woman had ever looked at him like that…he felt like she could see through his clothes. Feeling the need to say something, Daryl cleared his throat again. "What makes ya so sure?"

Carol turned away and chuckled. "Am I wrong? In my assumption?"

The hunter hefted his pack and kept walking. "I didn't say that."

She laughed and had to wipe more tears from the corners of her eyes. Daryl snorted, shaking his head.

"Think maybe ya been out here too long." he teased. "Ya don't know what you're sayin'."

Carol paused and looked at him, her blue eyes locked on his. "Yeah I do." she smirked.

The praise was giving Daryl a strong high and he couldn't remember the last time he felt so confident. He didn't know how to respond to the woman who'd found her way under his skin, and into his head, so he did the only thing he could. He smirked back at her, and the two of them kept walking.

"I swear to christ…" said Daryl.

"Bullshit." Carol laughed. She was sitting with her back against a thick tree trunk and her legs were crossed. She shook her head slowly as she lifted a water bottle to her lips.

"Why would I lie?" he asked, slightly offended.

Carol just shrugged and took a swig from her bottle.

Daryl huffed and resumed his work on the fire. He'd managed to get a small flame going, but he was still adding tinder.

Carol wiped her mouth with the back of her wrist and stared at him. "I don't buy it."

The hunter looked up, a blend of amusement and frustration evident on his face. "It fuckin' happened." he argued.

Carol set her bottle down and reached up, running her hands through her mussed hair. She released a sigh and chuckled, letting her hands drop to her lap. "Glenn did not drag you into a pharmacy just to cover him while he looked for condoms."

With another huff, Daryl brushed his calloused hands off and stepped away from the fire. He took a seat near another tree, mimicking Carol's pose. "I'm tellin' ya….he did." said the hunter.

She laughed again and wiped at her eyes. "Wow."

Daryl unclipped the water bottle form his belt and brought it to his lips. "It ain't like we was out there sightseein' neither. We had a goal…we were lookin' for ammo. Turned this corner…'n suddenly we got ten, maybe twelve geeks comin' at us. Ty and Sasha were fussin' at us to get out of there…we were gonna meet back at the car. 'N the kid…jackass that he is, sees a pharmacy."

"I'm having trouble processing this." Carol laughed.

"How do ya think I felt?"

She was getting light-headed and had to take another sip of water.

"He drags me in there…tellin' me he's gonna be quick. I figure it's somethin' important…meds or some shit. So I covered him. I even took out a damn geek to keep the thing from gettin' in the store. 'N then…" Daryl shook his head at the ridiculous memory. "He's runnin' out with a damn box of rubbers in his hand. Swear to god I about beat his ass."

"Oh…my god." Carol brought a hand up and covered her eyes as her body trembled with trapped laughter. "I'm just….I'm so sorry…"

The hunter snorted. "Not as sorry as he was."

She couldn't hold it in anymore and the laughter burst from her lips.

"What did you do?" she asked, her hands falling to rest in her lap again.

"I bitched at him the whole way back. Told him what a jackass he was. Least until Sasha 'n Ty got tired of hearin' me."

"They took pity on him?" Carol chuckled.

"He didn't deserve it. Kid puts my ass on the line…both our asses on the line…so that he can get laid?" Daryl snorted again and took a swig from his bottle. "That shit happens again…he's on his own. Ain't no piece of tail on this earth that's worth dyin' for."

Carol folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes as she stared at the hunter. "We're talking about Maggie here…and I don't think that she, or Glenn, would appreciate you referring to her that way."

Daryl stared down at his hands, suddenly contrite. "That ain't what I meant, 'n ya know it." he muttered without looking up. "I know the two of 'em are joined at the damn hip. Kid's lucky Maggie can stand his sorry ass."

Carol appreciated the fact that he was trying, in his own, evasive way, to apologize for the statement, but she wasn't ready to let him off the hook. She pretended to ignore him and took another sip of water.

Silence filled up the campsite, and it was making Daryl restless. They had a few more days of this, and Daryl didn't intend to spend it in the doghouse. He lifted his chin and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. It had grown dark; the sun finally disappeared behind the horizon line, blanketing the world in shadow. The flames from their small fire flickered and wavered…the orange light dappling the trunks of nearby pines. The hunter studied his companion and could make out her features in the dark. The soft glow of the fire seemed to illuminate her face…her brow, her cheek bones, the tip of her nose…all the little things that were so familiar to him now. He couldn't handle her being upset with him.

"I wasn't…." he gnawed his bottom lip and focused on his hands again…they were balling into nervous fists in his lap. "I wasn't tryin' to call her a piece of tail…Maggie, that is." He growled softly. He wasn't even sure she'd heard him.

Carol could hear the sincerity in his voice, and it broke her resolve. Sighing, and giving in, she finally acknowledged him. "I know you weren't," she said, smiling at him through the gloom.

Daryl's head snapped up and he met her gaze, his lips parting in disbelief.

She chuckled at the look on his face. "But it's good to know that my opinion means so much to you."

The hunter snorted and looked away. He brought his thumb to his mouth and began chewing the nail. He hated the fact that it was so easy for her to get to him.

Carol sighed. "Oh come on…don't pout." She stared at him, waiting for a response of some kind, but Daryl was silent, and he was refusing to look at her. "Come on," she said again. "Go on and tell me what you were really trying to say."

Daryl spat out a nail fragment and slowly turned to meet her gaze. "Ya gonna climb off your high horse then?" he growled under his breath.

"Yes," she said, rubbing her neck. "Please; continue."

He glared at her for a few more seconds and then blew out a breath, letting his frustration go. "What I was tryin' to say…" he growled. "Is that the boy coulda got us both killed…'n for what?"

Carol's elbows were resting on her knees, her hands clasped under her chin as she listened. She found that she was extremely interested in hearing what Daryl thought about….well…the reasoning behind Glenn's spur-of-the-moment dash into the pharmacy. She arched an eyebrow and cocked her head to the side, waiting for him to keep going.

"A couple more rolls in the hay?" Daryl said, exasperated. The more he thought about that supply run, the more agitated he seemed to become. He raised an arm and let it drop.

Carol absorbed the words, trying to make sense of them. After several seconds of consideration, she decided to voice her thoughts. "So…" she said, her blue eyes trained on his face. "You don't think he had his priorities in order? Is that it?" she asked.

Daryl stared at her as if she'd said something completely asinine. "No," he growled. "I fuckin' don't."

She pulled a breath into her lungs and let it go.

He doesn't understand.

"Don't you think you're being a little hard on him?"

The hunter felt a crease forming in his brow as he stared at his friend. "No. The kid took a dumbass risk for…"

"For something that was important to him." said Carol, finishing the thought.

Daryl's eyes narrowed in skepticism.

"He loves her. You know that. We can't blame him for wanting to be with her. The risks are everywhere…all the time. We don't know how long the prison's gonna last. We're all on borrowed time, in my opinion. And the fact that Glenn wants to spend whatever time he does have left with someone he cares about… I just…" She smiled softly, shaking her head. "I don't think it's any reason to pick on him."

Daryl let the words sink in. He knew that they made sense…or, some of them did anyway…but he still felt that his argument had merit. Carol wasn't there that day…she wasn't the one who had to fight off corpses while Glenn went on a condom run. "It was still stupid." he huffed.

A soft chuckle escaped her. "Maybe so," she admitted. "But love does that to people… especially young people."

"Yeah," Daryl muttered before taking a swig from his water bottle. "No shit."

She smiled at him and they sat in comfortable silence, both of them listening to the subtle crackling of the fire. After several minutes, Carol seemed to remember something important. She stood suddenly, and walked to the other side of the small campsite.

"Whatcha doin'?" Daryl asked.

Carol crouched down and rummaged through her bag until her fingers closed around the desired objects. "Almost forgot about this." she said, before heading back towards her tree. She slumped down, hitting the soft earth, and stared at the can and can-opener that she held in her hands.

The hunter was eyeing her, trying to make out whatever it was that she held.

She felt him watching her and she lifted her chin. "Dinner." she announced, holding up the can.

Daryl was squinting through the dark, trying to read the label.

"It's just tomato soup." Carol admitted. "I tried to find us something more exotic…like chicken noodle, or chowder…but the pantry was lacking in options."

Daryl smirked and shook his head. "Nah. Ya did good."

Carol bit her bottom lip and tired to keep herself from grinning like an idiot. She knew she was being foolish. Carol was a grown, confident woman who could outshoot almost anyone at the prison. She took care of Judith…she worked the fences…she even trained some of the older kids in weapon usage, and she was always ready to help in any way that her leader asked. It had been a long time since Carol needed anyone's approval…especially a man's. She supposed she still didn't need it, but having Daryl praise her, even in such a small way, made her whole face light up. As she worked to keep her happiness concealed, Carol seemed to lose her train of thought.

The hunter was staring at her, waiting… He could see that one of her hands held a can opener, and he wondered if she intended to use it in the near future. Deciding that he would give Carol a moment, he pushed himself up off the ground and began roaming their small campsite.

The sudden movement stirred Carol from her temporary trance. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Daryl was studying the trees that surrounded their camp. "Lookin' for somethin'." he answered.

"What is it? Maybe I can help." she called to him.

But the hunter just waved at her, dismissing the offer. "Nah. Just hang tight. I got this."

"you sure?"

Daryl stood in front a large tree and looked up, trying to see the branches through the gloom. "Yeah," he answered. With a grunt, the hunter reached for one of the branches, and tore it from the trunk. The wood snapped…the sharp sound echoing throughout their campsite. "Here we go." Daryl muttered to himself as he studied his find. He made his way back towards Carol, and slumped down just a few feet from her.

"What'd you find?" she asked.

Daryl held up the branch, showing it to her. "Ya weren't gonna eat it cold were ya?"

Carol's lips spread into a smile. "Smart." she said.

He turned away, but Carol could've sworn she saw him blush a little.

Trying to ignore how cute he was when he was blushing, Carol decided to focus on the task at hand. She used the can opener to slowly cut through the aluminum. Once the top was gone, she handed Daryl the can.

He took the offering, and carefully wedged the can into the forked end of his branch. "Guessin' it just needs a minute or two." he growled softly as moved the branch until the can was hovering over the small fire.

The flames crackled, and the survivors waited patiently for their dinner to heat up. As they sat together, Carol occasionally glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You really are good at this." she sighed.

Daryl just snorted, ignoring the compliment.

"You are." she insisted. "I bet you would've been fine on your own. You don't even need me here." she said, her tone playful.

"I do." he argued…the answer came way too quickly for his liking, and he chided himself within the safety of his mind.

Your ass better relax….woman's gonna see what a jackass you really are.

Carol's lips parted in amusement. The speediness of Daryl's response was a pleasant surprise. "Oh really?"

The hunter was trying to shrug it off and cover his tracks. "Yeah," he growled, "You brought the soup."

Carol reached out and lightly swatted his arm. She eyed him and shook her head.

Daryl chuckled as he looked at her. "What? I woulda forgot it…is all I'm sayin'."

She rolled her eyes and took another sip from her water bottle. "I think it's probably ready." she said, glancing at the can that was still suspended over the open flame.

Daryl followed her gaze and noticed that the liquid was beginning to bubble inside the can. "Shit, you're right." He withdrew the branch, and carefully lowered the can to the ground. "Best give it a minute to cool off."

Carol was still seated with her back to the tree trunk. She set her water bottle aside and leaned her head back to stare at the inky blackness overhead. There was something startling about the night sky…the darkened world was at once eerie and beautiful. Squinting, she could make out the tops of the pines…and beyond that, patches of sky… a blue so deep that it was barely distinguishable from the network of black branches. Stars were scattered like jewels, glimmering weakly…tiny points of light piercing the veil of darkness that hung over the world. She continued to stare, losing herself in the beauty and the stillness of the evening. Despite everything she'd gone through since the turn…everything she'd lost…Carol still felt lucky. Lucky to be alive…to be there, in that moment…with someone she truly cared about. If it weren't for the turn…she never would've been able to experience freedom like this…she never would've met Daryl. Sighing, Carol tried to appreciate the moment for what it was; she wanted to hold onto it, memorize it.

"Soup's on." Daryl said, breaking the spell.

She chuckled to herself before turning to face her companion. He reached down and carefully pulled the can from the forked branch. The hunter swore quietly as he held the can and lifted it to his lips.

Carol stared at him in disbelief and folded her arms across her chest. "Well help yourself I guess…" she chided him playfully.

Daryl stared at her with narrowed eyes as he took a hesitant sip of the red liquid. "Christ!" he hissed, wincing a little.

"Serves you right." said Carol. She was surprised that he hadn't offered her the soup first.

The hunter's brows knit together. "What'd ya just say?"

"Whatever happened to ladies first?" she quipped.

Daryl's eyes were blue slits, and he wiped away a bit of soup from the corner of his bottom lip. "I wanted to see how hot it was…so ya wouldn't burn your damn tongue. Jesus…" he winced again at the pain in his mouth.

Carol didn't know what to say. Daryl Dixon was living, breathing proof that chivalry had survived the apocalypse. Her lips spread into a smile that she tried to hide behind her hands. She never thought she'd associate Daryl with the word sweet, but she didn't know what else to call it… He'd thought of her, before himself…and judging from his pained expression, he'd spared her a significant amount of discomfort. "Daryl…" she started to say. "I'm…I'm sorry…I didn't…"

But he just snorted. "Quit. I'm fine. Soup probably needs another minute though."

She couldn't help it; she chuckled at that.

"Glad you're gettin' a kick outta this," he groused.

His aggravation only made her laugh harder.

"I'm just makin' your damn night ain't I? What with these minor burns…'n tellin' ya how the kid nearly got our asses killed..."

Carol finally managed to get herself under control. She wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes, and focused on her partner. "I'm sorry. I'll stop."

"Mhmm." he grunted. "That's damn near all I heard when we got back from that run. Glenn was just runnin' his mouth…goin' on about how sorry he was…beggin' me to keep quiet about it."

"A request, which apparently wasn't honored…" she chuckled.

"He's lucky I didn't mention that shit to Rick."

Carol sighed and shook her head. "I still think you're being a little hard on him."

"Yeah," he shrugged. " I done heard what you think."

She cocked her head to the side and stared at him. "You didn't hear all of it…" she bit her bottom lip and waited for him to say something.

Daryl seemed to forget his various frustrations the instant her teeth caught her flesh. That simple action managed to spark his interest, and he was suddenly very eager to hear everything she had to say.

"You keep saying that it was stupid…that Glenn risked his life…your lives" she quickly corrected herself. "And you think he did it for the wrong reasons…"

"That about sums it up." he said.

Carol clasped her hands under her chin and tried to organize her thoughts. She needed to choose her next words carefully. She was an intelligent woman, plagued by more sexual frustration than she could possibly hope to deal with on her own…and she needed to ensure that her words had the desired effect.

"I disagree." she finally said

Daryl eyed her, but didn't speak.

"I think Glenn had a perfectly valid reason." she said matter-of-factly.

Daryl snorted. "Ya think him gettin' laid was worth me riskin' my damn life? That it?"

Carol narrowed her eyes and smirked at him. "First of all, you're exaggerating."

"What?" he snapped.

"I highly doubt that your life was in danger…." said Carol.

The hunter's temper was beginning to flare. "Ya weren't there..ya didn't see what…"

"No," she interrupted. "I wasn't there…but, I know you. And you know your way around walkers. You can handle yourself."

Daryl was torn. He felt like he was being complimented and chided at once…it was an unfamiliar sensation. He stared at the flames for a few seconds, as he tried to make sense of Carol's statement. "Alright…fine." he grunted, his eyes flicking back to her face. "Maybe it wasn't the cluster fuck I was makin' it out to be…but it was still stupid…'n there were geeks around us."

Carol smiled at him. "Okay….we're making progress. Now if you can admit that maybe the two of you weren't teetering on the brink of death…can you also acknowledge the validity of Glenn's reasoning?"

He huffed. "Still havin' trouble with that part."

She shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. "Alright," she sighed. "I'm going to try and explain my perspective…I just need you to hear me out. Sound good?" she asked, her blue eyes fixed on him.

Daryl brought his thumb to his mouth and began gnawing the nail, but he answered her with a simple nod.

"Great." she clasped her hands together before continuing. "So…you see it as Glenn just wanting to get laid, right?"

Daryl glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "That's what I said," he growled under his breath. "I'll say it again too…kid was just lookin' to get off."

Carol sighed again. She wanted this to go perfectly. She wanted to say all the right things, at the right time, but then she realized that she was over thinking it. Daryl was always the type to say exactly what he thought…no regrets, no reservations…and Carol felt the need to do the same. So, setting aside her carefully planned discussion points, she decided to take a page from the hunter's book, and say exactly what she was thinking in that moment.

"Is that all it is to you?" Carol asked. The smile on her face had faded…leaving behind a serious, even slightly somber expression.

Daryl's lips parted, and his thumb slowly fell away from his mouth. He hadn't counted on that question…and he wasn't sure how to respond. Staring at his companion through the gloom, the hunter let the words echo in his skull…

Carol grew anxious as she waited for him to speak. Her tongue darted quickly over her lips. "Is that all it is?" she asked again.

Daryl knew that he should answer her…but he couldn't.

Realizing that he wasn't going to respond, Carol sighed and ran her hands over her face. "It's so much more than that…" she said. "He wasn't being selfish; and he wasn't wrong." Carol insisted.

Daryl looked at her, his brows knitting together.

"He was thinking about her. He's always thinking about her…she's the person he cares for most on this earth. And he was thinking about the fact that the prison could fall. We don't know if the governor's still alive out there, and if he is…we can't begin to guess when he might come back, or how many people he'll have with him when he does…"

"Sayin' the prison ain't safe?" Daryl growled softly.

"It's safe for now." said Carol. "That doesn't mean it's going to last. We can't take things like that for granted anymore…we don't have that luxury. Everything is limited. Think about it. Our food, our ammo, our people.." she was counting things off on her fingers as she spoke. "And our time…" her voice was low. "Everything is rationed."

A shadow seemed to cross Daryl's features as he listened to her. He'd spent so much time worrying about his hunts, and how to keep everyone fed, that he never stopped to consider the fact that the prison could be taken from them… Everything they'd built…the lives they'd created for themselves…it could all disappear in a day…in an afternoon. The crease deepened in Daryl's brow. The only thing keeping the rest of the world out was a chain-link fence…if the fence ever fell…but the hunter didn't want to think about that.

Carol studied him; she could see that her words were sinking in. "It's incredible." she said softly.

Daryl lifted his chin and met her gaze.

"The prison…" she explained. "What we've been able to build there… We have gardens and livestock…there's kids there…It really is amazing, considering what it was when we found it… But even so…it's temporary."

"What's all this got to do with Glenn?" He asked, his voice a rough whisper.

Carol stared at him for several seconds. After taking a deep, cleansing breath, she answered him. "That's what Glenn was thinking about when he ran into that pharmacy. None of us know how much time we have left. He's just holding onto the good that he's found. He wants to experience joy, pleasure…as much as he can, for as long as he can…and we can't fault him that. It's normal…it's…" She paused, searching for the right words. "It's human."

Daryl was at a loss. All he could do was hold her gaze.

"Does that make sense?" she asked. "Because it should…" she sighed and reached for her water bottle, taking a few sips.

"Ya really believe all that?" he asked in a low growl.

Carol set her bottle down again and stared hard at the hunter. "Of course I do. I mean…" she reached up to rub her temple. "Don't you ever stop and wonder why we're doing all this?"

"All what?"

She took a moment to look around, admiring the dark forest that surrounded them. "This." Carol answered. "This trip. We're out here to find food that we can take back to the prison…so that no one goes hungry…so that we have the strength to fight off the person, or people, who will eventually try and take the prison from us. And once everyone gets their fill, and we're all at our best, we'll need more food…so that we can keep getting up, building our defenses, making supply runs…do you see where I'm going with this?" she asked.

"That's survival." said Daryl.

"It is." She acknowledged, her voice soft. "But that's not enough."

"What are ya sayin'?"

Carol clasped her hands in her lap and stared down at them. When she finally lifted her chin to meet his gaze, her eyes were clear and focused. "I don't want to just survive."

The hunter was lost again.

"It's not enough to live out of habit…we're just going through the motions. People need things to hold onto….things to make all of this worthwhile…and Glenn has that. He was lucky enough to find Maggie…to make a connection with her. I guess what I'm saying is…the two of them aren't just alive…they're living. Think about it…" she said. "By taking that risk, and going into that pharmacy, Glenn knew he'd be giving himself, and Maggie, more chances to be together…to feel something real. It can't just be about survival all the time…it just can't." Carol said the words with such conviction, she even managed to surprise herself.

"Seems like ya done some thinkin' about this…before now, I mean."

Carol was tempted to laugh, but she didn't. "Yeah," she breathed. "Recently…I have. You don't?" she asked.

Daryl shook his head. "Naw."

Carol was momentarily dumbstruck. "Really?"

He started gnawing his thumbnail again but didn't answer.

"You're satisfied with the way things are?"

"I'm alive." he said.

Carol sighed. "Okay; let's try something else. What was the highlight of your week?"

The hunter thought about it for a second. "Brought in a couple big rabbits the other day."

She leaned forward, holing her head in her hands.

"What's wrong with that?" he asked. "That was a good fuckin' day as far as I'm concerned."

"Rabbits…that was the highlight of your week?" she said, incredulous. "Don't you want to be able to give a better answer to that question?"

Daryl still didn't understand.

Carol lifted her chin and studied him. "Don't you want more? Don't you want to live…I mean actually live, before you die?"

"Seems like me 'n you got different ideas 'bout what livin' is."

"It's more than eating, fighting, sleeping and running." she insisted. "It's friendship…love, happiness, laughter, passion, release…" Carol stopped when she realized that Daryl just wasn't following. Sighing in defeat, she ran her hands over her face. "I'm sorry…I just…I felt like I needed to say that. I'll stop. I didn't mean to ramble."

"Naw," he growled softly. "It's fine."

She glanced at him, trying to gauge his sincerity.

"Really." Daryl assured her. "It's fine."

Carol gave him a weak smile and then reached for the can of soup that sat between them. "We should get back to dinner." she said before taking a sip.

Daryl watched her as she tasted the soup. "It makes sense." he said.

"Hm?" her eyes flicked to his face.

"What ya said…all that about survivin'…it makes sense. Folks ain't built for just eatin' 'n sleepin'…"

"No." She took another quick sip before handing him the can. "They're not."

Their fingers brushed, sending a jolt of electricity through each of their arms. They both cleared their throats, ignoring the sudden sensation. Daryl took a few sips before speaking again. "Guess it's just easier…" he mumbled.

"What is?"

"Focusin' on things like food, ammo…supplies. Shit we all need. Things we know how to get our hands on." He passed the can back to her.

"It is easier." she acknowledged, accepting the offering. "But that doesn't mean we should give up on the rest."

Daryl shrugged. "Some of it ain't that easy to come by."

Carol took another sip of soup. "It takes time. I think letting people in is the first step. Making connections."

"Ain't exactly my strong suit." he said.

Carol held the warm can in her hands and smiled at him. "You're not giving yourself enough credit."

The hunter eyed her, a skeptical look on his face.

"Well, friends…for instance. That's a meaningful connection; at least I think it is." she said.

Daryl was still staring at her.

"We're friends." Carol explained. "And you can't sit here and tell me that Michonne, Rick, Glenn, Carl, Herschel…all the rest of them…you can't look me in the eye and tell me they're not your friends too."

The hunter brought his thumbnail back to his mouth and shrugged.

"They are." she insisted.

"I guess." He muttered, spitting out a nail fragment.

Carol rolled her eyes and took a sip from the can. "So we can agree that you've already established meaningful connections with the people in your life. Now all you need to do is build on them."

"Why?"

She just stared at him as if he'd said something completely ridiculous. "Because that's why we're still here. Everything we've been through…the things we've had to do…it wasn't so that we could live like animals...running and hiding, putting all of our energy into searching for food and shelter… We're here to rebuild…to lead lives worth living. We should make the most of the time we have left, and they best way to do that…in my opinion, is to continue forging connections with each other. After all, none of us would've made it this far on our own." When she'd finished speaking, Carol handed him the can.

He took it from her, his eyes fixed on her face. "Real deep thinker ain't ya?"

She chuckled in spite of herself. "Rick's been putting me on the night watch shift a lot lately…plenty of time for thinking."

"No shit." he said, before taking a sip.

They shared a laugh over that. "Well," she said, "Now you know what I think. Whether you wanted to or not." Carol's raised her arms before letting them drop to her lap.

Daryl chuckled. "It's fine."

"I really wasn't trying to ramble." she said, smiling at him.

"Ya weren't."

Carol rubbed her tired eyes. "Felt like I was."

The hunter leaned over, nudging her knee with the can. "Naw. You were just tryin' to get some shit off your mind. Ain't no harm there. Keep on talkin' if ya want."

She lifted her chin to look at him as she accepted the offering. "Sure you're not tired of listening?"

He smiled at her and shook his head. "Told ya; it's fine."

Carol couldn't keep the grin off her face as she brought the can to her lips. "Alright, if you really mean it." she teased. "I can keep going."

Daryl reached for a small twig and began tracing patterns in the dirt. "Go on," he insisted without looking at her. "Maybe I like listenin'."

Carol froze. The can was still clutched in her hands, but her attention was on the hunter who sat just over a foot away. She studied him in the soft light of the fire, and noticed that there was a small smirk on his mouth. Her heart skipped a beat and she was so fixated, that she didn't have time to look away before he lifted his chin and caught her stating at him.

"Daryl; please…just go to sleep. I'm fine. Really."

But the hunter refused to acknowledge the request.

Carol was in her sleeping bag, lying on her side. She propped herself up on one elbow as she stared at her companion. "I swear. I don't mind."

"I got this."

Carol sighed, releasing some of the frustration that was pent up inside her. "I've been taking all those watch shifts lately…I'm already used to this schedule; let me do it." she argued.

Daryl focused on the gun in his hand, and made sure it was loaded. He was sitting cross-legged on top of his sleeping bag. "I said I got it." he growled without looking at her.

"Fine. But you can't stop me from staying up with you." she huffed.

The hunter blew out a breath and turned to glare at her. "Go on 'n explain to me, what kinda sense it makes for both of us to lose sleep?"

Carol drummed her fingers on the fabric of her sleeping bag but didn't offer up an answer.

Daryl snorted. "That's what I thought. Now go to bed. I'll wake ya in a couple hours."

"Why do you have to take first watch?" she asked, refusing to give up the fight.

He sighed and ran a hand through his tangled, dark hair. "I don't have to. I wanna. Ain't much of a sleeper anyhow."

"Neither am I."

Daryl's temper was starting to get the best of him. The hairs at the base of his neck were standing up. "You're gettin' on my damn nerves."

"Oh really?" Carol asked. She was still propped on her side, her eyes fixed on the brooding hunter. "Because if it weren't for me…Rick never would've let this trip happen."

Daryl kept a low growl locked in his chest and tried to ignore her. He sat on his sleeping bag, with his gun in his lap, and stared resolutely at the zipped tent flap.

Agitated by the loss of his attention, Carol frowned. Her blue eyes narrowed and she began to sit up, working her way out of the sleeping bag. "You can't stop me from staying up with you." she said.

The hunter snapped then. Hot blood was rushing through his veins and his nostrils flared a little with every breath. Gritting his teeth, he turned and found himself face to face with his companion. Carol was startled by the sudden movement and didn't have time to react before Daryl pushed her. His strong arm shot out…his palm hitting her chest, shoving her onto her back.

The instant his hand made contact with her skin, fear and anger began warring inside her…the emotions surging with alarming speed and intensity. All she wanted was to fight him…to resist. When her back hit the sleeping bag, she lost her breath. He was looming over her, pinning her down, and Carol's hands gripped his wrist…her nails clawing at his skin as she struggled to break free. They were both breathing hard, glaring at each other, and neither seemed to know how they'd reached that point.

As the blood continued to pound in Carol's ears, she came to a startling realization. Daryl's hand was still on her body…his broad, sweaty palm pressed to her chest. She could feel his fingertips dipping into the well of her throat. She stared up into his cold, blue eyes, and began losing herself in the color. The shade was something between ocean water and slate…she couldn't make herself look away. Shocks of dark hair framed his face and Carol was tempted to reach for him…to tug at him until his mouth was hovering over hers. Slowly, her grip loosened on his wrist…but she didn't let go.

Carol's tongue darted quickly over her lips as she worked to control her breathing. The longer she stared at him, the better she felt. Her anger disappeared, only to be replaced with arousal. She found that she liked being held down…she liked the feeling of Daryl's calloused hand on her skin. As she tried to read the expression on the hunter's face, Carol could feel every last one of her sexual urges, her cravings, rushing to the surface. She wanted him…bad. The lust began clouding her thoughts. While Carol's mind wandered, her delicate fingers traced subtle patterns on his wrist. She wasn't aware that a smirk was tugging at the corner of her mouth…or that a soft pink color was forming quietly on her cheeks. Her blue eyes flicked to his hand, that was splayed on her chest, before settling on his face again.

"What…exactly…do you think you're doing?" she asked, a hushed, teasing tone to her voice.

Daryl seemed startled by the question. His fingertips flexed involuntarily, and he could feel the sweat on her skin. "I don't know." he admitted in a rough whisper. The hunter swallowed hard and tried to slow his breathing. He stole a quick glance at his wrist, his insides twisting when he noticed the way her fingers were curled so gently around it…her skin was slightly pale against his… He swallowed hard before meeting her gaze. "What are you doin'?'

The smirk was spreading into a playful smile on Carol's lips. "I don't know." she chuckled softly.

Daryl wasn't sure what to think of the look on her face. A minute ago, she was glaring at him…but now… He wondered if there was a part of her that liked being held down. He turned the thought over and over in his mind, and the hairs at the base of his neck stood up. Every beat of his heart sent more warm blood coursing through his frame…from the tips of his toes, all the way to his fingers. He felt alive, awake, and all he wanted was to keep his hand on her body. The hunter was savoring the warmth of her skin, and he couldn't help but smirk at the irony of their situation. The two of them were isolated…surrounded by miles and miles of undisturbed wilderness. They'd made the trek into the woods with a single objective in mind…hunting. They were exhausted…filthy, but Daryl felt, in that moment, that he'd finally cornered his prey. He had her on her back…she was at his mercy, and he was reluctant to give up the control he'd found.

Daryl could feel the beating of her heart…the way her chest rose and fell with every breath… His lids were growing heavy as he studied his partner. He seemed to notice her freckles for the first time…the faint markings dotting the bridge of her nose. The hunter's eyes narrowed as he tried to count them. Distracted by her face, and the steady pounding of her heart beneath his palm, Daryl didn't notice that Carol's grip was beginning to tighten around his wrist.

She was still smiling up at him, enjoying the feeling on his hand on her skin. Carol didn't know how someone she'd known for so long…someone she'd lived with, and fought alongside of for nearly two years, could suddenly have such an intense effect on her. She stared at the familiar face, and realized that all she wanted to do was kiss him. She wanted to know what he tasted like, how his lips would feel on hers…how his body would feel pressed against her own…it was all she could think about. Each new thought sent a rush of heat straight down to her core. As much as she loved the hunter's dominant side, and as happy as she would've been to lie there and let him have his way, Carol wasn't the submissive type. She'd spent a lifetime taking orders…cowering, and holding her tongue. But that woman died, along with Ed and Sophia. That pathetic shell of a human being didn't exist anymore. Carol had become a confident, capable fighter, and she wasn't afraid of a challenge. She wanted Daryl, but on her own terms.

Her eyes narrowed slightly and she noticed how the hunter's expression had changed. He was focused on her…his fingertips flexed every few seconds, as if he needed to remind himself that she was still there, and that he still had a hold on her. As she continued to study his face, Carol wondered if they were both experiencing the same thing...if they were caught in the same trance... Knowing that she needed to act, Carol decided to take advantage of the hunter's temporary daze. She held tight to his wrist and bit her bottom lip. Before either of them could take their next breath, Carol grunted and sat up suddenly, making him blink...

The action brought them closer...her face was just inches from his, and she watched as his eyes grew wide. Carol couldn't tell if he was scared, or aroused...it didn't matter. They were close, and she didn't want anything to separate them. His lips parted to make way for ragged breaths and he clawed lightly at her slick chest. Color was making its way into Daryl's cheeks and he didn't know what to do. He could feel the shocks of hair sticking to his temples and he swallowed hard. The way she was staring at him made his entire body warm; he had to look away. Glancing down, Daryl noticed that she was still holding his wrist...that was when it struck him...

She ain't lettin' go...

And he knew he couldn't either. The hunter didn't know what was happening between the two of them...but it unnerved him. The moment Carol sat up, invading his space, he felt that some of the control had been taken from him. Daryl wasn't used to relinquishing control, and he couldn't start now. In a feeble attempt to reassert his dominance, the hunter pressed against her chest. He wanted to push her back down...he needed to...but Carol was stronger than he'd anticipated, and she refused to submit. Her fingers were curled around his wrist as she fought to stay upright.

But Daryl grunted softly and kept his hand on her body. He wasn't going to let her win. Their eyes met and they stared hard at one another. Daryl licked his lips and worked to slow his breathing. "What's it gonna take?" he growled.

Carol cocked her head to the side, a small crease forming in her brow.

"To get ya to sleep..." he explained.

The smirk spread on her face and she leaned in closer. She saw the way Daryl tensed...a muscle in his jaw twitching...and it only added to her confidence. With her mouth at his ear, Carol whispered to him. "More than you've got."

Daryl felt the hushed words hit his skin and he shuddered. As the sudden chill worked its way down his spine, the hunter tried to make sense of what she'd said. His eyes narrowed when the meaning finally sank in. Anger burned hot beneath his skin and he needed an outlet...he needed to fight. But he knew he couldn't lash out at her. He suspected that Carol was just trying to get under his skin...to rattle him. If he lost his temper..she would win, and he couldn't let that happen. The hunter wanted to show her that he was up for the challenge.

Carol thought she was in control...that she knew what she was doing when she whispered into his ear. But once she was there, breathing him in, she felt the familiar rush...the high she got just from being close to him. It went straight to her head, making her dizzy, and all she wanted was more. She smiled, her eyes fluttering closed as she pulled his scent into her lungs.

Fuck...

It made her core hurt, and her body hum, but she couldn't stop. It wasn't just a scent...it was a feeling, a taste, and she was quickly becoming addicted. Her grip loosened on his wrist and her fingers resumed tracing the light patterns on his skin. She was using every last ounce of will power to keep herself from nuzzling him, but she wasn't sure how much longer she would last...she needed to be closer...to touch him...

"More than I got?" Daryl echoed, his tongue darting out over his chapped lips again. "That what you think?" he growled under his breath.

Even the sound of his voice made her shiver.

"I ain't lettin' ya stay up." he whispered roughly.

Carol was trying desperately to remain calm. "You can't stop me..." she teased.

Her words hit his earlobe and he growled. A bead of sweat slipped slowly down his back. "I can." he insisted.

Daryl could smell her skin, her hair...and the scent was making him restless...hungry. He knew that his only advantage was physical strength, and he needed to use it. Gritting his teeth, he applied pressure with his hand, and seemed to catch her off guard. She gasped as her back hit the sleeping bag. Daryl was looming over her again, and the two survivors stared at one another.

Carol's breathing had picked up, and her chest rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern beneath his hand. She wanted to arch her back...invite him to explore. She wanted to feel that strong, calloused hand slide down her body... She'd had every intention of fighting him and staying up, but as she watched him watching her, Carol realized that he wasn't going to give in. When Daryl wanted something, there was usually nothing that could sway him. She figured her energy was probably best reserved for other things anyway. Releasing a sigh heavy with sexual frustration, Carol uncurled her fingers. Once her hands fell away from Daryl's wrist, she let her arms extend back behind her head in surrender.

"Fine," she breathed, still smirking at him. "You win."

Daryl smirked back at her. "Good. Now stay put, 'n get some sleep." With that, he slowly pulled his hand away from her body. The instant they separated, the hunter found that he missed the warmth of her skin. He spoke to distract himself. "I'll wake ya in a few hours 'n your happy ass can take over."

Carol rolled her eyes.

Daryl wanted to clear his head...to refocus on the task at hand. Watch wasn't something to be taken lightly, especially in a strange place...at night. But he couldn't get himself to stop looking at her. The way those slender arms were extended behind her head...like she was giving up...like she was at his mercy again... It was redirecting the flow of blood to his brain.

"What?" she asked, biting the corner of her lip.

The hunter snorted and used one hand to push the damp hair back from his brow. "Nothin'." His eyes flicked back to her face for a moment, and he wondered if he would ever have a chance to finish counting her freckles.

Quit.

The unwelcome thoughts were having a very immediate effect on his body and he needed another distraction. Turning away from Carol, he sat back down on his own sleeping bag and retrieved the gun that slid from his lap when he first shoved her. It occurred to Daryl, as he sat with his legs crossed, wincing a little at the pain below his waist, that the tent was entirely too small. He'd grown used to sharing cramped quarters with his fellow survivors...but this was different...or it seemed different. He was alone with Carol, for starters... Daryl grunted softly to himself and turned the gun over in his hands. He frowned when he realized that the whole fucking tent smelled like her...her hair...the sweat on her skin...

That's gonna be a big help...

He sighed and waited for his blood flow to return to normal. The sound of a zipper stirred him from his thoughts, and he glanced over his shoulder. "What are ya doin'?"

"In case you haven't noticed, it's a little hot in here." she answered without looking at him. She was working to unzip her sleeping bag. "And I don't feel like sweating in this damn cocoon all night." Once she'd finished, she reached for the hem of her shirt and proceeded to pull the dingy fabric up and over her head.

Daryl's brows knit together as he stared at her.

She set her shirt aside before running her hands through her mussed hair. When she lifted her chin and met the hunter's gaze, she chuckled. "What?" Carol asked, raising her arms at her sides. "It's hot."

Daryl didn't know what to say. His eyes flicked briefly to her bare shoulders before settling on her face again.

Carol looked down at her battered tank top; she always wore one under her shirts...even in warm weather. She'd adopted the habit a long time ago. If something ever caught hold of her clothes on a run, and she needed to get away quickly, Carol wanted to know that she had the option of ditching a top layer. She'd never thought anything of it. When her eyes found Daryl's, she chuckled at the look on his face...like a disapproving parent...

"I'm sorry." she said. "Does this make you uncomfortable?"

The hunter snorted and looked away.

Carol smirked as she crawled in his direction. Daryl was trying valiantly to ignore her, but he could hear her getting closer. He shuddered when he felt her hands resting on his shoulders. "What are ya doin' now?" he growled, the sound was heavy with frustration. He kept his eyes trained on the tent flap and sat stock-still.

"Nothing." she said as she knelt behind him.

Daryl tensed when he felt her pushing the vest off his shoulders. He wanted to stop her, but he couldn't find the words. Reluctantly, he sighed and let the gun rest in his lap. Daryl reached back towards her, letting her slide the vest down his arms. He wasn't about to admit it, but he felt a little better once the heavy garment was gone.

Carol set the vest aside. "I don't know how you wear that thing in this heat." she said.

Daryl huffed. "Don't know why your ass can't just go to sleep."

She chuckled again. "Just wanted you to be comfortable."

"I'm fine." he growled.

Carol was still kneeling behind him. Her hands returned to his shoulders. He was still wearing a sleeveless shirt, made of some thin material. She could see where his sweat had darkened the fabric, and she wanted so badly to taste it, but she closed her eyes and let the thought go. With a soft sigh, she gave his shoulders a squeeze. "I'll leave you to it then." she whispered, her mouth was at his ear.

Daryl swallowed hard, but didn't speak.

"Just wake me if you need company." said Carol. Her hands fell away from his shoulders and she crawled back to her bedroll. Curling up on her side, she willed herself to relax.

After several seconds, Daryl glanced back at her.

Carol's eyes were closed, but she could feel him watching her. A small smile spread on her mouth and she had to keep herself from laughing. "Aren't you supposed to be keeping watch?" she asked.

Daryl blushed and looked away. "Ain't ya supposed to be sleepin'?" he growled.

She laughed then, her body shaking as she worked to contain the sound.

The hunter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was going to be a long night.

Birds stretched their wings and squirrels moved quickly down tree trunks. Insects and animals emerged from their hiding places with caution as the forest came to life. Leaves hung heavy with dew, the clear drops shining quietly in the pre-dawn gloom. A rabbit sped through the brush, its footsteps muffled by the rich, dark earth beneath its paws. Deer turned up leaf litter with their wet noses, their white tails flicking back and forth. Unbeknownst to the tent's two occupants, the rest of the world seemed to be shaking off its slumber.

Carol groaned softly and adjusted the bundle of clothes under her head. She was still caught somewhere between the waking world and her dreams. Her eyes were closed and her skin was damp...a night in the hot, cramped tent left her body covered in a fine sheet of sweat. She'd slept with her sleeping bag open, in the hopes of cooling off, but the stifling warmth still plagued her. Carol sighed into her makeshift pillow and shifted on her bedroll. The heat made it almost impossible to sleep comfortably. But the instant Carol moved, her lips parted and a small gasp escaped her.

It wasn't just humid, stale air making her sweat. Sleep hadn't relinquished its hold on her, and she had no way of knowing that the warmth in the tent had more than one source. When she shifted on the sleeping bag, she felt something at her back...and then there was movement near her waist... A small crease formed in her brow, but she was still too tired to act on her vague concerns. Instead, she adjusted the bundle of clothes again. The force at her back seemed to respond to her movements...a sudden pressure on her hips made her breath catch.

Daryl had no idea that his hand had been resting on her waist...and he wasn't aware that the same hand was slowly sliding down to her hip. With a soft grunt, he held onto her body and bucked against her. She gasped, but the sound couldn't reach him through the thick fog of sleep. All he knew was that he liked the feeling of the softness he'd found. His eyes were closed, strands of dark, tangled hair hung in his face. He squeezed her hip before letting his hand travel back up her body, towards her small waist. The hunter's calloused palm slid along her curves, up...fingers splaying when he reached the dip at her waist...then back down, to her hip. He gripped her there, his own hips bucking weakly, making her gasp again.

Carol didn't know what was happening, but the heat seemed to be getting worse...and there was a twinge of pain between her legs. It wasn't enough to wake her, but she was growing restless. She was dimly aware of something pressing up against her...something warm. Daryl bucked behind her and she groaned in response. Whatever it was...the strange force at her back...Carol found that she liked it. Shifting on the bedroll again, she pushed back, countering Daryl's movements.

The hunter growled at the sudden resistance and bucked harder, his fingernails pricking at the skin near her hip. He inched closer to her warmth, his nose brushing the nape of her neck. He was muttering softly into her skin and grinding his hips into her ass. Daryl used his grip to keep her body flush with his.

Fresh sweat was breaking out on Carol's forehead and the pain had grown sharp between her legs. She could feel something touching her...there was pressure on her hips...something was brushing her neck, almost tickling her...and every time she pushed back, an unseen force was jerking forward, pressing against her ass. Carol's brows knit together as she realized that it wasn't just heat behind her...

Daryl nuzzled her neck and inhaled as much of her as he could. She was so warm...so soft and responsive. Each time he bucked, she pushed back into him. The friction...the proximity...her scent, it was all too much. The sensations sent blood rushing to his groin until he was hard. He could feel himself swelling...his member growing...but he couldn't stop. Daryl needed to stay close to her, to keep pressing into that softness. When his shaft was completely rigid, he shuddered at the feeling of her ass moving back against him. Her warm body brushed his groin, slowly, purposefully, and he nuzzled her neck again. His hips seemed to act on their own, bucking every few seconds. The hunter's mind was hazy, and his cock was throbbing within the confines of his boxers. He wanted more friction, more heat...his hand traveled from her hip, down to her smooth, bare thigh...

Carol was panting into her makeshift pillow as the ache in her core grew worse. Despite the warmth of the tent, goose bumps were rising on her arms and legs. She didn't know what was happening...but she knew she didn't want it to stop. When she pushed back, Carol could feel the sudden hardness pressing against her ass, and a soft whine escaped her.

Daryl's fingers were curling around the top of her thigh and her scent was in his nose. He nuzzled the base of her neck again, breathing her in...he could feel his cock getting harder. The hunter growled into the crook of her neck and bucked, seeking release. The flesh of her thigh felt so good in his hand. He continued to inhale her...she smelled like a woman and he loved being so close to her...surrounded by her. His scruff brushed the tender skin near her shoulder, and she giggled. The sound sent a vibration through her body, and Daryl felt it in his groin. It was his turn to whine. He nipped at her shoulder and ran his hand up and down her leg.

Carol was clutching desperately at the rumpled sleeping bag beneath her...her nails digging into the fabric... Daryl's body was strong, hard, warm behind her. Every touch made her tremble. When she felt his scruff at the base of her neck, she bit her bottom lip and tried to stifle the nervous giggle that was bubbling up inside her. Carol pushed back, loving the way he countered her movements. She took a deep breath, savoring his sharp, masculine scent...that aura that seemed to surround the both of them... He squeezed her thigh, and she moaned at the feeling of his calloused palm on her bare skin...

Bare skin?

Carol felt her breath catch as a realization struck her. The heavy fog of sleep was slowly beginning to clear...and as the shadows melted away, rational thoughts crept into her aching skull...one by one. Her eyes were still closed, but a deep crease was forming in her brow. She stopped panting long enough to repeat the two words silently in her head...

Bare...skin...

They sounded even stranger the second time...they didn't make sense... As she struggled to fully wake up, Carol tried to get her bearings.

Where? What...why would there be bare skin...I don't...

But before she could finish the jumbled thought, Daryl bucked against her ass. The hardness pressing into her from behind was enough to make her eyes snap open. She blinked at the surrounding gloom and gasped into her pillow. It took her several seconds to remember where she was, and when the pieces fell back into place, she swallowed hard.

Oh my god...

Her heart started to thrum with frightening speed. The tip of her tongue darted out over her lips and she cast a quick glance down at her body. She was still curled on her side...resting on the open sleeping bag. Her dingy tank top was plastered to the sweat on her skin...but her pants were gone... She started to panic...she couldn't remember taking them off... Carol was shaking as she stared down at the cotton panties she was wearing. Her toes curled out of nervousness.

What happened?

Carol's mind was racing as she considered possible explanations...but the pressure on her thigh caught her attention... She gasped again, the crease in her brow deepening as she squinted through the darkness and focused on the very real hand that was gripping her leg.

Jesus Christ....

But Carol quickly discovered that the hand was the least of her concerns...there was a body next to her... a warm, living, breathing body that definitely wasn't next to her when she fell asleep... Her brain was struggling to accept the fact that the body belonged to Daryl...that it was his hand curled around her thigh... Carol's heart rate seemed to speed up with each passing second.

Daryl.

The muscles in her stomach were knotting up. She tried to remain calm...to keep her breathing even. The last thing she needed was for him to wake up. If she was having trouble assessing their current sleeping arrangement, Carol knew that his reaction would be even worse.

He shifted behind her, his nose brushing her neck, and she felt a rush of heat going straight to her core. He continued to grind slowly into her ass and she was shocked when her body reacted on instinct, pushing back into him... She hadn't meant to do it...to encourage him...at least...she didn't think she meant it. Carol was still in the process of waking up and she couldn't be sure. She had so many questions...

How did we get here? Why...when did he get so close to me?

He bucked his hips and she couldn't stop the small moan that escaped her. Her blue eyes grew wide when she realized that she wasn't the only one whose pants had gone missing during the night. She swallowed hard and tired not to think about the fact that his arousal was pressing into her from behind. She could feel the rigid outline of his manhood through his boxers.

Fuck...

Carol was getting wet. The sensation startled her. She couldn't remember the last time... It was definitely before the turn...and it certainly hadn't been because of a man. Carol was always the type to take care of her own needs. Ed never worried about whether or not she was satisfied in bed, and that was fine with her. She learned to ease the ache between her legs, quickly and quietly...usually with the help of a vibrator. But this was different. She was responding to Daryl...to his body...and he seemed to be responding to her's... She could feel his legs behind her...his feet...so much of his skin was touching her's.

Where the fuck did his pants go?

Not that Carol minded the contact...but she thought that he might...at least when he woke up.

He has no idea what he's doing...

But his body sure seemed to. She shivered when she felt him growling softly into the crook of her neck. He was maintaining his grip on her leg, keeping her close. His skin was damp and warm against hers. The hunter's flat stomach was pressed to her back, and his body seemed to be curling protectively around hers. He nuzzled her shoulder blade, making her whimper.

And his shirt? What happened there?

Carol's brows knit together as she tried to determine where their clothes had gone... Daryl wasn't in the habit of shedding layers for anyone...ever. And she couldn't begin to guess what would possess the both of them to ditch their pants. With the tip of her tongue resting between her lips, and her heart thrumming in her chest, Carol began analyzing her options.

I can pretend I'm asleep. I can lie here...act like nothing's changed. I'll just wait until he wakes up...we'll separate...we don't need to address it.

But Carol wasn't sure how long she could keep the charade going. He was turning her on and making her restless. If she remained in her current position, lying next to him...her body would just continue to respond, and she worried that the friction between them would lead to something Daryl wasn't ready for. She slammed her eyes shut when she felt his erection pressing into her again.

Or...we can keep going...

The thought was tempting. The hunter was obviously seeking contact, even if he didn't realize it.

Would that be wrong? Just to keep going?

She didn't know. Part of Carol, the weaker part, considered pushing the panties down her legs. She could do it slowly...carefully...just slide the fabric down far enough to expose her core. She could reach back and tug at his waistband until his manhood was free...and then...things would progress naturally...they could...

Jesus! Stop...

Carol brought the dangerous train of thought to a screeching halt.

Not like this. He doesn't know what he's doing. He's probably just dreaming.

Of course, given the hunter's positioning, and the state of his body... he could only be dreaming of so many things...

Maybe you should just wake him...end this. You're not his plaything.

But she wanted to be. Carol sighed and fought the urge to push back against him. She laid on the sleeping bag and agonized over how to proceed. While Carol was busy weighing pros and cons, her partner was slowly emerging from the murky world of sleep.

Daryl's mind was cloudy with fatigue and the soft scent of Carol's skin. His body was strangely warm, and there was a nagging pain below his waist. He tightened his grip on her thigh before sliding his hand back up to her hip. Her skin seemed to tremble under his touch. His eyes were still closed, and his chapped lips were barely touching the nape of her neck. There was something comforting about holding her. The closeness made him feel good...safe, and he ground his hips into her again. When he felt the firm flesh of her ass against his aching cock, Daryl whined. "Fuck..." he muttered into her shoulder.

The blend of pain and pleasure in his groin was very real, and it was pulling the hunter back into the waking world. He could feel sweat on his skin...the dampness made the sleeping bag stick to his side. He shifted, trying to get comfortable, but when he moved...the hunter felt his cock drip. Daryl was completely rigid within the confines of his boxers, and he had no idea how he'd gotten that way. He hadn't dealt with unwelcome morning erections since he was in his early twenties. When Daryl realized that his boxers were the only clothes on his body, panic seized his heart. His blue eyes flew open, and he tried to adjust to the gloom that filled the tent.

For several frightening moments, Daryl didn't know where he was...or who he was with. All he knew was that he was surrounded by heat, a familiar scent, and his member was engorged. The hunter's blood froze in his veins when he realized that the source of all those things was Carol.

Fucking hell...

Any joy or pleasure he'd taken from pressing his body against hers disappeared in an instant. He was filled with a crippling blend of fear and confusion. He swallowed hard, and noticed that his mouth had gone dry. It didn't make sense...his chest began to tighten as the anxiety intensified.

The hell happened? Christ...

The hunter was so shaken that he failed to realize his fingers were still curled around her hip. It took a few more confusing seconds before he acknowledged the warm flesh under his palm. Daryl's eyes grew wide and he had to fight the urge to swear as he pulled his hand away from her...His fingers were shaking, as if he'd been stung...or burned...

Lord...What did ya do?

He couldn't even begin to guess...but he knew it wasn't anything good. Daryl was trying to think...to sort it all out...but his groin was demanding attention.

For fuck's sake....

He wasn't just hard...he was hard at dawn, in a small tent, with Carol... Daryl blinked at the darkness as his eyes continued to adjust. He was right next to her... The hunter felt a cold sweat break out on his skin. He really, truly needed an explanation.

Ya'll are curled up like a couple goddamn kittens...how did ya let that happen? Your ass better move...now.

He winced at the angry voice in his head. Daryl had every intention of moving...but he wanted to do it without waking Carol. And then...something occurred to him. A thought so incredibly horrific that it nearly made him sick.

What if she's already awake dumbass?

"Shit..." he breathed. The hunter was so rattled that he didn't realize he'd spoken the word aloud.

The sudden curse roused Carol from her trance and her body twitched. She didn't mean it...she wanted to maintain the charade and convince her partner that she was sleeping, but she'd been so startled by his voice that she jerked. The motion was slight...but it was enough.

In that hellish moment, both survivors had the exact same thought.

Fuck...

Daryl's heart leapt into his throat. Guilt churned inside him, like acid eating away at his gut. He clenched his jaw and eased back...leaving a slice of breathing room between their bodies. When he shifted, Daryl's eyes slammed shut. He was close to coming, and the movement made his cock throb within his boxers. He couldn't stop the hiss that slid from between his teeth.

"Are you okay?" Carol asked as she rolled over to face him, concern etched on her face.

Daryl blinked, and took a second to make sure he'd heard her. He swallowed hard while beads of sweat continued to form at his temples...behind his knees... The hunter appeared to be in some sort of daze; he was too mortified to say anything. His eyes were wide and fearful as he stared at his companion, and he was making every effort to keep his hands away from his groin.

Carol didn't know what to do...how to help him... "Daryl," she said softly, "Are you okay?"

The companions were lying on their sides, staring at one another…each of them looking as though they'd seen a ghost. Neither spoke…and the sound of their strained breathing seemed to fill the small tent. The deafening silence stretched on with agonizing slowness, and Carol wasn't sure how much longer she could take it. Her heart was beating so fast that she began to feel sick, and she knew that Daryl couldn't be doing much better….given the expression on his face. He was confused, frightened…understandably so. This wasn't normal. In fact, Carol was willing to bet that it was about as far from normal as she and Daryl could get. She studied her partner. He looked like he was caught in a nightmare that he couldn't wake up from. Carol took a deep breath, drawing on her courage and rationality.

Okay…it's bad….but it's not that bad. We've gotta get past this. We have to.

She kept her eyes on Daryl's face and refused to let herself look down. As intrigued as she was by the hunter's arousal, Carol knew that any attention, however slight, that she might happen to pay to his groin, would probably give him a stroke. If she even glanced at his boxers, she knew he would cringe. The last thing they needed was for Daryl to have an anxiety attack during the middle of their trip…

There has to be a way out of this…I just need to talk him through it…

She worried that he would bolt at any moment…that any sudden movements might startle him.

Well he's not going to run, at least not for a bit. He can't get far with an erection…

The thought offered a little comfort, but when she looked closer at her companion, Carol could see that he was shaking…trembling, either with fear, or anger…maybe embarrassment, or some terrible combination of the three.

No more waiting.

Carol swallowed hard before speaking. "Daryl," she whispered.

The sound of his own name made the hunter flinch.

"Hey," she breathed, trying to remain calm. "I need you to talk to me. Are you alright?" she asked, her brows knitting together in concern.

His mouth was dry, and he couldn't handle the idea of talking, at least not then, but he kept his eyes locked on hers. He was frozen.

A flicker of movement caught Carol's attention and she noticed that the hunter's hands were balling into nervous fists and he was clutching desperately at the sleeping bag that was still trapped beneath their bodies. Her heart was still thrumming in her chest, and the temperature in the tent seemed to be rising.

"Daryl," she whispered again. "I need something…just a yes or a no…let me know that you're still here. Okay? Are you hearing me?"

The hunter had gone pale. He quickly brought his thumb to his mouth and bit the nail. The voice in his head was urging him to stay silent, but he knew Carol needed an answer. Swallowing hard, he managed a slight nod.

She breathed a small sigh of relief, but knew that the battle was far from over. As she worked to slow her breathing, Carol tried to decide what to say to him. "Are…are you okay?" she asked hesitantly, not wanting to scare him off.

The hunter tore his eyes from hers and focused on the sleeping bag beneath him. He shook his head and continued gnawing at his nail.

Carol hated seeing him like that…fearful, withdrawn…she knew that his state of undress probably wasn't helping matters. Daryl had never been comfortable with his body, from what Carol could tell, and he never changed in front of anyone. But somehow, he'd wound up pressed against her in nothing more than his boxers. She was sure the hunter was acutely aware of his exposed skin. Licking her lips, Carol summoned the words that she hoped would offer him some comfort.

"It's alright." she breathed.

Daryl's eyes flicked anxiously back to her face, but he wouldn't release his thumb. He stared at his companion and felt part of his nail crack between his teeth. He couldn't understand what she'd said.

Alright? How can she think it's alright?

Carol watched as a crease formed in the hunter's brow. "Really," she insisted. "It's fine."

But he just shook his head again, his blue eyes trained on her face.

"It is." she whispered. "I'm fine."

As Daryl lay trembling on the open sleeping bag, he wondered how feasible it would be for him to run.

How far ya gonna get with no clothes dumbass?

The voice in his head was harsh, but Daryl knew he deserved every ounce of guilt that was plaguing him.

Carol could see how much he was struggling…she just wanted to erase the look on his face. "Nothing happened." she said softly.

The hunter stopped chewing his nail.

"Really," she continued, glad that she had his attention. "When you think about it…nothing…actually..happened."

Daryl's eyes narrowed in skepticism.

That ain't the goddamn point…

Anger began simmering beneath his skin, every muscle in his body grew tense. "Nothin' happened?" he echoed, the words coming out as hushed growls.

Carol blinked; she was surprised that he'd actually spoken. "That's right." she whispered.

The hunter's eyes were mean, blue slits. "The hell it is," he hissed.

Carol's lips parted; the anger that she could hear in his voice made her uneasy. "Daryl…"

"Naw," he cut her off suddenly. "Your ass can't lie there 'n tell me nothin' happened. For Christ's sake Carol…" he yanked his thumb away from his mouth and gestured at her body. "You're in your goddamn underwear! What made your dumbass think that was a good idea?"

Once the initial shock wore off, it was Carol's turn to get angry. Her eyes narrowed and her nails began clawing at the sleeping bag. "Excuse me?" she hissed back at him.

Daryl just continued to glare at her.

"You're saying this is my fault? Is that it?" She snapped.

There was so much venom in her words that Daryl flinched. It was wrong to lash out at her; he knew that…but what other choice did he have? Anger was his only defense. He wanted to yell at her…to spit and swear until he was spent. He wanted to ease the guilt that was still eating at him…but as he stared at his companion, he knew he couldn't do any of those things. It wasn't her fault, and she was the last person on earth who should have to deal with some redneck asshole bitching at her. Disgusted with himself, and his actions, Daryl lowered his gaze. He couldn't look at her.

"Naw," he growled, but the fight seemed to have gone out of him. "It ain't your fault." He bit his bottom lip hard and tried to keep himself from saying anything else. He'd already made a mess of things.

Carol was surprised by the change in his voice. She knew then that the outburst was just his way of masking his shame. Daryl was harder on himself than anyone else. Her expression softened as she stared at him. She knew that the hunter was likely fighting an internal battle, and she just wanted to help him win. With her mind made up, Carol cleared her throat to get his attention.

He stirred slightly, as if startled, but he wouldn't lift his chin.

A soft sigh passed Carol's lips. "Daryl; look at me." she whispered.

Slowly, cautiously, the hunter met her gaze. His body was still tense, and he was breathing through his nose.

Carol hated how uncomfortable he looked. She wanted him to feel safe with her. "I've never lied to you. And I don't plan to start now. So when I say that it's fine…I mean it. Alright?"

Daryl's hands were still clutching at the sleeping bag, as if he was afraid to let go, and his breathing seemed to pick up the longer Carol stared at him.

She wanted to reassure him…to convince him, but the task was proving difficult. "Look," she said, her voice low. "Don't go beating yourself up. There's no reason for that. I'm fine."

The hunter swallowed hard and silently wished that there was more space between them. "I should go." he growled softly.

Carol's brow furrowed. "Go? Go where?"

Daryl huffed, his blunt nails clawing absently at the sleeping bag. "Don't matter. Jus…shouldn't be here…like this." He averted his gaze as the last two words left his lips. He was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain eye contact with her.

Carol's tongue flicked out over her lips as she tried to determine what to say. She bit the corner of her bottom lip and reminded herself that the hunter had never been fond of physical contact…with anyone, but he'd woken up pressed against her…and now he was lying in his boxers, inches away from her. She could only assume he was struggling to conceal the pain he was in. Carol decided that they were both being ridiculous.

It's not a big deal. Men get erections….all the time, every day, for any number of reasons. We shouldn't be treating this like some cardinal sin. It's natural.

And that was when it hit her.

It's natural…

As the words echoed in her head, Carol became convinced that they were the right ones. She let out a small sigh and placed all of her focus on Daryl. "Hey." she said.

He glanced at her from beneath his lashes.

"You don't need to go anywhere, and you don't need to feel bad about this."

But the hunter just snorted out of frustration.

"I mean it. I'm not mad…and no harm was done. I'm not going to say anything to anyone…if that's what you're worried about." Carol whispered.

Ice water pooled in Daryl's stomach. He hadn't considered the possibility that Carol might say something…

Fuckin' christ…

Carol watched as the color drained from her partner's face. "Daryl, relax. You're acting like you've done something terrible…"

The hunter was fighting to control his breathing. "What would ya fuckin' call it?" he asked in a rough whisper.

Carol kept her cool and held his gaze. "Natural." she finally said, as if it were common knowledge.

Daryl's eyes were wide with disbelief and the crease in his brow grew deeper. "Natural?" he echoed.

"Yes." she answered without any hesitation.

Daryl huffed as one hand came up to pinch the bridge of his nose. He muttered curses to himself and willed his body to relax.

"It's nothing to get worked up over." said Carol. She was still hoping to get through to him.

The hunter pushed his hand back into his tangled hair; his fingers formed a fist. "How do ya figure that?" he snapped at her.

Carol was running out of ways to reassure her partner. She sighed through her nose and stared at him. "Because it's normal. It's biology."

The hunter's skeptical gaze was fixed on her.

"Think about it." she said. "We're two healthy, unattached adults, sharing a small space for an extended period of time. It's just proximity…I mean, we're pretty cramped in here. You don't have any control over what your body does while you're sleeping."

Daryl wanted to die. It didn't matter how… Walkers, a gunshot, even an aggressive cold would be fine…so long as whatever it was took him the fuck out.

Jesus Christ….

He tugged sharply at his hair and felt his insides churning again. His eyes slammed shut…creases forming at the corners.

"Daryl…" she started to reach out to him, but the malice in his voice made her freeze.

"I got no fuckin' right to touch ya!" he snarled at her.

The words stung. Carol couldn't help to think of her husband…the way he used to scream at her. Daryl hadn't been this hostile since his brother's death, and she wasn't sure how to handle the aggression. Her eyes were wide, fearful, as she waited for the hunter to calm down.

The instant those words left his mouth, Daryl found himself regretting them…or at least the tone he'd used. It was true; he didn't have a right, or a reason to lay hands on Carol. But he supposed he could've gotten that point across another way.

Keep your damn mouth shut.

The anger made his body even warmer, and the heat was getting to him. The heat…the pain below his waist, the embarrassment…he just wanted to claw his way out of it.

But there ain't a way out. Your ass is stuck here…with her, 'n ya need to make it work.

Daryl knew that he and Carol needed to make peace with this mess, and put the damn thing to bed, but he wasn't sure how to move past it. The hunter guessed that he'd be better equipped to think of a solution, if all the blood hadn't rushed away from his brain. Slowly, his fist unclenched, and his hand fell back to the sleeping bag in defeat. His anger was replaced with contrition, and he clawed anxiously at the fabric beneath him.

"Shouldn't talk to ya like that…I jus…I ain't good with this shit." he admitted without looking at her. His voice was low as he spoke to her. "What I shoulda said is…I got no right to lay hands on ya."

Carol was momentarily in awe of the change that had taken place in her companion. He was genuinely remorseful…and for a moment, he seemed more like a frightened child than a man. "Daryl…" she whispered. "It's alright…you didn't hurt me…no harm was done."

"It's wrong. Don't know how it happened….but I'm sorry." He growled softly. The hunter was still lying on his side, and his body was slightly curled. He wanted to disappear…to make himself small. He couldn't face her.

Carol couldn't take it anymore; she needed to erase his guilt. Drawing on her courage, she reached out to him again. She moved slowly, cautiously, not wanting to startle him. Daryl was chewing his bottom lip, his gaze lowered. He wasn't looking at her. Carol's heart began to pound…the heavy thud seemed so loud, she was surprised the hunter couldn't hear it. She was scared, unsure, but she knew she had to keep going. Carefully, she used her slender fingers to tuck a piece of Daryl's dark hair behind his ear.

The hunter flinched at the slight contact, his body tensing all over again. "I'm sorry…" he growled without lifting his chin.

Carol pulled a cleansing breath into her lungs. "Don't be." She whispered, her fingertips grazing his ear.

Daryl shuddered. Her hand was lingering near his ear and he didn't understand what she was doing. Swallowing hard, he forced himself to glance up at her, their eyes meeting. "Why?" he asked, feeling more confused than he'd ever been in his life.

Carol managed a weak smile as she tucked another strand of hair behind his ear. He twitched but made no moves to stop her. "Because you haven't done anything to upset me."

The hunter stared at her through the gloom, and tried to make sense of what she'd just said. When he felt her nimble fingers touch him again, the contact sent a jolt of electricity straight to his groin. He shook his head slowly, trying to clear away the strange thoughts that were filling his skull. "Naw…it's wrong."

Carol let her thumb rest at his temple; her eyes were still locked on his. "I told you…it's not." In that moment, as she lay so close to someone she wanted so badly, Carol knew she had to speak her mind. She had to tell him exactly what she was thinking. A strong flush was making its way up her body. The warmth started in her feet, making her toes curl. The heat licked up her legs…sweat formed at the backs of her knees. As the feeling continued to build, it hit her core, making her walls tighten. Carol's stomach trembled with nervous energy and she was growing restless. She tried to release some of the tension with a sigh, and hoped that the color would stay out of her cheeks. Her blue eyes were clear, focused on her partner…and for half a heartbeat, she caught the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth.

Tell him…

"Maybe I liked it." she whispered.

Daryl blinked, a look of confusion coming over him, as if he hadn't understood a word she'd said. His heart began to thrum and his lips parted slightly. The temperature in the tent seemed to rise with each passing second, and the hunter found that he couldn't breathe. Of all the things Carol might've said…he certainly hadn't expected to hear that… His mind and his body were at odds. Daryl couldn't accept what she'd told him, but his body understood. He felt himself get harder. And she was still staring at him…Daryl wondered if her eyes had always been that blue.

"It's okay," she said, her thumb smoothing a shock of hair near his temple.

Her voice broke the hunter's trance and he blinked again.

"To like it…" Carol explained.

The way she was talking made Daryl's groin tighten. She was whispering…soft words falling from her lips, like secrets. He liked the gentle way she was touching him. The hunter knew that he should stop her…or he thought he should. He'd couldn't remember the last time he was so physically close to another person. But it was more than that. It was a woman touching him…lying there with him… It was Carol.

"I can stop…" she said. Her thumb was absently rubbing the skin just below his ear, while her fingers lightly gripped the base of his neck.

Daryl's body was urging him to touch her… He was scared, excited…wide awake, and he didn't know what to say. His hand formed another fist as he clutched at the fabric of the sleeping bag. With his mind racing, the hunter tore his gaze from hers. He glanced down at her body, trying to memorize every detail. The cotton panties sat low on her hip, and she'd drawn her legs up out of nervousness…just like him. Lying on their sides, facing each other…the survivors were mirror images of one another. They were both working to control their breathing; their blue eyes shone vibrant in the pre-dawn gloom. Daryl noticed the way her tank top rode up from her waist, exposing her flat, smooth stomach. When he squinted, the hunter could make out the small, shadowed place where her belly button hid. He found that he wanted to feel her skin under his hands…to run his palm up under her top and touch the parts of her that he couldn't see.

Carol could feel his eyes on her body and the pain between her legs grew worse. Not knowing what else to do or say, she pushed her fingers into his hair, lightly grazing his scalp. The hunter growled then, his eyes slamming shut.

"I can stop…" she whispered again.

Daryl couldn't speak, and he couldn't look at her, but he managed to shake his head.

Carol's lips parted in awe.

He wants me to keep going…he just can't say it.

Working to slow her breathing, Carol absently stroked the ends of his hair. Daryl clawed at the sleeping bag. "Fuck…" he grunted softly.

"Feel good?" she asked.

His eyes were still closed, but he nodded.

Feeling brave, Carol let her hand slip from his hair. She moved down, past his collar bone, until her palm was resting just over his heart. The action startled him and he reached for her wrist, gripping it. The hunter couldn't handle much more contact. Every little touch turned him on, and he wasn't about to come in front of her. His eyes eased open and he stared hard at the woman lying so close to him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Daryl was still clutching her wrist.

Carol had to remind herself that Daryl wasn't used to this sort of thing…and that simple touches were a huge leap for the two of them. A soft smile spread on her lips. She wanted him to know that she understood. "Too much?" she asked in a whisper.

The hunter swallowed hard before nodding.

Carol let a soft sigh pass her lips and she carefully pulled her hand away from him. Daryl released her and they stared at one another.

"It's okay." she said. "I get it."

It was Daryl's turn to sigh. "Naw…it ain't…" he gnawed his bottom lip, hating how hard it was to talk to her… "I jus…I don't…."

"Hey," she said. "It's okay. I know this is…different."

The hunter kept his eyes on hers.

"This isn't us." she admitted.

A crease formed in Daryl's brow.

"But it could be…" Carol whispered, blushing a little.

Daryl considered the words for several seconds before speaking. "Yeah?"

The soft smile was still on Carol's lips. "Yeah."

"That somethin' ya want?" he asked in a low growl.

She felt her entire body get warm. Carol couldn't bring herself to say that she wanted it…she couldn't even nod. The blush was getting stronger on her cheeks but she knew she needed to give him an answer.

"All I'm saying is…" she bit her lip for a second, trying to summon the courage she would need if she ever wanted to get the words out. "This is the best morning I've had in a while."

Daryl's stomach flipped as color rushed to his cheeks. "That right?" he made himself ask.

A nervous giggle escaped her and she brought her hands up to cover her mouth.

The hunter couldn't stop the slight smirk from creeping onto his face. He was still rattled, and he still had plenty of questions and reservations, but he was starting to feel just a little bit better about the whole thing. Daryl drummed his fingers on the sleeping bag.

"It ain't us…" he said, echoing her words. "But it could be…" The hunter seemed to be thinking it out as he spoke.

Carol giggled again and rolled onto her back. She ran her hands over her face and pushed them back into her hair. Her legs were raised and bent at the knee as she stared up at the domed ceiling of their small tent. "It could be." she sighed wistfully, her fingers tugging at her own hair.

Daryl grunted as he propped himself up on one elbow and stared at her. "Wanna clear that up?" he asked.

Carol turned her head and met his gaze. "What?" she chuckled.

The hunter felt himself blushing. "Ya makin' an offer? That it?" His narrowed, blue eyes were trained on her.

Carol bit the corner of her lip and turned away. She refocused on the ceiling. "Maybe." she admitted, without looking at him.

Daryl huffed.

The sound made Carol laugh. She clasped her hands and let them rest over her stomach.

"You're fuckin' with me." he growled under his breath.

"I'm not." she laughed.

Daryl was battling several distinct types of frustration as he laid in the tent with her. "Naw? Then go on 'n say what ya mean."

Carol could feel the blush getting worse on her cheeks. She kept her focus on the ceiling, knowing that if she looked at him…she'd end up stumbling over her words like an idiot. "I'm saying…" Carol hesitated, trying to determine the best way to voice her thoughts. "That this doesn't just have to be a hunting trip."

Daryl stared at her. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. And if you need to blow off some steam…I could help with that." Carol's heart was thrumming fast, but at least she'd said her peace.

The hunter wasn't sure how to respond. He'd never been in this situation before. He swallowed hard before speaking. "Say I take ya up on it…"

Carol turned to face him again, her hands still resting on her stomach.

"What happens when we get back?" He asked.

Carol's brows knit together; she hadn't thought that far ahead. "Nothing…I mean…what are you worried about? No one has to know. It's no one's business how we spend our time out here." she said.

Daryl considered that. "Sayin' it stays out here?"

She smirked at him. "That's what I'm saying."

Daryl knew that he should've just run. He should never have engaged her. This was a lot to process before the sun was even up…but he couldn't deny the fact that he was intrigued by Carol's proposal.

"You're thinking about it…" she said.

He could hear the smile in her voice. It was a statement, not a question. "Maybe I am." he admitted.

Carol bit the corner of her lip and sat up.

Daryl stared at her, unsure of what she was doing.

She beckoned to him. "Sit up."

The hunter was still confused.

"Come on." she said, smiling at him.

Daryl didn't want to. He was still battling the pain below his waist, but he sensed that he should listen. Carol seemed to have some strange power…or leverage over him all of a sudden. He was intrigued by the idea of blowing off steam with her…whatever that might entail, and he didn't want to do anything to make her withdraw the offer. Keeping a growl locked in his chest, he forced himself to sit up. Daryl sat with his legs crossed and grabbed the sleeping bag, pulling the fabric up to cover his lap. He still felt so vulnerable, exposed…and he wanted to hide his arousal.

Carol smirked at his modesty. They sat across from one another, and Daryl waited.

"Give me your hand." she said.

Daryl's eyes narrowed but he hesitantly lifted an arm and reached out to her.

Carol smiled as she took his hand and held it between her own. Her fingers curled around the back of his hand, while her thumbs pressed into the center of his palm, kneading the flesh. Daryl tensed, his fingertips flexing, curling on instinct.

"What are ya doin'?" he asked.

Carol's eyes flicked to his face. "Touching you."

"Why?"

She smirked at him as her fingers continued their ministrations. "Because I want you to get used to it. It would be nice if you didn't flinch every time."

Daryl blushed again. He liked the way she was rubbing his hand, but it was still a strange sensation. He'd never been very comfortable with anyone touching him. The hairs on his arms were standing up.

Carol loved the way his hand felt…the calloused palm, his knuckles…each one of his fingers… She continued to massage him, hoping to ease some of the tension. Her thumbs pressed into the meat of his palm again and again, making slow circles, applying pressure… Daryl was intently focused on the motion of her fingers. Occasionally, she glanced up at him and saw him blush. After several minutes, she released him. The hunter's hand dropped back to his lap and they stared at one another. Carol smiled at him, waiting patiently. Daryl quickly realized what she wanted. He licked his lips and lifted his other arm. He reached out to her until she took his hand.

"You're catching on." she said, smirking.

Daryl gnawed his bottom lip.

Carol began massaging him, easing the aches and pains just as she'd done with his other hand. She noticed that he didn't tense when her fingers curled around him. She smiled to herself.

It's working.

The whole thing was still very surreal to Daryl, but he couldn't deny how good it felt to let her touch him.

"You still thinking about it?" she asked, glancing up at him.

Daryl felt his insides twist. He couldn't answer her.

Carol gently set his hand down and began to move from her seated position.

"What are ya doin' now?" he asked.

She crawled until she was kneeling behind him. Her hands went to his shoulders, just as they'd done the night before. Daryl released a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. She began to knead his shoulders as she leaned in close, her mouth near his ear. "Are you thinking about it?" she whispered.

The hunter's cock dripped. Carol's hands felt so fucking good on his shoulders. He answered her with a nod.

A smile spread on her lips as she let her forehead rest against the back of his neck. The contact made Daryl jerk and Carol sighed into his skin. "We need to work on that." she whispered.

"I know." he said softly.

Without warning, Carol ran her hands up into his hair, and he growled. The sexy sound made her core hurt, but she knew she had to focus. "It's okay," she breathed. "I'm just touching you."

Together, the two survivors sat in silence. Daryl's eyes were closed and he could feel the heat pressing in all around him. His skin was damp, the humid air was stale, and the heavy thud of his heart echoed in his ears. He didn't know how much more he could take…it was all so new, but he couldn't make Carol stop. Her hands were soft, her touch was careful, and he liked having her close to him. She was right; if they were going to move forward, he needed to relax. He needed to adjust to the feeling of being touched.

Carol was raking her fingers through his dark hair, quietly torturing both of them. Desire began to get the best of her. She seemed to tug at his hair a little harder. Her breathing had picked up. Daryl could feel her panting against the back of his neck.

"Ya alright?" he asked, his eyes still closed.

"Yeah," she managed to say. Knowing that she needed a distraction, Carol bit her bottom lip and pulled Daryl back by his hair.

"Fuck…." he hissed, as he fell onto his back. His cock seemed to get harder, and he was glad that his lower half was still concealed by the sleeping bag. His head was resting on Carol's thighs. She loomed over him, staring down with a look of amusement on her face. Daryl looked up; there was something funny about seeing her upside down and they smirked at one another.

Carol's hands had formed fists in his hair; she wanted to maintain her grip on him. As she knelt with his head in her lap, she was tempted to lean down and kiss him.

"What was that for?" he asked, meaning the way she'd pulled him back.

She shrugged and smiled down at him.

Daryl tried to process the fact that he was resting on her bare thighs…but her hands in his hair were incredibly distracting. His eyes slammed shut when she tugged at his locks. "How did we get here?" he asked, ignoring the way his member was throbbing.

"What do you mean?" Carol asked, her nails grazing his scalp.

The hunter opened his eyes and stared up at her. "Where'd our clothes go? How'd I end up…" but he couldn't bring himself to say the words.

Fuckin' wrapped around ya with a hard-on…

Carol continued to play with his hair as she stared down at him. "Well…I'm thinking the heat had something to do with it. God…" she shook her head at the memory. "It was so miserable last night, I wasn't sure I'd even get to sleep. Guess we just did the natural thing and shed layers, hoping for some relief."

"Must've been pretty fuckin' hot." he muttered.

Carol smirked at him. "Guess so."

"Still don't explain how we woke up like we did…."

She'd been wondering about that as well. She ran her fingers through his hair again, making him groan. "No one wants to sleep alone." she said simply.

Daryl stared up at her, a crease forming in his brow.

"We were sharing a small space…it was normal for us to seek each other out. People feel safer in numbers. They want the comfort…the warmth." said Carol.

That was difficult for the hunter to accept. He'd always been comfortable on his own…but he couldn't really think of a better explanation than Carol's. Maybe it had just been too long since he'd been close to someone. Maybe his body was craving the contact.

"I guess." he finally answered.

Carol smiled as her hands moved from his hair, down, grazing the sides of his neck, past his collar bones and over his chest. She leaned forward, hovering over him and letting her soft hands slide even further down his body until she reached his stomach. The muscles trembled under her touch.

Daryl reached for her wrists, stopping her. His expression was pained as he stared up at his partner.

"Not ready for that yet?" she asked, her fingertips lightly clawing his stomach.

"Not yet." he admitted.

Carol cocked her head to the side and gave him a weak smile. "Okay." She eased back, withdrawing her hands. Daryl let her go. Sitting back on her calves, Carol sighed. "At least we're making progress."

Daryl snorted in amusement and forced himself to sit up. The instant he moved, he felt his cock drip.

Godammitt..

He really needed the erection to go…but he was not about to take care of it in front of Carol. Sighing through his nose, Daryl shifted until he was lying on his stomach. He stifled a curse and clenched his teeth. The hunter laid on the open sleeping bag, propped on his elbows. His head hung low as he tried to control his breathing.

Carol smirked as she laid down beside him. "That can't be comfortable." she said.

Daryl didn't answer her.

She folded her arms under her chin and glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. They were both lying on their stomachs, and their hips brushed every few seconds. "I'm not helping, am I?" she asked, a teasing tone to her voice.

Daryl sighed again and shook his head.

Carol bit the corner of her lip. "I could…."

The hunter turned to look at her, his blue eyes narrowed.

She just smirked at him.

"I'm still tryin' to wrap my head around all this." he growled softly.

Carol blew out a breath. "I know. I'm sorry." She tore her eyes from his and stared out at the wall of the tent.

"It ain't you. It's just fuckin' early…I ain't been through this in a while. I feel like a damn jackass."

She nudged him with her hip. "Stop. You're not a jackass."

He glanced at her, and the way she was looking at him made his cock throb. It was hard enough keeping his need pressed down against the sleeping bag…but the fact that her body was next to his just seemed to make everything worse. He could feel her long, bare legs touching his. Curiosity got the best of him and Daryl turned his head to look back at their bodies. When he saw her ass in those thin, cotton panties, more blood rushed to his groin. He chided himself and quickly refocused on the wall of the tent. His cock was aching for release and he worried that any little touch would send him over the edge.

"Need ya to start talkin'." he said, his eyes closing out of frustration.

"About what?"

Daryl growled under his breath. "Don't matter. Last run ya went on…anything."

Carol's lips parted as she tried to think of what to say.

"C'mon." he pleaded.

"I'm thinking." she said.

"Think faster. I ain't stayin' like this all mornin'; we got shit to do."

Carol's brow furrowed. "Um…I…okay, the last run…Me and Rick took some of the newcomers out."

Daryl's eyes were still slammed shut, his head hanging low. "Ya'll see any geeks?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, a few."

"Fine." the hunter growled. "Tell me about 'em. Don't leave nothin' out."

Carol wasn't sure she understood. "I mean…they were geeks…I don't know what you want me to…"

He groaned, his nails clawing at the sleeping bag. "Tell me about 'em. Everything ya remember."

"But how will that..."

"Just do this for me. It's gonna help."

Carol stared at him, a look of confusion on her face.

Daryl swallowed hard. "If I keep thinkin' about ya…lyin' there in your damn underwear, I ain't gonna be able to get up off this floor. I'd rather think about fuckin' geeks. I'd appreciate it if you could start talkin'."

Understanding washed over her then. "Oh…sorry."

"Sooner I get this shit taken care of, the sooner we can get out there 'n start checkin' traps. You help me out here, 'n we can see about blowin' off that steam later." He glanced at her, hoping she knew what he meant.

Carol couldn't help but smile at him. Her arms were still folded under her chin, but she kept her blue eyes on his. "Must've been ten walkers…we started moving through them and I lost count at some point. We had guns, but Rick wanted us to save ammo."

"Ya use a knife?" Daryl asked.

She nodded. "Got the first one right in the eye."

"Yeah?" he asked. His body was already starting to relax.

"It was disgusting. The eye socket was full of puss. Thing must've been dead for months. Got some of it on my shirt…" she said, still smiling at him.

The hunter smirked at her. "What else happened?"

"Easy…" Daryl breathed.

Carol swallowed hard as a bead of sweat rolled down her jaw.

The hunter let his hand rest lightly on the small of her back. "You got this." he whispered, the hushed words hitting her skin.

Carol couldn't feel his hand, or his words. She ignored the stifling heat that plastered her clothes to her body, and she kept her breathing even. All that mattered was the doe. She blinked sweat away from her eyes and focused.

Sensing that she was about to make her shot, Daryl eased back. He moved slowly, cautiously, a bed of dried pine needles muffling his footsteps. He reached up, carefully wiping sweat away from his upper lip, but his eyes were fixed on Carol. When she shifted slightly, raising her rifle, he watched the way her shoulder blades moved under her shirt. The hunter glanced down at her feet, taking note of the way she'd dug the heels of her boots into the soft earth. Her entire body was wound up, tension running through her like a steel trap…just waiting for something or someone to set it off. Daryl could see the doe in the distance; it still hadn't picked up their scent.

You got this…

He repeated the words silently in his head. His fingers were curled anxiously around the strap of his bow, just in case.

Carol had both eyes open. She watched the doe's every move. Its ears flicked back and forth, and its black eyes scanned the forest, searching for any signs of danger. It stared in Carol's direction, and for a moment, she wondered if it could see her. She held her breath and let her finger hover over the trigger. Seconds later, the doe's interest seemed to fade and she lowered her head. As the quiet animal searched the forest floor for food, Carol knew the time had come. She exhaled slowly, and focused on lining up her shot. Another bead of sweat followed the line of her jaw, and her heart was pounding within the walls of her chest. But she ignored everything…she blocked out every insignificant detail and focused on the prize. Hefting the rifle just a bit higher, and narrowing her blue eyes, Carol counted off the seconds in her head.

One, two, three…

On three, Carol squeezed the trigger. There was a sharp crack as the bullet flew from the barrel, and the sound rang in Carol's ears. Her body was vibrating with trapped adrenaline and her eyes grew wide as she watched the doe collapse in the distance; the carcass hit the earth with a soft thud. Carol's lips parted in awe. She was no stranger to the world of weapons. She practiced on a regular basis and even spent spare time training newcomers at the prison. Carol was a good shot…better than most. She liked the way guns felt in her hands…the weight of them. Hitting a target was nothing new, but Carol had never done this before. She'd never been hunting… stalking the same animal for hours…for miles, until the perfect opportunity arose… There was something incredibly thrilling about it, and the whole experience left her breathless.

She stood frozen, the rifle still clutched tightly in her hands. Slowly, Carol's stiff arms lowered the weapon. Her heart was pounding, and the blood continued to rush in her ears. Feeling incredibly awake, and alive, Carol let herself smile.

Daryl was just a few feet behind her, his hands in his hair. "Holy shit…" he breathed "Ya…" but the hunter didn't get to finish the thought.

The instant Carol remembered he was there, she turned around. Her bright blue eyes were fixed on him and she dropped the rifle, moving into his space. She stood on her toes and reached for his hair, pulling his mouth to hers. Carol kissed him hard, not caring if he was ready for it or not. Her hands slid from his hair and she gently held his face, her thumbs resting near his temples. She knew it was reckless, but she couldn't help it. Carol was filled with the shocking blend of adrenaline, blood-lust and confidence that comes with making a kill. She was alive, she was happy, and she wanted Daryl. So she didn't overthink it, she simply acted.

When she collided with him, Daryl didn't know what to do. He hadn't been kissed in so long. Her soft lips were pressing into his and the feeling was enough to make him dizzy. The sun was beating down on their backs, and her body was warm against his…it was all too much.

As if she could hear his thoughts, Carol broke the kiss. She sucked her bottom lip, tasting him there, and stared up into his eyes. "You okay?" she asked.

But Daryl was light-headed and didn't know if he could even string words together in a way that made sense.

"Daryl?" she said, hoping to get a response out of him.

He cleared his throat and held her gaze.

She let her hands fall away from his face as she took a step back, giving him some breathing room.

The hunter studied her…the way her chest rose and fell…the sweat glistening just above the dip in her cleavage. When his eyes made their way back to her face, he was intently focused on her. "Is this you makin' good on that offer?" he asked.

Carol tried to catch her breath as she answered with a nod.

Daryl continued to stare at her and tried to determine if he could handle more contact. Once again, his mind and his body were at odds.

Ya got no idea what you're gettin' yourself into.

The hunter was out of his depth. He'd grown accustomed to pushing others away…keeping himself isolated. He'd done just fine without any physical release since the turn, and he wasn't sure it was wise to engage in something like this…something that had the potential to become addictive…distracting. Daryl wouldn't say it out loud, but he was scared. He didn't know what would happen if he let Carol in. But the longer he stared at her, the more convinced he became that they could do this. They could help one another.

"We don't have to." she said, breaking his trance.

Daryl held her gaze, his blue eyes cutting into her. He'd made up his mind. He wanted whatever she was willing to give him. "Wanna try that again?" he asked.

Carol didn't need any more urging. She stepped back into his space and kissed him before he could say anything else. When her lips hit his, Daryl closed his eyes. Pleasure rippled through him in waves, from his head all the way down to his feet. She was applying just enough pressure, and her hands found their way back to his hair. Carol kissed him like she was hungry for him…like there was nothing else she wanted. Her soft lips felt so good on his mouth, and her urgency was turning him on. She was aggressive, tugging at his hair, dominating the kiss, her body pressing into his… Daryl considered holding back…letting her take what she wanted. But he wasn't used to relinquishing control. His blood was singing and he knew he needed to respond to her.

As her lips continued to move against his, Daryl's instincts began to kick in. The initial shock wore off, and he realized that he needed more. Her hands were winding in his hair and he finally parted his lips for her.

Carol gasped, surprised by the change. She pulled back, just enough to look him in the eye. Her heart was racing, but she managed to get the words out. "You're…you're sure?" she breathed, her clear eyes searching his face for any signs of doubt.

Daryl slowly moved his hands to her waist. It felt good to touch her…to hold on to her. He was still scared, nervous, but they'd already stumbled across whatever lines remained between them, and Daryl couldn't go back. With his eyes locked on hers, the hunter pulled a calming breath into his lungs and made himself speak. "I'm sure."

Carol trembled when she felt his strong hands on her body. She smoothed the shocks of hair near his temples with her thumbs; she was still holding his face…keeping him there. "It's different…" she breathed.

"It is." he admitted. The hunter flexed his fingertips experimentally, gripping her just a little tighter.

A small gasp escaped her, and Daryl smirked. They were standing so close, and they couldn't seem to take their eyes away from each other. Daryl stared at her and she stared back, their blue eyes growing dark with arousal. Carol swallowed hard as her hands traveled down to his shoulders. She squeezed; as if she needed to remind herself that he was real. When he felt her nails digging in, the hunter had to bite his bottom lip to keep from growling. They were working to control their breathing. Her hands slid lower, to his chest, her fingers splaying slowly over the toned flesh. She could feel the warmth of his skin through his shirt.

Carol licked her lips as she savored the contact with him. "Is this okay?" she asked, rubbing the spot just above his heart.

Daryl tensed for a moment, but he closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "Yeah." he answered in a low growl once his eyes eased open.

"I'm just touching you." She whispered.

The hunter could feel a half smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I know." he said.

She smiled back at him.

As they continued to stare at one another, Daryl tightened his grip on her waist; his broad hands were beginning to massage her. Carol let out a soft sigh and moved in closer, her forehead resting against his chest.

"Ya like that?" he asked, his strong fingers curling around to her lower back and pressing in hard.

"God..." she sighed happily, losing herself in the smell of his clothes.

Daryl used his grip to keep her body close; he wanted to feel her pressed against him...warm and alive. As the survivors stood together, slowly adjusting, the forest seemed to come to life around them... as if every living thing was suddenly as restless as they were. Cicadas sung out in the heat...their collective, chirping hum echoing through the forest... Birds called to one another...soft wings rustling as they flew from their hiding places in the trees...

Daryl ducked his chin and inhaled the scent from her hair. The second he pulled her into his lungs, his groin tightened. The simple act of being close to her was having an intense effect on him, and he needed more. He worked the muscles at the base of her spine, wanting to drive out any pain...the way she'd done for him in the tent. He remembered how careful she'd been with his hands, and he just wanted to return the favor. Daryl found that it was surprisingly easy to touch her. He liked the warmth of her body...the soft little sounds she made when his fingertips pressed in near her tailbone. But as much as he wanted her, the hunter couldn't bring himself to move his hands any lower. He didn't want to overstep his boundaries...if any remained.

Carol groaned into his chest. With her eyes closed in ecstasy, she swore that she could taste his sweat. Her hands were traveling slowly, up to his strong shoulders, and then back down to his firm chest. She couldn't get enough of him...touching him was intoxicating. The heat wasn't helping...

Heavy rays of golden light were melting through the canopy, dappling the forest floor in bright spots. It was just past noon and the sun had reached its peak overhead. The survivors could feel sweat covering their bodies as they suffered in the humid air. They needed water...shade, but Daryl and Carol seemed unwilling to separate.

Daryl swallowed hard. He wanted more of her, but he didn't know how to ask. Carol's body was flush with his, and her eyes flew open when she felt his arousal. Her lips parted, and she pushed away from his chest to look up into his face. He was studying her with all the quiet intensity of a wolf...his cold blue eyes focused, hungry... She bit her bottom lip as she held his gaze; her lids were getting heavy. Carol felt as though she could see everything he wanted right there in his face...the thoughts he was too afraid to voice. She wondered why he was hesitating.

"It's okay," she breathed.

The hunter's eyes narrowed.

Carol stood on her toes and leaned in closer, whispering against his lips. "You can touch me."

Hot blood was rushing beneath Daryl's skin and he was starting to feel feverish.

"Lower..." she explained, placing a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Daryl licked his lips as his heart rate sped up. His expression seemed almost fearful as he slowly, carefully let one of his hands move down her body. His breath caught when he felt the curve of her ass...the firm flesh he'd been thinking about since he woke up next to her that morning...

Carol couldn't take it. As soon as his broad hand slid down to her ass, she kissed him. Reaching for his hair, she pulled his mouth to hers. Daryl was in a daze, and he couldn't resist her. The sudden pressure forced his lips to part, and her cool, sweet tongue dipped inside. Daryl couldn't stop himself from shuddering. Violent chills ran up and down the length of his spine and he gasped into her mouth. Carol tugged his hair harder while her tongue slid past his.

Needing to feel more of her body, Daryl moved both hands to her ass and began massaging her. He was cautious at first, but as she continued to kiss him, his reservations faded. He let her taste flood his mouth while he gripped her roughly, kneading her flesh. The feeling of her in his hands was enough to make him hard. As they enjoyed one another, the hunter tried to accept the fact that it was Carol's body up against him...Carol's tongue in his mouth... The thought made him dizzy and he refocused on her...on the pleasure she was bringing him.

The survivors were caught in the grip of something bigger than themselves...something neither of them understood. Lust and heat seemed to bleed together, the colors running... As they tasted one another, the summer air grew hazy around them. Time and space became irrelevant. The world fell away, piece by piece, until Daryl and Carol were the only things left. They weren't thinking, at least not about anything but sheer physical release...and they weren't breathing. The two broken people were exploring one another, with shaking hands and swollen lips. They stayed close, lost in one another...neither of them willing to give up the connection.

Carol's mind was reeling, but she couldn't stop. She wanted as much of him as she could get. She kissed him as if the two of them were caught in a daydream that she might wake from at any moment. He was passive at first, but his need seemed to build with each beat of their hearts. He was massaging a rough rhythm into her ass while his tongue slipped under hers. When she felt him in her mouth, Carol whined...a crease forming in her brow.

This isn't happening...

It was too good to be real. He was too good. The feeling of those calloused hands on her body...the way he was growling against her lips...and the smell of his fucking hair... Carol knew, as she sucked his tongue and felt him buck his hips, that she'd never been more frustrated. Her body was humming with a need that only he could satisfy. All she could think about was sex...with him... She just wanted more. More skin, more kissing...She wanted to taste more than just his mouth. Carol let the desire cloud her judgment like alcohol as she moved her hands to his neck, caressing him.

God...

Daryl couldn't think straight. Every time Carol moaned, he felt his groin tighten. The pressure on his lips was amazing, and she explored his mouth without fear or hesitation. Her tongue flicked against his, teasing him...before he could even process the feeling...she bit him. His brows knit together and he gasped at the pain, but it only lasted a moment. Her teeth were slowly sinking into his bottom lip and the hunter realized that it felt fucking good. The spark of pain made him harder and he used his grip on her ass to press her body into his. Daryl wanted her to feel it...he wanted her to know what she was doing to him. She responded by clawing lightly at his neck.

Carol tugged at his lip, relishing the momentary control she had over him. His arousal was growing between them, and the knowledge that she'd done that made her wet. It was a thrilling sensation...to be wrapped up in something so heated...so sudden. She never imagined she'd be so close to Daryl, but he was there...standing with her, surrounding her. And when his tongue caressed hers, she had no choice but to accept that it was real. The hardness below his waist was real...the sweat on his neck, and the moisture between her legs... His enthusiasm was building as he kissed her harder. Carol let him in and her whole body shivered. His scent was everywhere, making her light headed, and she decided that nothing mattered but him. She just needed to enjoy it...enjoy him...for as long as she could.

Daryl's cock was dripping in anticipation as he memorized Carol's taste. Her mouth was so wet...eager, and her lips were pliant against his. He nearly came when he felt her suck his tongue. But Daryl kept himself in check. His impression of the cryptic chat they'd had in the tent that morning lead him to believe that she was willing to do more than kiss him. It had been so long since Daryl even let himself think about sex, and now he had a woman pressed against him, who seemed to be offering it up on a silver platter...at least, he thought she was. Kissing Carol was incredible, and her ass felt so good in his hands, but if there was any chance of getting inside her, Daryl wanted to hold back his orgasm until then. It was a two way street after all. He assumed Carol's offer wasn't made out of charity...and that she wanted something in return.

Ya need to get her off...

The thought unnerved him, but Daryl wasn't one to back down from a challenge. Even though his dick was already throbbing, and Carol's tongue was sliding slowly against his, making him whine, the hunter wouldn't allow himself to come. He'd gone without release for a long time, and he knew he could go a little longer. His body was on edge, but Daryl wasn't some teenager…he had more control than that, and he intended to last for as long as Carol needed him. With his eyes closed, the hunter ignored his own needs and let himself enjoy the moment. He'd forgotten what it was like to touch a woman…and to be touched in return. Carol's tongue flicked against his and he felt himself starting to smile. He couldn't help it. Daryl kissed her, matching her enthusiasm. One of his hands remained on her ass while the other slid up to her back. Her warm, lean body was pressing into his and her soft groans filled his ears.

As the tip of her tongue traced his bottom lip, Daryl realized what truly made the whole thing surreal…it was fun. The hunter couldn't recall the last time he'd actually had fun. His whole life revolved around survival…the basic necessities, but this was different. They were both letting their guards down for once…they were taking time to indulge in something completely selfish and counterproductive. There were a thousand other things that the two of them could be doing, but they didn't care. They'd set their responsibilities aside for the moment and they weren't wasting time over thinking. The survivors seemed to be melting into one another, tasting, biting, licking and teasing, and neither of them wanted to stop.

Carol could feel him smiling against her lips and a giddy feeling began bubbling up inside her…it rushed to the surface before she could stop it, and a nervous chuckle escaped her. Their connection broke and they eased apart just enough to stare at each other.

"What?" she asked, her hands lacing at the back of his neck.

Daryl smirked at her. "You're the one that stopped..." his hand was still clutching at her back, as if she might be ripped away from him.

Carol blushed, another giggle escaping her. She bit her lip and shrugged. "I'm sorry…it's just…this is so weird."

The hunter gripped her ass a little tighter.

"Good weird." she added.

"Yeah." he growled softly, his blue eyes fixed on her mouth.

She stared up into his face as her hands moved back into his tangled hair. She watched the way his lips parted when her fingers intertwined with his damp locks. Carol liked that she could get a reaction out of him with so little effort. "You like that?" she asked, smiling.

Daryl answered with a nod. He let his gaze drift down to the dip in her cleavage. As he stared, the hunter wondered what it would feel like to drag his tongue up between those two soft swells. Before he could lose himself in those hazy thoughts, Daryl lifted his chin, refocusing on her face.

"Why don't ya tell me what you like?" he asked in a low growl.

Carol blinked, surprised by the question. She played absently with his hair and tried to process what he'd said.

"What?" he asked, noting the change in her expression.

Carol shook her head and blinked again. "It's….nothing," she said, still smiling at him. "Just…no one's ever asked me that before." she felt another faint blush coming to her cheeks as she uttered the last words.

Daryl stopped rubbing her ass, his eyes narrowing. As he studied the woman he'd grown so close to, the hunter realized that this was more than a few stolen moments of heat…or it should be. It wasn't about release anymore. He didn't just want to make her come, he wanted to pleasure her…drive her crazy. Daryl wanted to make her forget her name... He knew that she deserved that much. The hunter's desire….his change in perspective, was sudden and surprising. But all he had to do was look at her to know he'd made the right decision. Drawing on all of his restraint, Daryl pulled his hands away from her body and reached up to grab her wrists.

Carol's smile faded when she felt him tug at her wrists, easing her hands out of his hair. "What's wrong?" she asked.

He released her wrists; his hands resting lightly on her waist, while hers splayed on his chest. "Nothin'. I was just thinkin'…"

"About?" a crease was forming in her brow as she waited for an answer.

He glanced at her from beneath his lashes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I wanna do this right."

Carol was getting warm all over again. "What makes you think you're not?" she asked.

He rubbed his face against his shoulder, trying to get the sweat out of his eyes. "Well…I'm fuckin' filthy for one thing…"

Carol snorted. "We both are."

"That don't make it right." he chuckled.

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. So if we get cleaned up…we can finish this?"

Daryl pressed his fingers into the small of her back and began massaging her again. "Feel like we got a couple more things to get done before we finish this."

Carol was in disbelief. She couldn't wrap her head around the fact that he wanted to stop…that he wanted to wash up before going any further. "Are you serious?" she asked.

The hunter let his hands slip down to her ass again and they both groaned. "Ain't sayin' I don't want it." he growled softly. "Just wanna get some shit done first…that's all."

Carol had to fight the urge to whine like a child. "Can't that wait? We can make this quick…" she pleaded with him.

But Daryl shook his head. He used his grip on her ass to keep her pressed against him. "I don't want quick." he whispered roughly, his eyes locked on hers.

Carol felt her core tighten. "You don't?"

He shook his head again. "I wanna get that damn deer back to camp. I wanna check the rest of our traps, get all that other shit done…" he was kneading the flesh of her ass as he spoke.

Carol clawed at his chest. "Why can't it wait?"

He smirked at her. "Because…when we finally get back around to finishin' this…I don't want nothin' else on my mind. I don't wanna be worryin' 'bout shit that ain't been done. I wanna take my time, 'n do it right." He felt his cock throb and had to stifle a growl. Carol was still pressed against him and he knew she could feel it. "Like I said…ain't gonna be nothin' quick about it."

Carol bit her lip to hold back a moan. "Guess we're really doing this, huh?"

"Long as you're sure." he said.

She smiled at him. "I am."

"Good." he growled, catching her mouth with his.

She felt his tongue slip inside and there was a rush of heat between her legs. They tasted one another…their eyes closing and their bodies growing restless. She pushed her hips into his, wanting to feel his arousal, and he gasped at the friction.

"Maybe we shouldn't wait…" she breathed.

Daryl sucked her bottom lip for half a second before releasing it. "We done waited this long…" he whispered. "Ain't gonna kill us to wait a couple more hours…."

Carol could feel a stabbing pain deep in her center. "It might…" she moaned.

The hunter kissed the corner of her mouth. "Naw. If ya want it now…you're gonna want it more later…"

Carol couldn't believe him. She didn't have a chance to respond before their lips met again. He parted for her and her tongue dipped into his mouth. Daryl felt himself get harder…his manhood straining within the confines of his clothes. He had no idea how he as was going keep himself at bay for the rest of the afternoon, but he had to do it. He knew, that if he could wait…if he could make them both wait…it would be worth it. But that didn't mean he couldn't spend a few more minutes messing around with her…just so long as he didn't come. Daryl bucked his hips and squeezed her ass while her wet tongue explored his mouth. As the heat between them intensified, the hunter was tempted to guide one of her hands to his groin…he wanted so badly to have her touch him…just to let her fingers graze the bulge in his pants, but he knew he would lose control if her hand got anywhere near his erection….so he settled for the hungry, suctioning kisses and the soft noises she was making in response.

As they stood together in the heat, Daryl wondered if he'd ever been kissed so much, or so urgently…he didn't think so. Carol's hands moved in and out of his hair, her nails grazing his neck, making him growl against her lips. He felt young, reckless, as he let one of his hands creep up the back of her shirt. When he his fingers curled around her bra strap, he couldn't help but smirk. Daryl started fumbling with the clasp while his tongue moved past hers…but he didn't get far. Carol gasped, breaking the connection.

"Hey!" she said, startling him.

The hunter hadn't released her strap, but he held her gaze and tried to appear innocent.

"What?" he asked, a little breathless from their kisses.

Carol's eyes narrowed. "Weren't we supposed to be putting all this on ice?" she asked.

Daryl's hand was sliding down into her back pocket while the other gripped her strap. He averted his gaze and tried to keep the smirk off his face.

"No." Carol said with as much conviction as she could muster. She reached back around pulled Daryl's hand out from under her shirt. "You said we were waiting…don't we have chores to get to?"

The hunter's mind was clouded with lust and he couldn't stop the next words from tripping off his tongue. "Yeah…but I figured you could do 'em just as well without a bra…"

Carol's lips parted while a deep crease formed in her brow. She wasted no time in prying Daryl's other hand off her ass. Shaking her head, she eased their bodies apart and turned away from him. Carol wanted to be mad, but laughter was threatening to burst from her lips. She started to walk away, but Daryl reached out, catching her arm.

"Quit." she huffed, jerking out of his grasp.

"Naw. How 'bout you go on 'n tell me what I did wrong?"

Carol turned around to face him, her arms folding across her chest. "You can't decide that we're gonna put this whole thing on hold, and then try to get under my shirt...it doesn't work like that."

Daryl cocked his head to the side and studied her. "How's it work then?" He slowly started moving in her direction.

Carol began walking backwards, trying to keep some space between the two of them.

"Ya know all the rules right? Since it was your ass that started all this…" he growled playfully.

Carol didn't want to, but she was starting to smile at him. "I just don't think it's fair."

"What ain't fair?" he asked; he was getting closer.

She continued to retreat, nearly stumbling as she moved backwards.

"You wanna make me wait, but you wanna get my clothes off? Why should I let you take anything if you're making me do chores? Seems like a raw deal." she teased.

The hunter smirked at her. "First off; we both got chores to do. Second; I ain't tryin' to get your damn clothes off…just that bra. Figured you'd be more comfortable without it…"

Carol was at a loss for words. She'd never seen this side of Daryl and his boldness was a little jarring. "Excuse me?" she said, a deep crease forming in her brow.

Daryl found the look on her face amusing. "It ain't gonna hurt nothin' for ya to take it off." He was getting closer, and Carol continued to back away.

She faltered when she reached the nearest tree; she could feel the rough bark pressing in through the fabric of her shirt. "I can't believe you…" said Carol, her lips parting in awe.

He was standing in front of her, and she had nowhere left to go. "Quit" Daryl growled softly, as he braced his palms on the tree trunk, on either side of her shoulders…trapping her. "I ain't done nothin' wrong." His gaze drifted down to her cleavage again.

Carol swallowed hard…she could feel his eyes on her skin. A hot flush was creeping up her body. "No…you're just trying to…" she breathed.

His eyes flicked to her face. "What's wrong with me wantin' to get it off ya?"

He was so close to her… his scent hung heavy in the air, and the look on his face was so brazenly hungry…Carol couldn't think of a single valid argument. She'd never experienced such intense physical attraction… She had to reach back and grip the bark to distract herself. The heat between them was making her weak, and Carol knew that she was seconds away from giving in. The way he was staring at her made her core ache.

While she was lost in thought, Daryl moved one of his hands under the hem of her shirt. He slowly ran it up her body, making her skin tingle…but the sensation seemed to rouse Carol from her trance. She reached for his wrist, gripping it tight before he could make it to her breasts. Agitated, Daryl flexed his fingertips, clawing at the skin just below her bra. A muscle in his jaw twitched, belying his frustration as he studied her. Carol could sense the shift in power and she smirked at him.

"I think we should wait on that." she said, her lids heavy…

He huffed and reluctantly slid his hand out from under her shirt. "Why?"

Carol reached for his hair and tugged until his mouth was hovering over hers. "Because," she whispered against his lips. "If you want it now, you're gonna want it more later…" She didn't kiss him; she simply lingered there, letting the anticipation get to both of them.

There was a low rumble in Daryl's chest when he heard his own words being thrown back in his face. He guessed he hadn't really thought the whole thing through…not that he could have…with all the blood pouring into his groin. He exhaled slowly through his nose and tried to get himself under control.

Carol pushed her fingers through his hair but didn't release him. "My offer stands…" she said, her voice low and sultry. "We can do this…right here, right now…it wouldn't take long…"

Daryl considered the proposal one last time. The thought was certainly tempting. They were isolated…their bodies were already covered in sweat…they both wanted it… But the voice in the back of his head, although it was small and fading, managed to break through.

Wait.

He didn't want to run the risk of ruining his relationship with Carol just for a few frantic minutes of grunting against a tree. If they were committed to doing this, and it felt like they were….he wanted it to be worth their while. He looked at Carol, taking note of the way she was staring back at him. Her eyes were so blue, and her freckles seemed to glow in the afternoon light…

She deserves more than this.

Daryl wanted it to be about her, and he knew that he needed time to mentally prepare. If he gave in and took her then and there, the way she seemed to want him to, he knew it would probably end faster than she'd like. Daryl had no intention of leaving her unsatisfied. He wanted both of them to savor it…and he was convinced that waiting until the end of the day was the best course of action. His cock disagreed…the rigid shaft was still straining hard beneath his clothes.

Carol cast a quick glance down at his groin before refocusing on his face. "Seems like you're ready." she said, smirking at him.

"Later." he said as he reached for her wrists and pulled her hands from his hair.

"Fine," she sighed. Before he could stop her, Carol leaned in and kissed him.

He groaned at the contact and her lips parted for him. Daryl knew he should've pushed her away, but she tasted too good. Almost instantly, he slipped his tongue into her mouth and they both shuddered. His hands went to her waist, while hers clung to his neck.

"Chores…" she muttered between kisses.

"Chores…" he echoed; her bottom lip was caught between his teeth. The kissing was becoming addictive. Adrenaline rushed through their frames, making them tremble with need. Every cell sang out with desire as they tasted one another. Daryl found that the feelings she was stirring inside him were almost frightening. After several heated, breathless minutes, he pulled back. They stood, their faces flushed with arousal, and nodded to one another….finally signaling that they were ready to move on with their day.

Carol was working to regain her composure. "You really think we can do this? Wait, I mean?"

Daryl licked his lips and nodded. "I do." With his eyes still locked on hers, he began to back away. The hunter needed breathing room. His hands went to his hips as he paced.

Carol released a heavy sigh, her arms folding across her chest. "Need another pep talk?" she asked.

He looked up to see her smiling at him. "If ya wouldn't mind."

She chuckled and pushed herself away from the tree. Carol ran a hand through her mussed hair as she tried to think of something disgusting. The two of them were pacing in opposite directions as their bodies began to relax. She waited patiently for inspiration to strike.

Her eyes grew wide and she stopped in her tracks… "I've got it," she laughed.

"Spit it out then," Daryl said. He raised and arm and let it drop. "This shit ain't comfortable."

Carol shook her head and smiled. "Okay…so I didn't actually bear witness to this…but back on the farm…"

"Diggin' deep for this ain't ya?" he said as he walked past her.

She chuckled again. "You gonna hear me out?"

Daryl kicked at the ground and smirked at her. "Go on."

"As I was saying…back on the farm…apparently there was an issue with one of Herschel's wells."

The hunter let out a slow whistle. "Think I remember hearin' about this one."

"From what I understand, It was pretty bad." she chuckled.

"Refresh my memory."

They grinned at each other and laughed at the absurdity of their situation. Carol went on to describe the bloated walker from the well, in vivid detail, while Daryl waited for his erection to disappear. The survivors continued pacing in the afternoon heat, both of them wondering how many more times they would have to put their needs on hold and swap nauseating walker stories.

Jesus Christ….

Carol was exhausted. The muscles in her back were screaming, and sweat was stinging her eyes. All she wanted was to sit down and rest for five minutes…to drink some water and catch her breath…but Daryl didn't seem interested in stopping just yet, and she knew she couldn't allow herself to slow their progress. The hunter's only condition, for their agreement, had been that they complete their chores for the day, so Carol decided to keep the whining to a minimum, and work quickly. With her aching hands curled tightly around the deer's hind legs, she kept her chin up and helped her partner carry the carcass back to their camp. Daryl's pace seemed to be increasing as they neared their destination, and Carol did her best to keep up. She smirked to herself, thinking that the promise of sex was proving to be an excellent motivator.

Daryl's arms were extended behind him, his own calloused hands gripping the deer's forelegs. The limp carcass seemed to sway a little as he and Carol hauled it back through the forest. The hunter paused every so often to wipe his face against his shoulder. The heat was stifling, and he knew he should've done his best to ignore it…but the sweat and humidity were getting to him. He huffed, realizing that things could be worse.

The deer that he and Carol held was their third catch of the day. After Carol's first kill earlier in the afternoon, they managed to track another doe…which Carol took out in one clean shot. The third kill came as a surprise; the companions stumbled across it in one of Daryl's snares. The hunter realized, after they carried the first carcass back through the woods, that he needed to hold the forelegs…to be in front. When the two of them hauled the first body, Carol opted to take the lead…which resulted in Daryl following behind. He'd stared at her ass for close to twenty minutes before stumbling over a thick tree root and taking a fall… After that, they both agreed that Daryl should be up front.

The system seemed to be working, at least as far as the hunter was concerned. He had no idea that Carol was struggling just as he had. There wasn't a single part of Daryl that she didn't like, but it was his arms that had been holding her attention for the last hour. His grip on the deer's forelegs was secure, his arms locked in position behind him. She loved the definition…the tanned skin, the way sweat clung to the muscles that were subtly trembling with the effort of holding up the carcass…everything. Those arms seemed to become more distracting as the day wore on, and it was a wonder Carol hadn't taken any falls yet. It seemed like all she'd done, since she first turned and kissed him earlier in the afternoon, was stare at him. His face, those eyes, his mouth, those strong shoulders…his back, his ass…she was willing to be that her eyes had roamed his entire body close to a thousand times since that morning. Within the quiet safety of her mind, she was undressing him…peeling back the layers, one by one…lusting after him like a wolf after fresh meat. She knew that it was wrong…it had to be. But she couldn't help herself. She'd had a taste of him and all she wanted was more. So Carol kept any complaints to herself, and helped her partner haul carcasses. She marched resolutely behind him, maintaining her grip on the deer's legs, and stared at the hunter like he was a Christmas present that she knew she'd get to unwrap later.

With their clothes plastered to their bodies, and their muscles aching, the survivors were in need of distractions. Their energy was running low, and frustrations were high…on both sides. A smirk began tugging at the corner of Daryl's mouth as something occurred to him. Since they still had a ways to go before they reached camp, the hunter figured that it couldn't hurt to fill the time up with some meaningful conversation.

"I was thinkin'…" he huffed without looking back at Carol.

Her eyes were trained on his ass. "Yeah?" she said.

"Now that ya had some time to let your head clear…you still wantin' to go through with it?"

Carol nearly laughed but she bit her lip and smirked instead. "I'm game if you are." she said.

Daryl snorted and shook some of the damp hair out of his eyes; he could hear the smile in her voice. "Ya seem sure."

"I am." she chuckled.

"Why?" he asked, genuinely curious. "What makes ya think it's a good idea?"

"You having second thoughts?" she asked playfully.

"I didn't say that. Just wanted to hear your side of it. That's all." He hefted the weight of the carcass in his grasp and pressed on through the brush.

Carol worked to keep up with him. "Just to clarify…" she huffed. Their pace was increasing and she needed to catch her breath. "You're asking why I think it's a good idea for us to have sex?"

Daryl's groin tightened. Until then, neither of them had actually said the word out loud…it seemed to make everything real. The hunter swallowed hard, letting the simple word echo in his head.

Sex…

It sounded so strange…almost foreign. But they couldn't avoid saying it forever… He spoke to distract himself. "That's what I'm askin'." he said.

It was Carol's turn to snort. She shook her head; there was a smile on her lips. "I mean….aside from the obvious benefits…"

"What benefits?" he asked, goading her.

Her eyes narrowed then, and she stared hard at his back. Realization washed over her and she shook her head again.

He's fishing…

She chuckled to herself and blew out a breath. "And here I thought you were different."

Daryl shot a quick glance at her over his shoulder. "What?"

"You're just like every other guy. You just want someone to stroke your ego."

The hunter was still smirking at her, a faint blush on his face. "You ain't gotta stop with my ego…" he growled playfully.

Carol's lips parted in awe; she was tempted to drop the carcass and smack him. She never thought she'd hear Daryl Dixon make a dirty joke…it was at once frustrating and intriguing…and the look on his face wasn't helping. The way he stared at her from beneath his lashes, a few shocks of dark hair in his eyes… She wanted to push him onto the ground and fuck him then and there…but she kept herself in check and maintained her composure.

"Wow…" she said simply; Carol couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face.

Daryl blushed harder and turned away. They were still making their way through the forest, and the hunter intended to keep them on course. "Go on then," he called back to her. "I still wanna hear about them benefits ya seem so sure of."

"Fine." she chuckled. "I guess the most obvious one would be the release of endorphins…"

"Come again?" Daryl asked, a crease forming in his brow.

"Endorphins." she repeated, knowing that it wasn't what the hunter expected to hear. "They're natural pain-killers and overall mood-boosters."

"That what you're excited about?" he asked.

She laughed. "Yes. Aren't you?"

Daryl gnawed his bottom lip and thought about it. "If you think I oughta be."

"The brain releases endorphins when you climax…they get into your bloodstream quick…that's the reason people feel so good afterwards…it's like a temporary high."

It was Daryl's turn to shake his head. "Do ya have to turn everything into a damn biology lesson? Jesus…"

Carol laughed again. "Sorry. Let me think…" She bit the corner of her lip and tried to determine what to say.

What are the benefits…

If she was being honest with herself, there were probably dozens…maybe even hundreds? but she wasn't about to spend the rest of their hike fawning over Daryl like an idiot and telling him how much she wanted him. "Well… there's stress relief. I think that's one we can both agree on." she said.

The hunter let himself smile. "Alright. What else?"

"It'll help us sleep." she quipped.

Daryl snorted. "Fair enough. Keep goin'."

Carol stared dreamily at his back and wished she could voice everything that was going through her head. "It's fun." she said.

The hunter felt the smile spreading on his face.

"I mean…I think it will be." she added."

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah." she chuckled, glad he couldn't see the blush on her cheeks.

"I'm startin' to feel some pressure here." he admitted.

Carol rolled her eyes. "Stop."

"Naw," he said. "All this about relievin' stress, 'n helpin' ya sleep…makin' sure ya get them damn endorphins goin'…seems like there's a lot ridin' on this."

His tone was playful, but Carol suspected that there was a grain of truth to his concerns. She seemed to realize, in that moment, what he'd just admitted to… he was concerned about her…about making sure she got what she needed from him. It was a strange thing to wrap her head around, and it made her heart beat a little faster.

"I'm flattered." she said.

Daryl hefted the deer's weight again but didn't slow his pace. "Why's that?" he asked.

"The fact that you're so worried about this…about me…it's kind of sexy." she said, feeling a flush creep up her body.

The hunter nearly stumbled. He was sure no one had ever called him that before… "How do ya figure that?" he made himself ask. His mouth seemed to have gone dry.

"Because," she couldn't keep the smile off her face. "The average guy doesn't worry…"

Daryl swallowed hard and tried to maintain his composure. "Guess I ain't average then."

Carol waited a few seconds before responding. "I bet nothing about you is average."

The hunter couldn't help it; he stopped in his tracks and looked back at her, trying to determine if he'd heard her correctly, his brows knitting together.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"You know ya ain't helpin', right?"

Carol just stared at him, unsure of what he meant.

"With the pressure." he said.

Carol let out a nervous giggle and wiped her face against her shoulder. When she refocused on him, she could feel the blush burning on her cheeks. "Daryl…quit. It's cute that you're so worried about this…but you really don't need to be."

Daryl huffed, his eyes still fixed on her.

"Really," she insisted. "In case you forgot…I woke up first this morning."

The hunter looked confused; he didn't understand the significance of that statement.

"Which means I had a few minutes to process what was going on…and…" she chewed her bottom lip for several seconds, trying to summon the courage she needed to get the rest of the words out. "What with our lack of clothes…and the fact that we were so close…I got a…preview."

"A preview?" he asked.

"I was able to get a pretty good idea of…" but she couldn't bring herself to say it. "Look; the point is…There are certain things…well…one thing in particular that I know, for a fact, you do not need to worry about."

Daryl was at a loss. He couldn't process the fact that Carol was referring to his cock.

This shit ain't happenin'….

But it was. The very real carcass was still suspended between them, and they were holding each other's gazes. Cicadas continued to chirp and hum…the humid forest air seemed to vibrate with the sound. It was all real… He had to remind herself that they were talking about sex…sex that they intended to have before the day was over. He couldn't allow himself to get rattled just because Carol was sharing her thoughts on his body…Daryl supposed it was important, and a good thing to hear. It was still bizarre.

Carol could see that her partner was still dumbstruck. While she had his attention, she decided to push him a little bit further. "It's not just the endorphins I'm excited about."

Daryl let himself smirk at her.

"No pressure," she added, smirking back at him.

"Mhmm." he huffed, turning away from her and resuming his trek.

Carol sighed and followed suit. She found that the deer didn't seem so heavy, and the heat wasn't quite so oppressive as it had been a few moments ago. Her conversation with Daryl seemed to have lightened the mood. She couldn't help but to feel that the whole thing was just the hunter's attempt at flirtation…or foreplay.

Maybe this is his way of easing into it?

Carol wanted him to be comfortable with it…she wanted him to want it as much as she did. "So…you've heard my thoughts. Care to share any of yours?" she asked.

Daryl snorted.

"Come on," she urged. "I'm curious."

The hunter knew it was a dangerous conversation to engage in; he couldn't decide what to say…where to start.

Carol sighed again. "Don't you miss it?"

Daryl stared out at the forest as the smile crept onto his face. "I was fine without it…till this mornin'."

Her eyes narrowed in skepticism as she followed behind him. "Really? You were fine?"

"That's what I said." he huffed.

"I don't understand how you could not miss it…"

"It's real easy. Once ya get enough shit on your plate, ya quit thinkin' 'bout all them little things ya don't need." he said.

"So sex is a little thing then?" she asked.

"When ya gotta worry 'bout walkers…where you're gonna sleep at night… 'n keepin' people fed…gettin' off just don't seem important."

"But it does now?"

Daryl cast a quick glance over his shoulder. "When ya wake up in your underwear…next to somebody else, who ain't wearin' much more than you…ya start re-thinkin' your priorities."

She laughed at that.

"And when ya got a woman touchin' ya…makin' all kinds of offers…kissin' ya…makes ya think that maybe ya been missin' somethin' after all."

Carol's laughter died down and they held each other's gazes. "You have no idea." she said, her voice low.

Daryl's groin tightened again, and he swore within the safety of his mind.

Your ass better not let that shit happen…You really want that woman to talk ya down, again? You keep this up…'n the times gonna come when she's ready but your dumbass can't deliver.

That was the very last thing that Daryl needed…more pressure. He tried to shake the nagging voice in his head and keep walking. Camp wasn't far.

As if she could hear his thoughts, Carol called out to him. "Hey."

"Yeah?" he answered without looking back at her.

"Quit worrying. It's gonna be great."

The hunter sighed. "If you say so."

She smiled. "I do. And it's okay to miss it."

As they pressed on, moving steadily through the forest, Daryl let himself smile.

The sun was creeping slowly across the sky, leaving a searing trail of pink and orange in its wake. By the time they reached their camp, the survivors were ready to drop. Their coolers were completely loaded with game, and Daryl was having trouble believing the success they'd had.

"Shit…" he breathed, his hands on his hips. He stood in awe of their kills and stared down at the coolers.

"No kidding," said Carol as she reached up to wipe fresh sweat from her brow. In addition to the three deer, they managed to snag several large hares, a possum, and a few squirrels.

Daryl couldn't remember the last time he'd done so well…probably not since he'd been hunting with Merle. It was then that he realized how important it was to have a partner. As they stood together, Daryl was silently grateful for her company. Even if the morning had gone differently, and she'd never made an offer…even if they never kissed, the hunter knew that he was damn lucky to have her with him.

"Thanks," he growled softly.

Carol's arms were folded across her chest as she glanced at him. "For what?" she asked, smiling.

He lifted his chin to meet her gaze. "All this." he gestured at their coolers. "For bein' out here. Sure it ain't been a cakewalk."

Carol blew out a breath and rocked slowly on her heels. "It hasn't." she admitted, a small smirk on her face. "This has actually been very educational."

"Yeah?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes." she chuckled. "I have a whole new appreciation for how you spend your days now. Not that I didn't appreciate what you were doing before.." she quickly added. "But being out here…being involved in the entire process, from start to finish…it was eye opening."

Suddenly humbled, Daryl looked away.

It was then that Carol understood the burden that he'd been shouldering since the newcomers arrived at the prison.

This is what it takes to keep them fed…

The work was difficult, dangerous, and Daryl had been doing it alone. "I'm sorry…" she said. "I should've come out before now…offered to help…"

But Daryl just shook his head, dismissing the statement. "Nah. That was on me. I never asked for help cuz I didn't want any. Figured I'd been doin' it on my own long enough…didn't need anybody else. If I wanted help, I woulda asked….I shoulda asked." he corrected himself. "It's just…With all the folks at the prison…I need the space."

Carol's expression softened as she stared at him. "I get it. It's a lot. Nothing wrong with wanting to escape every now and then. That's why I was worried…"

"Hm?" Daryl glanced at her.

"When Rick asked me…I'm sorry…told me, that I would be joining you on this little expedition." said Carol.

The hunter snorted. "Didn't give your ass a choice, did he?"

She shook her head and smiled. "Nope. Not that I minded…but I know you like getting away…and I just figured I'd be crowding you out here."

Daryl thought about that for a second and then ran a broad hand through his hair. "That tent sure seemed to get crowded quick…"

Carol's eyes flicked to his face in time to see him smirk at her. "You wanting to rethink the sleeping arrangement? Is that it?" she asked.

The hunter thrust his hands into his pockets and kicked softly at the ground. "I didn't say that…"

"No? Then how about you tell me exactly what it is you mean. Do you like having me out here?" she asked, a teasing tone to her voice.

Daryl felt himself blushing and he kicked at the ground again. "Ya really need to hear me say it?"

Carol smiled at him, her arms still folded across her chest. "I really do."

He blew out a breath and stared up at the three tops. "I like havin' ya here." he growled softly, almost as if he were speaking to himself.

Carol's stomach flipped a little and she stared down at her boots while she chewed her bottom lip. "I like being here." she admitted.

The survivors couldn't bring themselves to look at one another. They stood in the center of their small campsite, each of them focused on different things. Daryl was still gazing up at the network of branches overhead, his eyes narrowing as he squinted against the invading afternoon light. As the seconds ticked by, Carol memorized every last scratch and scuff on her boots. Neither of them knew what to say…so they waited, in silence, each of them hoping the other would eventually break it.

The hunter focused on colorful patches of sky that were visible through breaks in forest canopy. He knew that Carol wasn't one for platitudes…she was honest…and when she said something, she meant it. But despite all that, Daryl's insecurities still managed to surface. He couldn't accept the fact that she liked being there with him. Why would she? She hadn't volunteered to come…that part was Clear. Rick hadn't given her a choice. The work they were doing was messy, exhausting…and Daryl wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine.

What's she gettin' out of all this?

He couldn't help but to doubt what she'd told him. "Why?" he finally asked; the word came out as a low growl. His toes were curling anxiously in his boots, and he still hadn't torn his eyes away from the tree tops.

His voice stirred Carol from her thoughts. "Hm?"

"Why do ya like bein' out here?" he asked softly. He couldn't understand why asking such a simple question was making him so nervous.

She hugged herself tighter and shifted lazily from one foot to the other. With her eyes still on the ground, Carol shrugged. "Because I like you." she admitted, biting her bottom lip afterwards.

I like you? Are you 12?

Carol's eyes slammed shut and she chided herself for being ridiculous.

Daryl's lips parted slightly in surprise and he finally turned to stare at her. "Yeah?" he asked, wanting to know that he'd heard her correctly.

Carol could feel him watching her and she took a deep breath before lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "Yeah." she answered, a soft smile on her lips.

They studied one another in the hazy afternoon light and silently wondered how to move forward. Daryl saw the color in her cheeks and knew what a toll the small admission must've taken on her. In that moment, all the hunter wanted was to give Carol everything she deserved. He wanted to repay all the kindness she'd shown him since their paths first crossed at the quarry. With his hands still in his pockets, Daryl cleared his throat and kicked at the dirt again.

"So…I was thinkin'…" he growled softly.

Carol's smile widened. "What?"

The hunter could feel himself blushing, but he didn't care. He needed to get the words out. "Chores are done."

A nervous chuckle burst from Carol's lips. "They are." she agreed.

"Don't know about you…but I'm about ready to wash this damn day off." he said, glancing at her.

Carol watched him watching her…the way the smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth. She wondered if anyone had ever been as attractive as he was in that moment. Unable to contain the happiness and excitement that was bubbling inside her, Carol chuckled again.

"Sounds good to me." she said.

"Alright; hang on then." he growled softly as he moved past her and strode towards their small tent.

All Carol could do was hug herself and wait.

The second Daryl unzipped the tent flap and stepped inside, the reality of what they were about to do hit him like a fist… He had to shake off the doubt and focus. Dropping to a crouch, he began rummaging through his ruck-sack, searching for the only clean change of clothes he'd packed. He dug deeper and found a threadbare towel that he'd only remembered to bring because Carol was constantly nagging him to take care of himself. Setting his belongings aside, Daryl slipped his hand down into one of the inner pockets of his ruck-sack. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he found the last thing he needed. Tucking it securely into his back pocket, the hunter moved to the opposite side of the tent and carefully began sorting through the contents of Carol's bag. It felt strange…almost like an invasion of privacy, but he wanted to take care of everything for her. No more excuses… no more waiting.

The hunter smirked when he found the ziplock he knew she'd have. She'd been smart enough to pack a few meager toiletries…soap, shampoo, a small plastic comb… He added the baggy to his pile and continued to sort through Carol's things. Daryl found a plain, white shirt that looked to be clean, along with a pair of cargo pants that had seen better days. He dug deeper, hoping to find the last thing he figured Carol would need. The hunter couldn't stop the blush from spreading on his face when his fist closed around a pair of cotton panties.

You've already seen her in her damn underwear…don't go losin' your shit over this.

But it was different to be handling them. He took a second to hold them up and wonder how in the hell the two of them were going to get through this. Sighing, he set the panties down. Daryl was about to head back out, but something caught his attention. With a crease forming in his brow, he hunched over Carol's bag and reached in. Holding his breath, he lifted a pale blue thong up, the skimpy bit of fabric hanging from the end of his finger.

What in the hell…

The hunter studied the delicate lace and tried to determine what purpose the ridiculous excuse for underwear could possibly serve. He couldn't imagine that the thong offered much coverage at all…

That's the point dumbass.

Realization washed over him and he had to blink.

She was thinkin' about it…before we came out here.

Daryl wasn't an expert on women…far from it, but he was smart enough to know that the thong hadn't just fallen into Carol's bag by accident.

She knew what she was doin' when she brought it.

He smirked to himself, thinking that Carol had a plan all along. With renewed confidence, Daryl folded both sets of clean clothes in a neat stack and set them on top of the towel. He bundled everything up, with the ziplock bag on the top of the heap and made his way back out of the tent.

"Wanna get that?" he asked, nodding to the flap that was still open behind him.

"Sure." Carol moved past him and quickly zipped the flap shut. "What's all that?" she asked once she was standing beside him, eyeing the bundle in his arms.

"Thought we were gonna wash up…figured we oughta have clothes to put on after…" he quipped, smirking at her.

Carol felt like an idiot. "Right." she said, rubbing the back of her neck out of nervousness.

"C'mon." he urged, gesturing to the wilderness that lay stretched out before them.

Carol gave him a funny look. "Where exactly are we going?"

Daryl started walking, leaving her in the center of their camp.

"Hey," she called, hurrying after him. "Daryl? Where are we going?"

He glanced at her over his shoulder. "There's a lake. It ain't that far."

She eventually fell into step beside him. "How do you know?"

"You really think I'd bring us out here without knowin' where we could get water if we had to?"

Carol stared at him incredulously.

"I did my homework. Looked over all the maps we got back at the prison. Wanted to have an idea of what we'd be dealin' with out here." he said, a smug look on his face.

Carol folded her arms across her chest and shook her head slowly. "Guess you thought of everything, huh?"

Daryl let himself chuckle. "Naw." His blue eyes flicked to her face and he smirked at her. "Not everything."

Carol blushed before reaching out to swat his arm. "Focus on the trail, Magellan." she said.

The hunter snorted, a smile on his face, and continued to lead the way through the brush.

"Well…" said Carol, one hand running through her mussed hair while the other was resting on her hip.

"Well." Daryl echoed. He set their belongings down at the base of a tall tree not far from the water's edge.

"We're here." Carol added, the nervousness creeping into her voice.

"We are." he agreed, moving to stand beside her.

Carol stared out at the lake…she had to admit it was beautiful, and definitely worth the hike. The water lapped gently at the bank, and the glassy surface shone brilliant with fiery sunlight. She could see a wall of tall pines on the far side of the lake, and the sun was sinking slowly…the ball of blazing orange light disappearing behind the silent trees. As she admired the natural beauty of the wild world, Carol forgot how tired she was. The aches and pains that she'd been battling all day seemed to fade away. It didn't matter how filthy her clothes were, or how much mud was caked on her boots. As much as she hated to admit it…she knew that Daryl had been right to make them wait. She couldn't think of a better way to end an extremely difficult, exhausting day. Daryl was standing just over a foot away, and she could sense his presence. Pulling a cleansing breath into her lungs, Carol glanced at her partner.

"So…" she said, gnawing her bottom lip.

"So." he echoed.

"How does this work?" she asked, chuckling.

"I figured you knew." he said, blushing a little.

Carol sighed and ran her hands over her face. "Why is this so hard?"

Daryl snorted. "Cuz it's us."

Sighing again, Carol clasped her hands and tried to form a plan. "Okay…how about this…"

"Go on." said Daryl.

"Instead of standing here worrying over nothing…why don't we ditch our clothes, and actually get washed up?"

"Ya say it like we're workin' the fence…" he chuckled. "It ain't that simple."

"Isn't it?" she argued.

Daryl shot her a look that was equal parts skepticism and intrigue.

"Come on," she said, smiling at him. "What do we have to lose?"

The hunter was still worried, but he didn't have an answer for her.

"Fine," she huffed. "I'll start." Without waiting for a response, she turned her back to him and reached for the hem of her dingy shirt. The muscles in her stomach were trembling, but she had to keep going. With her eyes shut tight, she pulled the shirt up and over her head. Before fear could get the best of her, Carol grabbed her tank top by the hem and started to pull it up.

Daryl stood frozen, watching as Carol shed layers. Once her shirt and tank top hit the ground, he found himself staring at her back…the dark strap of her bra…the faint freckles on her shoulders. He saw her reach around…those nimble fingers finding the clasp. Before she could get too far, Daryl decided it was best if he mimicked her pose and turned around. He blew out a breath and tried to relax as he began unbuttoning his shirt.

The two anxious people had their backs to one another as they stood near the water's edge and undressed. Carol's breath caught in her throat when she felt the ends of her clasp spring apart. She had to remind herself that they were doing all of this for a reason, but she couldn't seem to stop her heart from thrumming in her chest. She moved stiffly, slowly, as she slid the bra down her arms and let it fall. A small groan escaped her when she finally rid herself of the garment.

He was right. I would've been more comfortable without it.

Carol was having trouble processing the fact that she was topless, in the middle of the woods, with Daryl.

Just keep going.

But she could hear the rustling of his clothes, and the knowledge that he was shedding his own layers, right behind her, made concentrating that much harder…

Fuck…

She kept her eyes closed and fumbled with her belt buckle. Suddenly remembering her shoes, Carol was forced to slump down and work the boots off her feet.

Daryl tried to ignore the fact that there was a half naked woman behind him. He finished with his buttons and shrugged his shirt and vest off in one motion. It felt good to rid himself of the excess weight and he grunted as he kicked his boots off. He could hear Carol making soft little sounds of frustration as she struggled with her own shoes and it made him smile.

Damn boots must have twenty straps…

The hunter was nervous, but felt alright otherwise…at least until he heard Carol tugging at her zipper and pushing the cargo pants down her legs. Knowing that she was so close, in nothing more than panties, sent blood rushing to his groin. He felt his cock swell, the shaft growing hard and pressing against his own zipper. The hunter winced at the sudden pain. In that moment, he wasn't sure whether an erection made things worse…or better. They were undressing…they planned to wash up together…whatever that entailed. Daryl knew they'd have to face each other, naked, at some point in the very immediate future…but he couldn't help the sudden fears that had caught hold of him. He was completely out of his depth, and wondered if it was going to be too much for Carol if he turned around in his current state.

She gonna mind?

It seemed like such a ridiculous question…they'd been going over this all day…they were committed to it…they both wanted it, but Daryl couldn't seem to shake the feelings of guilt he'd always associated with his own arousal. He didn't want to do anything to offend her. The hunter's fingers were curling anxiously around the edge of his waistband as he considered keeping his pants on.

What kinda sense does that make? You really gonna walk into that damn lake with clothes on your body?

He grunted out of frustration. The hunter knew he had to keep going. He wanted Carol…and it wouldn't be fair if she ditched her clothes while he kept his on…at least he didn't think it would be fair.

"You okay back there?" Carol asked without turning around. She'd just stepped out of her own pants.

Daryl gnawed his bottom lip and considered the question. As far as his body was concerned, everything was great…but his head was still filled with doubt…he guessed his heart was somewhere in between.

The silence was unsettling and Carol hugged herself out of habit. She stood barefoot, nearly naked, and wondered if her partner was rethinking the whole thing. "Daryl?" she said softly. "Are you alright?"

The hunter released a heavy sigh and tried to relax. "Guess I'm still tryin' to wrap my head around all this." he admitted without looking back at her.

Carol's expression softened. She was the one in her underwear, but somehow, she sensed that Daryl was more vulnerable. "I know it's different…it's a lot. But I still think it would be fun." she said, a hopeful tone to her voice.

Daryl continued to chew his lip as he stared down at his feet.

"I meant what I said before." she added. "There's no pressure here. We can stop."

The hunter's toes curled out of nervousness, and his palms were beginning to sweat. "I don't wanna stop." he growled softly.

Carol's heart skipped a beat but she did her best to remain calm. "Alright…well…is there anything I can do to make this a little easier on you?"

Daryl tried to think of something, but his groin was demanding most of his attention.

She knew the first step was always the most difficult. "Hey," she called to him.

"Yeah?" he still wouldn't turn to look at her.

"Why don't you take off the rest of your clothes, and get in the water? I won't turn around until you give me the okay. You just go in, give yourself some time…and when you're ready for me to join you, I will. I'll take the ziplock out there with me when I go. Again, no pressure here. You wanted to wash up, so that's what we'll do. It doesn't need to be anything more than that." Her tone was soft, patient…she wanted to let him know that everything was going to be fine.

"Alright." Daryl answered, his gaze still lowered.

"Ok then." she smiled out at the wilderness, glad that they were making progress, even if it was slow.

The hunter took a deep breath and unfastened his belt buckle with clumsy, shaking fingers. He tugged at the leather, slipping it through his belt loops. When he pulled the tab on his zipper, Daryl hissed. His need was still smothered beneath his clothes.

Carol could hear him working his pants and boxers down his hips. The weaker part of her would've given anything to turn around and watch, but she knew she couldn't. She'd given him her word that she wouldn't look. Ignoring the sharp pain in her core, Carol finally slid her panties down her legs, and then off the ends of her pale feet. Butterflies frenzied in her stomach once she stood completely naked. She hugged herself tighter and tried to remember to breathe. The humid air pressed against her exposed skin and she marveled at the sensation. It felt so strange…the dark soil was soft and cool beneath her feet.

Daryl had to stifle a groan when his erection was finally free. He worked his ratty pants down his legs, along with his black boxers, and stepped out of them carefully, doing his best not to trip. The last thing he needed was to make an ass of himself in front of Carol. He knew she couldn't see him, and that he could trust her not to turn around, but it still gave him chills to know that she was behind him…just feet away, and as far as he knew, they were both completely naked now.

Christ…

He wondered how cold the water would be, and if it would affect his arousal. Swallowing hard, he wiped the sweat from his upper lip and took his first, hesitant step towards the lake. He was tempted to glance at Carol…just to ensure she wasn't watching him…but that didn't seem fair. If she wasn't looking, then he shouldn't be either. So he took another step, and then another, until he could feel mud squishing between his toes. He kept his eyes trained on the far side of the lake…the wall of dark pines. When the water lapped at his feet, he sucked in a sharp breath. There was a definite chill, but it wasn't as if the hunter had a choice…he couldn't turn back. Working to maintain his composure, and preparing himself for everything that might take place once they were both in the water, Daryl began wading farther out into the lake.

Carol could hear him moving through the water. Restless, she decided to head towards the tree where Daryl left their belongings. Careful not to look out at the lake, she kept her eyes trained on the tree. When she reached her destination, she bent down to retrieve the ziplock bag. Even though she was nearly certain that Daryl wouldn't look at her, she couldn't help but to worry about whether or not he might happen to glance her way.

You're being stupid. So is he. He had his tongue down your throat earlier…and his hands on your ass. You've been talking about this…thinking about it all day. Nudity is just part of it…you're both acting like children.

Carol frowned at the harshness of the voice in her head. "We're not children…" she muttered softly in an attempt to reassure herself. "We're just scared…" The admission made Carol feel a little better about the whole thing. She didn't think that fear was anything to be ashamed of, especially considering how long it had taken the two of them to build the relationship they enjoyed now. Carol knew that if they moved forward…if they crossed the last few lines that remained between them, there could be consequences. They were taking a risk… "We'll be okay." she breathed, standing up with the ziplock clutched tightly in her damp palm. "We'll be okay." Knowing that it was too late to turn back, Carol stood near the tree and waited for her partner to make the next move.

Daryl kept wading until he was waist deep in the water. He breathed a sigh of relief once his manhood was hidden. With his hands on his hips and his toes in the mud below, the hunter stared down at his arousal and wondered if he and Carol could really go through with it… He knew she was a grown woman who was more than capable of making her own decisions, but part of him was still worried. He wasn't sure what she would think when she finally saw him naked. She told him there wasn't any pressure, but he couldn't help it. He supposed it was some fundamental part of being a male; Daryl wanted her approval…to impress and please her. It wasn't as if he could change…the hunter had what god had given him, and nothing more. He just hoped that it was enough…that he was enough for her. Releasing a heavy sigh, he dipped his hands in the water before running them over his face. Daryl closed his eyes and snorted as the cool beads of liquid hit his skin. He shook his hair and took a moment to clasp his hands at the back of his neck. Working to slow his breathing, the hunter tried to remind himself that they weren't doing anything wrong…they had every right to enjoy one another. His heartbeat was a steady pound in his chest and he knew the time for hesitation was gone. Easing his blue eyes open, he drew on his courage and called out to her. "Carol…"

The sound of her own name nearly made her jump. "Okay…" she breathed, speaking to herself. "I'm gonna turn around…" she warned, anxiety creeping into her voice.

Daryl was still facing the opposite side of the lake; he wouldn't take his eyes away from the pine trees. "Alright." he called back to her.

Carol took a deep breath and turned around slowly, cautiously. She stared out at the water and could see that Daryl had his back to her. Even from a distance, the scars stood out against his skin. The fact that he was willing to share that much of himself with her gave Carol the strength she needed to take the next step. She could hardly breathe, and her heart was in her throat, but she made herself move. As she neared the water's edge, Carol seemed to grow concerned with her body. She'd been so wrapped up in the idea of being intimate with Daryl that she hadn't really stopped to consider her own shortcomings. She froze when she felt the cool water hit her toes.

What if this isn't what he wants? What if I'm not enough?

She hugged herself. Carol couldn't remember the last time she'd been naked in front of anyone…let alone a man. As she stood at the edge of the water, mentally appraising herself, something broke her trance.

"Carol?" Daryl called out again. "Ya comin'?"

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and blew out a breath. "Yeah." she made herself answer.

The hunter fought the urge to turn around and look at her. He could hear the notes of fear in her voice and knew they were probably having similar concerns.

Carol took another cautious step, submerging her right foot in the water. The feeling took her breath away but she had to keep moving. The muscles in her stomach were already tensing at the thought of cold water. "Jesus," she muttered, taking another step…and then another. She clutched the ziplock bag in one hand and used her other arm for balance as she began wading deeper. The space between her and the hunter was shrinking. As she got closer, Carol seemed to forget about her own body…all that mattered was Daryl…his skin… Her mouth grew dry as she thought about what it might be like to run her hands over that skin. By the time she was standing behind him, Carol had all but lost the ability to speak or think.

Daryl could hear the sound of the water lapping gently against their bodies. He knew she was close, but he would not allow himself to turn around. Carol's heart was thrumming, but one of them needed to say something. She cleared her throat, breaking the silence as carefully as she could. The cold water was hiding her body from the waist down. She began twisting the ziplock in her hands, unsure of what else to do.

"So…" she said, her voice nearly cracking with the effort.

"Mhmm." he answered.

"I…" Carol was searching for the right words…but they were hard to find. "I have the soap." she finally said.

Daryl wasn't sure if it was nerves, or the absurdity of the situation, but he couldn't stop himself from chuckling.

The sound caused a small smile to spread on Carol's lips. "What's funny?" she asked.

"I don't know." His hands were on his hips, and he shook his head slowly.

Carol's eyes took in the sight of his bare skin…she was silently memorizing every scar. Starting from his shoulders, she studied everything that she could see…down his back..to his tailbone, but she stopped herself from looking at anything else. She'd always assumed the hunter had a cute ass hidden under his clothes, but she knew if she let herself look down at the water, she'd probably lose her train of thought and end up stumbling over her words like an idiot…if she wasn't already doing that…

"How did you wanna do this?" she asked. "Wash up, I mean."

Daryl snorted. "Why's it gotta be how I want? We oughta be doin' what you want…" he growled softly.

The smile was spreading on her face. "You're doing it again." she said, biting her bottom lip.

"Doin' what?" he asked, allowing himself to smile.

"Thinking about me." she said, blushing. "It's…it's just attractive…that's all." Carol shrugged and continued to twist the plastic baggy in her hands.

Daryl smirked as he considered the statement. "What else would I be thinkin' about?" he asked.

Carol laughed at that. "I don't know."

The hunter gnawed the corner of his lip as he tried to decide how to move forward. He found that talking help cut the tension between them and if they kept it up for a while, they'd probably be able to relax. "How 'bout…since ya got the soap…"

"Yeah?"

"Ya help me out." he said, finishing the thought.

Carol was unsure what he meant at first, but in the next instant, he lifted his arms, holding them straight up. Beads of water rolled down his skin as Carol stared. Before she could become totally entranced, she reminded herself of the task at hand. opening the small bag, she fished out the bar of soap. It occurred to her that she'd need two free hands…sighing, she made sure the bag was sealed before placing the edge between her lips, holding it with her teeth.

"Okay," she grunted softly around the bag and lathered the small bar between her hands.

Daryl chuckled again. "Doin' alright back there?"

"Just fine." she said as she worked to keep the edge of the bag secure between her teeth. With one hand gripping the bar, and the other slick with suds, Carol slowly reached out to touch his shoulder…her fingers were shaking, and they both jerked when she finally made contact.

"Easy," she said, sighing through her nose.

Daryl blew out a breath and closed his eyes, answering her with a nod.

Carol began running her free hand up, from his shoulder, along the side of his raised arm, as high up as she could reach. His skin felt so good under her palm, but she fought to focus. She used her other hand to scrub his opposite shoulder blade with the bar. Wanting to feel as much of him as she could, Carol decided to run the bar of soap all over his back, creating a layer of suds.

Daryl worked to control his breathing; it was so strange to be touched that way…

Once she was satisfied with the amount of lather she'd created, Carol squeezed his shoulder to get his attention. "Hey."

"Hm?"

"Mind holding the soap? I'm thinking this'll work better if I have two free hands."

"Sure." he grunted, one of his arms reaching back carefully…he didn't want to accidentally touch some part of her that she hadn't given him permission to touch yet.

Carol met him halfway, handing over the slick bar of soap. "Okay," she said, her words muffled as she tried to speak with the bag still between her teeth. "Now relax."

He nodded again.

Carol grinned as she finally placed two hands on his shoulders. He felt so good….forgetting herself, she drug her nails down his soapy back, grazing his skin. The sensation was enough to make her shiver. She wanted to claw him harder, but kept herself in check.

Daryl's lips parted, his eyes were slammed shut and he felt his cock twitch under the water.

Fuck…

Every little touch was driving him closer to an edge he wasn't ready for. The way her hands worked his back…squeezing, massaging the aching muscles…scrubbing, clawing lightly…it was mesmerizing. She was rubbing him in circles now…he could feel her palms gliding over the surface of his soapy skin. He noticed that she didn't shy away from his scars…she seemed to treat every inch of him with the same tenderness.

Carol loved everything about him…she couldn't believe he was letting her touch him. Feeling playful, she let one finger trail quickly down the length of his spine and he shivered in response.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I'm good." he said as he worked to remain calm.

Smiling, Carol continued her ministrations. She ran her soft hands up and down his back, scrubbing as she went. She felt the raised flesh of scars…the curves of his shoulder blades, and the muscle underneath. She inched just a little closer to him and let her hands travel along the sides of his arms; she paused when she reached his biceps and gripped them a little harder than she needed to.

Daryl smirked, glad that she found something she liked.

From his arms, she moved back to his shoulders, then to the sides of his neck where she gently rubbed the skin.

The hunter sighed, loving the way it felt.

Raking her nails down, from the base of his neck, all the way to his tailbone, Carol realized she needed to get rid of the bag. She wanted her hands free…her lips.. she wanted to be able to touch and kiss him however, whenever she wanted. Withdrawing her hands from his body, she pulled the bag from her mouth and cleared her throat.

"Think you're good to wash all that off now." she said.

Daryl grunted before reaching back to hand her the soap.

She carefully took the offering and slipped it into the bag.

Once his hands were free, Daryl slammed his eyes shut and braced himself as he sank down into the water. The hunter clenched his teeth and swore within the safety of his mind. The water might've been cold before, but once he submerged his entire body, he felt a chill that went straight down to his bones. Knowing that motion would help, he used his strong legs to push off from the bottom and glide forward through the water.

Daryl had always been at home in lakes and rivers; he was a good swimmer and had the lung capacity of a diver. He could stay under as long as he needed to. With his eyes closed, Daryl swam beneath the surface of the lake and felt the cool water moving smoothly over his skin…taking soap and dirt with it… The liquid was flowing through his dark, tangled hair, and the sensation was enough to make him groan. For the first time since he and Carol ventured into the woods, Daryl felt somewhat clean…and he had to admit that the feeling was incredible. As he moved soundlessly through the water, the once shocking chill began to dissipate. Blood was rushing under his skin, helping him to stay warm. After several more seconds, the hunter planted his feet firmly on the bottom of the lake and broke the surface.

Snorting and gasping a little, Daryl shook his hair and rubbed his eyes. He ran his hands over his face, his fingers going back into his damp locks. As he stood, catching his breath, the hunter marveled at the feeling of warm, heavy air pressing against his exposed skin, while the cold water surrounded him from the waist down. Clear, shining beads clung to his upper body…the ends of his hair…

He'd unintentionally put a bit of distance between himself and his partner. Carol was still standing where he'd left her. She was kneading the plastic bag again…remembering the way it felt to run her hands over Daryl's back. She wanted to keep touching him…and she wanted him to touch her. But she felt the need to give him a moment. So, battling her own frustration, Carol admired her companion and waited patiently for him to come back.

She never would've imagined that it was possible for Daryl to get more appealing than he already was…but the ever-increasing ache between her legs seemed to be evidence to the contrary. She was mesmerized by the sight of him standing in the water. His broad hands were in his hair, pushing it back, out of his face…his eyes were still closed and there was a small crease in his brow. With slightly parted lips, Daryl stood in the lake and waited for his body to adjust to everything he was feeling. The hunter didn't realize he was being watched.

As beads of liquid rolled down his face and clung to his scruff, Daryl seemed to remember where he was…and who he was with. He snorted again, his eyes easing open. He blinked tiny droplets of water away from his lashes and found himself staring out across the lake…at Carol. She'd been quick enough to fold her arms across her chest, hiding the parts of her body that Daryl was still so eager to see. He licked his lips, tasting the crisp, clear water, and called out to her.

"Guess we still ain't lookin' huh?"

Carol hugged herself tighter and chuckled. "Guess not."

He huffed but tried not to let her see how frustrated he was. "Alright if I head back your way?"

"What do you think I'm waiting on?" she called out playfully.

Daryl smirked before easing back down into the water. As the hunter swam in Carol's direction, he let his excitement build. He thought about the way her hands caressed his back…how good it felt, and knew that they'd feel even better on the rest of his body. He wasn't fully erect…the cold water seemed to be preventing that, but the thought of her hands on his skin was sending more blood down to his groin. The hunter stopped swimming when a foot or two of space remained between them. He stared at her…at the slender arms that were still covering her breasts, and wondered how long she intended to hide from him.

The survivors stood together, each of them waiting for the other to say something. Daryl was the one to finally break the silence. "Ya ain't finished with me, are ya?" he asked, somewhat surprised by his own boldness.

Carol felt herself blush. "I'm not."

Sensing that things would go easier if he wasn't looking at her, Daryl reluctantly turned around. "How 'bout ya get my front then?" he growled playfully.

She giggled nervously and fished the soap out of the small bag. Once the edge of the plastic bag was secure between her teeth, Carol lathered the bar between her hands. When she felt that she'd created the right amount of lather, she grunted to get his attention. "Hey."

"Hm?" he asked without looking back.

"Hold this for me." she said, offering him the soap.

Daryl reached back, just as he'd done before, and took the bar. With two free hands, Carol stood behind her partner and tried to get herself under control. She was trembling with anticipation… her toes curling in the mud below. As much as she wanted to reach out and touch him, she worried that once she started, she wouldn't be able to stop. She knew that if her hands moved down his body, towards his stomach, the temptation to touch his manhood would be too strong. She had to remind herself why they were out there.

We're doing this….we want it….we deserve it.

"Okay," she breathed around the bag. She took a hesitant step in his direction and lightly gripped his sides.

Daryl closed his eyes and tried to prepare himself for more contact.

Carol pressed in and could feel his ribs beneath her fingertips. "Ready?" she asked.

The hunter nodded. "Mhmm."

She swallowed hard and slowly moved her hands around his sides until her fingers were splaying on his chest. Daryl lifted his arms just enough to let her hands slide underneath. She clawed instinctively at his chest, making him growl. Before she could stop herself, Carol let her slick hands move down to his flat stomach. She clawed him again, trying to make sure that he was real. When her nails pricked his skin, Daryl felt his cock jerk under the water.

Carol worked to control her breathing as she ran her hands over the front of his body, getting the lather all over him. Daryl's stomach tensed and trembled, but he never wanted her to stop. It was incredible to be touched so tenderly. The hunter hadn't been washed by another person since he was a small child. With his eyes closed, he remembered the feeling of the cloth his mother used when he was young…the way she ran it gently over his face, doing her best to wash the dirt away without agitating him…there was something comforting about it. But with Carol…it was more than some simple comfort. He could feel it in the way she touched him…she really, truly, wanted him…and he wanted her.

"Closer." he growled softly.

Carol stopped running her hands over his skin…her fingertips gripping his sides again. "What?"

Daryl licked his lips again. "Jus…thinkin' it might be easier…if ya got closer."

She swallowed hard and felt her heart rate speed up. "Alright." Working to keep the bag secure between her teeth, Carol moved in closer…the space between them was shrinking and she was practically vibrating with nervous energy. With her arms around him, Carol let her hands splay over his stomach…and she stood behind him, their bodies finally touching.

The second he felt her breasts against his back, Daryl's cock twitched and he knew…without looking down, that his member was completely rigid…pointing straight at the damn sky. Glad that it was still concealed by the water, the hunter let himself release a sigh of satisfaction. It felt so good to be touched…to have a wet, naked, woman pressed up against him…her hands on his body. He couldn't stop thinking about her breasts and what they would feel like in his hands.

Carol heard his breathing pick up; the fact that he seemed to be struggling as much as she was offered some comfort. She was having trouble processing the fact that Daryl Dixon was in her arms…that his naked body was directly in front of her…and her breasts were pushing against his slick back.

"Can you do something for me?" she asked.

Daryl swallowed hard. "What did ya need?"

Carol pried one hand away from his stomach and reached up to pull the bag from her mouth. "You wanna hold this for a while?"

The hunter reached back, taking the ziplock from her. The instant he did, Carol's hand went back to his stomach. She clutched him tight around the middle and let her forehead rest between his shoulder blades. A shudder moved through her frame, and she simply enjoyed being close to him.

Daryl's lips parted…in one simple move, she'd taken his breath away. He'd forgotten what it felt like to be touched that way. Carol handled him like she cared about him. The hunter's hands were full, one holding the bag, while the other still gripped the soap. He desperately wanted to touch her. Ignoring the way his heart had begun to thrum, Daryl carefully opened the bag and dropped the soap inside.

"Ya alright?" he made himself ask.

A smile spread slowly on Carol's lips and she nuzzled his back, savoring the contact. Her eyes were closed as she smiled against his skin. She tightened her grip on his body and felt his stomach tremble again.

"I've been thinking about this all day." she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," she breathed, nuzzling him again.

Daryl shivered when her hushed words hit his skin. But before he could respond, he felt her kiss him. As her nails clawed lightly at his stomach, Carol let her lips linger in the space between his shoulder blades. She kissed his damp skin softly, sweetly… The hunter's breath caught as he tried to process what was happening to him.

Carols hands ran smoothly up his body, from his stomach to his chest, and then back down…she was mapping out the skin. "You feel so good," she whispered into his back.

The hunter's cock throbbed, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.

In the next instant, her hands slid to his hips and she began massaging him. "Is this okay?" she asked.

He managed a small nod.

"Good." she smiled, kissing the spot between his shoulder blades again. As she caressed his hips, Carol realized that she never wanted to let him go.

Losing himself in her touch, Daryl made sure the bag was sealed and brought the edge up to his lips. Once the ziplock was secured between his teeth, he slowly lowered his hands until they were resting over Carol's.

A small gasp escaped her and she stopped massaging him. With her heart beating heavy in her chest, Carol waited for her partner to act.

Drawing on his courage, and giving in to the desire that had been crippling him all afternoon, the hunter carefully moved Carol's hands back to his stomach…he used his grip to keep her there for several seconds as they both did their best to prepare for whatever was coming. Nervous, restless, the hunter licked his lips and began to guide Carol's hands further down his body. He braced himself for resistance…but it never came. She was pliant in his grasp, letting him lead her. Blood was rushing in his ears when Carol's fingertips dipped below the water and finally brushed his groin. They both gasped and froze.

Carol couldn't breathe. "You're…you're sure?" she asked.

Daryl gnawed his bottom lip for half a heartbeat and then made himself nod.

"Okay," she whispered, giddy with excitement. Her hands went to the front of his thighs and she started rubbing the strong muscles there.

After several seconds, Daryl realized it wasn't enough. "Carol…" he growled under his breath.

"What?" She gripped his thighs, her fingers so dangerously close to his arousal.

"I want…" he paused, swallowing hard. "I need ya to touch me."

Carol felt her walls tighten. "Okay," she breathed. "Just relax."

He nodded again.

With the tip of her tongue resting between her lips, she left one hand on Daryl's thigh, and moved the other towards his groin. They both shuddered but Carol knew she couldn't stop. They'd come too far. Holding her breath, she carefully gripped the base of his cock, letting her fingers curl around it one by one.

"Fuck…" Daryl whined around the bag, his hips bucking slightly.

"God…" Carol groaned into his back. She was squeezing the base and preparing to run her hand along the rigid shaft, but before she could do anything, Daryl reached back and grabbed her hips. He didn't waste time, or wait for her to adjust, he simply began massaging her hips, loving the way her soft skin felt under his palms. Carol's core tightened at the feeling of those strong, broad hands on her body…

"That alright?" The hunter asked, his voice thick with need.

"Yeah," she sighed.

The late afternoon sky seemed to be on fire overhead. The heavens burned bright with streaks of gold, orange, and purple…the vibrant colors dappled the surface of the lake in brilliant light. With shaking hands, the survivors stood waist deep in the cool water and explored one another…their bodies glowing and their hearts racing.

Carol placed another kiss to his back and felt his manhood swell in her hand. Unable to wait any longer, she slid her hand along the thick shaft…squeezing when she reached the end of his cock.

"Son of a bitch…" Daryl growled.

She took a moment to drag her thumb across the hole at the tip and the hunter bucked his hips in response. "Good?" she asked, running her palm over the blunt head of his member.

Daryl slammed his eyes shut and whined. "Do it again…please." He continued massaging her.

Carol didn't need to be asked twice. She let her nails dig into the meat of his thigh while her other hand traveled back down the length of his erection. He twitched in her grasp, but she held on tight, squeezing as she went. Breathy little moans were escaping her each time she caressed his manhood. He felt long…big in her hand, and the tip was so swollen. Carol rubbed it with her palm and wondered how long he would last.

He has to be close…

But that didn't matter. If he wanted to be touched, Carol was going to touch him. So she stood behind her partner, panting into his back as he massaged her hips. His thick member was throbbing, and Carol tugged at it beneath the water, her hand gliding easily along the shaft.

Daryl could feel her pulling his hard-on, her warm fingers wrapped so securely around his aching cock. She moved back and forth, up and down, stroking him…he knew she was trying to coax an orgasm from him, but he wasn't ready to give in. He just needed the contact…Daryl wanted to be ready when the two of them finally decided to move forward. He wanted to be hard enough for her….so he kept his eyes closed, focused on the feeling of her hips under his hands, and let her build his need.

Carol sighed as his fingertips pressed in, working her hips…he was increasing the pressure as she stroked his length. She wanted him to touch her…everywhere. She wanted to feel his hands all over her body, to kiss him, bite him…Her head was spinning and she could hardly accept the fact that she literally had Daryl in the palm of her hand. Her desire seemed to grow with each passing second and she tenderly squeezed his cock, her soft hand moving from the base to the tip, over and over…

The hunter's mouth was dry and his heart was racing; he knew that he needed to stop her… He was jerking in her grasp, and if she moved just a little faster…and pulled a little harder, the sensations would overwhelm him and he would come.

No.

He'd made up his mind that he wasn't going to let that happen. It wasn't his first time, and he had the willpower to keep his orgasm at bay...no matter how good Carol's hand felt on his shaft. She was still clawing at his thigh, and he could feel her breathy little moans hitting his back. Her soft, slick breasts were pushed against him, and he had both of his hands on her hips. He was tempted to let them slide even further back to grip her ass, but he worried about crossing a line. So he touched Carol, and let her touch him, knowing that he'd be able to stop before his climax rushed to the surface. He growled around the bag and felt himself getting harder as Carol toyed with him. Every ounce of blood in his body seemed to be pouring into his manhood.

Carol was losing patience…she needed more from him, but she didn't want to let go of his warm, solid flesh. "You like that?" she breathed.

The hunter's eyes were still slammed shut. "Mhmm." he whined before bucking his hips into her hand.

Carol had to stifle a growl. She'd never heard anything sexier than Daryl Dixon groaning as he tried to fight off an orgasm. Every single thing he did…every sound he made seemed to heighten her arousal. Running her palm over the head of his cock again, Carol whispered into his back.

"Aren't you going to wash me?"

Daryl's eyes eased open and he tried to ignore the way his member was throbbing in her grasp. "Hm?" he growled softly, trying to get his bearings.

Carol smirked before kissing his damp skin again. "Just thought…since I did you…you'd do me."

The hunter considered that. He'd get to touch more of her…which was a definite plus. And he figured it would be good to get a break from the incredible friction on his cock.

"Alright," he answered, doing his best to speak with the bag still caught between his teeth.

Carol's smile widened and she gave him another good pull.

"Christ…" he snarled. "I wanna see ya."

The motion of her hand stopped and she blinked, trying to make sure she'd heard him correctly. "You do?"

Daryl nodded.

"You're sure?" she asked, her tongue darting out over her lips.

The hunter did his best to get the words out. "I am. Jus…ya feel nice…'n I'm bettin' ya look even better than ya feel."

Carol swallowed hard. She wasn't used to hearing things like that…she didn't think any man had ever spoken to her that way. It was surreal to hear those words coming from Daryl.

He squeezed her hips gently to get her attention. "Carol?"

The action startled her. "Hm?"

"I won't turn around…unless ya want me to….but I'd really like for ya to want me to." his words were somewhat muffled by the plastic bag.

Carol hid between his shoulder blades and let the nervous laughter bubble up from her chest. "Alright" she breathed. Carefully, she released his manhood and pulled her other hand away from his thigh.

Daryl immediately missed her touch, but he knew they were headed in the right direction. Taking a cleansing breath, he slowly prepared to turn around and face her.

Instinctively, Carol took a few shaky steps back and folded her arms across her chest. She didn't know why she felt the need to hide from him…this was someone she planned to sleep with before the day was over…someone who's arousal she'd already felt in her hands. But she still couldn't shake the foolish fear that he might not approve of her…once he saw her completely naked.

Reaching up, Daryl took the bag from his mouth and opened the seal. He pulled out the bar of soap and finally turned towards his partner. The hunter couldn't stop the little sigh of frustration that escaped him when he saw that Carol was still hiding her chest.

She smiled at the look on his face…that of a child who wasn't getting his way. "What?" she asked, feigning ignorance.

"Nothin'." he huffed, smirking at her. "Really want me to wash ya?"

Carol nodded as the blush spread on her cheeks.

Daryl's eyes narrowed. "Fine. Gonna need one of them hands then."

A crease formed in her brow.

"Ain't ya gonna hold the bag?" he asked.

Carol chuckled. "Sure."

The hunter held out the ziplock, waiting for her to take it. His blue eyes flicked from her face, to her chest as he waited for her to grab the offering. He was hoping she would have to move one of her arms just enough to reveal what she was hiding. But Carol was smarter than that. Keeping one arm draped securely across her breasts, she reached out and carefully took the bag from his hand…never once revealing what she'd worked so hard to conceal.

Daryl just stared at her with narrowed eyes and slowly shook his head. He couldn't believe that they were standing together, naked, in a lake…and Carol still wouldn't let him see her chest. "You just ain't givin' up, are ya?" he growled softly.

She bit her bottom lip and chuckled again. "I'm working up to it."

But the hunter was tired of waiting. He was hard, he was ready, and he couldn't take much more teasing. So he kept his gaze locked on her's while he lathered the soap between his hands.

The way he was looking at her made Carol uneasy…she felt like he could see right through her.

When he was satisfied with the amount of lather, he gestured to Carol. "Hold it open."

She did her best to follow the instructions without revealing her breasts.

Daryl dropped the soap back into the bag. Before Carol could do or say anything, he pulled the ziplock out of her grasp, sealed it, and then turned suddenly, throwing the bag back towards the bank…it landed with a small thud.

"Daryl?" Carol's brows were knitting together as she refocused on his face. "Why did you…" but she wasn't able to finish the thought.

Without waiting for permission, the hunter reached for her arms and gently, but forcefully, pulled them down. Carol gasped, her eyes wide and fearful. Her body began to tremble and she knew she'd never felt more exposed…more vulnerable than she did in that moment. Her instincts were telling her to fight…to resist…but she couldn't. All she could do was stand, wide-eyed and breathless, and watch Daryl's face.

The hunter thought he knew what he was doing. He had a plan… he was going to pull her arms down and then he was going to touch her…but once her body was visible, Daryl froze. His lips parted slightly as his eyes drank her in. He tried to remind himself that this was Carol…he knew her…but as he stared, Daryl felt like another woman was standing in front of him. After several seconds, the hunter realized that he wasn't staring…he was admiring her, memorizing her…

As hazy, orange light was reflected off the surface of the lake, Daryl could've sworn that Carol's breasts were glowing. The two soft swells were perfect and he knew, just by looking at them, that they would fill his hands. He loved the shape, the size…the dusty pink color of her nipples. Daryl kept a groan locked in his chest. He'd forgotten how incredible women were…the endless patterns of curves and slopes, dips and valleys. His eyes roamed back to her neck…the well of her throat…he made a mental note to taste her there. He studied her beautiful breasts again and felt his breathing pick up. Daryl found it difficult to believe that she'd been hiding such an amazing body under her clothes all along. His heart was hammering in his chest, but he wasn't done admiring her. She had a small waist and cute hips with just enough meat on her frame. He eyed her flat, sexy stomach and smirked at her belly button. Everything about her turned him on, and he didn't know where to start.

"Fuck…" he breathed, not realizing he'd spoken the word aloud. His blue eyes were locked on her chest again.

Carol swallowed hard. "Daryl?"

The hunter was chewing his bottom lip and doing everything in his power to keep from grabbing her. He still held her wrists, but his grip was beginning to loosen.

"Daryl?" she said again, hoping to pull him from his trance.

Blinking, he lifted his chin and finally met her gaze. "I'm sorry," he growled under his breath. "I jus…I wanted to see ya."

Carol pulled a deep breath into her lungs and Daryl watched the way her chest rose and fell with the effort. She could feel his eyes on her skin.

The hunter wore a look of amazement as he studied his partner. "How…how long ya been hidin' all this?" he asked.

She blushed and averted her eyes. "All what?"

Daryl huffed and released one of her wrists. Once his hand was free, he ran it down, along her side, following the line of her body….he stopped when he reached her thigh.

"All this." he growled softly.

Carol's heart skipped a beat. "I guess as long as you've been hiding all that." she said, glancing at his slick chest before returning her attention to his face.

He snorted and cast a quick glance down at his own body. "This ain't nothin'. But this…" he let her other wrist go and moved both of his hands to her hips. "This here's fuckin'…" he shook his head slowly, searching for the right words. "It's…godammitt." He used his grip to pull her towards him and he caught her mouth with his.

They both groaned when their bodies collided. Carol's hands went to his face, holding him as he kissed her. Daryl's fingers were curling around her hips. Her sex was pressed against his arousal, but that wasn't enough to distract them. His lips were wet, eager, and Carol opened up for him willingly. She moaned when his tongue slipped inside. Daryl bucked his hips, loving the sounds she was making, and Carol's hands slid to his neck, clawing him. He pushed his tongue further into her mouth, tasting her, exploring…and she reacted in kind…nipping at his lips, flicking her tongue against his, panting…whining…

"Daryl…" she pleaded between kisses.

"What?" he asked, suddenly breathless. He didn't wait for an answer, he simply kissed her harder…his cock jerking as his tongue sank into her mouth.

"I need…" she gasped; he was sucking on her bottom lip.

"Tell me." he growled, bucking his hips again.

She was moaning into their kisses. "I need to feel your hands on me."

Their eyes were closed as they tasted one another. Daryl didn't waste a single second; his calloused hands moved to her ass and he gripped her hard, pressing her body against his. "Shit…" he snarled.

"Fuck…" she whined, pushing her hips into his.

Daryl could feel her sex smothering his manhood. The friction was intense and before he could even process it, she was sucking his tongue…his cock jerked and leaked under the water and a deep crease formed in his brow.

"Hang on…" he breathed. "Stop."

Carol flicked her tongue against his one more time before pulling back. "What?"

"It's too much." he admitted, his breathing had grown ragged.

"You…you wanna stop?" she asked, her fingers lightly clawing his neck.

Daryl gripped her ass hard. "Naw. Just need to slow down." he growled.

"Why's that?" she whispered, her teeth catching his bottom lip and pulling.

The hunter couldn't stop his hips from bucking again. "Fuck…" he snarled.

"Tell me." she said before kissing him.

He was so hard, and the sweet pressure of her lips on his mouth wasn't helping. He slid his tongue under hers for half a heartbeat, and savored her taste. His fingers were digging into the soft flesh of her ass. When they finally broke the connection, Daryl was more frustrated than he'd ever been in his life. His eyes were locked on hers and he could feel her sex against his cock.

"Need to slow down…" he admitted. "Or I'm gonna come."

Carol shuddered as a stabbing pain hit her core. There was something incredibly sexy about hearing Daryl say those words. "I don't know if I can wait…" she breathed.

Mastering himself, the hunter cleared his throat and gently pushed Carol back. She was panting as she waited for his next move.

"Jus…stand still for a minute. Alright?" His groin was throbbing but he knew he needed to pace himself.

Carol managed a small nod.

Daryl's hands were still covered in lather. Slowly, carefully, he reached for her breasts. Both survivors seemed to whimper when he finally made contact. Carol's hands went to his wrists, keeping him in place. "God…" she groaned. "Don't stop."

The hunter's narrowed blue eyes were locked on his work. He squeezed her breasts gently, loving the way the softness filled his hands…her nipples biting into his palms. Carol slammed her eyes shut as she tried to process what she was feeling. Daryl was sure, as he massaged her chest, that nothing had ever felt better. He squeezed her again; she was slick in his grasp…the lather allowed his hands to glide over her skin…he began moving in circles, caressing her..his thumbs brushing her tight, pink nipples.

Her grip continued to tighten around his wrists as she battled her frustration. "Like that…" she moaned…feeling his broad hands cup her breasts. "Just keep touching me…"

"Fuckin' hell…" he growled, running his hands up and down her soapy chest…overcome by the sensations, Carol was forced to release his wrists. Daryl loved the way her body felt. He let the lust course through him as he memorized her breasts. The flesh was tender, ample…he loved the weight of them in his palms. He loved how sensitive her nipples were. As much as he craved sex, Daryl wasn't sure he'd ever be able to stop playing with her soft, round, perfect breasts. He squeezed a little harder and tugged at her nipples. Carol cried out in pain and pleasure, and the fucking sound was enough to make Daryl's cock throb.

The hunter was mesmerized by her. He let his broad hands explore her body…from her chest, down along her smooth sides, to those hips that he loved grabbing….even lower to her thighs. When he moved back up, Daryl slowed down, savoring her…squeezing as he went. His fingers splayed over her stomach before traveling back to her breasts. But he didn't stop there, he swallowed hard and moved higher…calloused fingertips passing over her collarbones. The entire time, Daryl's chest rose and fell while his lips parted in awe.

Carol's lids were heavy as she watched his face. No one had ever looked at her that way. He seemed strangely fascinated….as if he'd made some incredible discovery. Swallowing hard, she glanced down. The sight of Daryl's strong, tan hands on her body made her walls tighten. When her eyes finally flicked back to her partner's face, a small gasp escaped her. They were holding each other's gazes. He was so intently focused on her and she didn't know what to say…what to do. She was having trouble forming rational thoughts.

The hunter's feral, ocean-colored eyes were narrowed in concentration…Carol swore that she could feel them cutting into her. From the moment Daryl first touched her breasts, he realized that there was so much more to Carol than he'd ever realized. The longer he let his hands linger on her skin, the more he wanted to know about her. Daryl wanted to uncover all her secrets… …everything she'd been hiding from him. Exhaling slowly through his nose, and doing his best to remain relatively calm, he continued to massage one of her breasts…the pad of his thumb brushing her nipple over and over. His other hand began to slide down the front of her body. He moved slowly, loving how slick she was beneath his palm. The hunter traveled down from her chest, to her tight stomach, and then his fingers dipped below the water. Before she could stop him, Daryl cupped her sex.

She whined, her teeth sinking quickly into her bottom lip. Needing something to hold onto, she reached for his strong shoulders and clung to him…her nails digging into his damp skin. Daryl's cock throbbed and he growled at the sudden pain. He noticed that Carol's eyes were slammed shut, and it only added to his sense of power. As his breathing picked up, he started to toy with her under the water. He kept a growl locked deep in his chest and focused on what he was feeling. Carol's sex was hidden by soft curls, and he explored her…gently, cautiously. His fingertips were seeking their goal…he knew he had to focus. As he moved his hand, Carol clung fiercely to his shoulders and muttered curses under her breath. Daryl continued to touch her until he found what he'd been searching for. His lips parted, and his heart rate sped up, once he discovered the small, aching, nub of her sex. Desperate to get a reaction out of her, he began circling her clit with the tip of his middle finger.

"Oh fuck…" she groaned.

"Ya like that?" he breathed.

"God…yes…"

Daryl felt his cock get harder. He licked his lips and continued to play with her. He was rubbing her clit in a steady, rhythmic pattern…teasing her, torturing both of them. The sensations were getting to be too much for him and his own eyes slammed shut. With one hand on her breast, and the other between her legs, Daryl whined. She felt so good…everything about her. The hunter picked up the pace, circling her clit faster…he was quickly discovering that he loved her pussy as much as her breasts…and he hadn't even gotten inside her yet. Daryl just liked touching it…knowing that it was driving her crazy…giving her pleasure.

"Aw fuck…" he growled, feeling her clit throb under his touch.

All Carol could do was tremble and moan.

"I want ya to come," he breathed, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

Carol's blue eyes flew open and she managed to move her hands from his shoulders to the sides of his face. She held him in place, forcing him to look at her. "I…" she tried to speak, but it was difficult. All she could think about were the incredible things he was doing to her body…each time his calloused finger rubbed her clit, the stabbing pain in her core grew worse.

"I…" her breathing was shallow.

"What?" he growled softly. "Tell me."

"I want you inside me…" she pleaded, her hips bucking weakly against his hand.

Daryl's narrowed eyes were trained on her face. "Alright." he growled, the sound was low…his voice thick with need. In one smooth motion, the hunter moved both hands to her ass and pulled her body tight against his. Her arms wound around his neck and they both shuddered as their lips met.

The kisses were wet, hungry…urgent, and the survivors couldn't seem to get enough of one another. He sucked her tongue and she caressed his neck…her fingers clawing at the ends of his wet hair every few seconds. Their hearts were beating strong and steady in their chests, and they never wanted to stop.

As amazing as it was to kiss him, Carol knew they both needed more. His warm tongue slid past hers and she groaned. "Daryl…" she whined between heated kisses.

"I know," he muttered against her lips.

The terrible emptiness in her core was driving Carol to her breaking point. Doing her best to stay balanced, she began moving backwards, out of the lake. Daryl didn't want them to break the connection; he continued to kiss her as he followed…letting her lead him back to the bank. As they moved clumsily out of the lake, nervousness got the best of Carol and she couldn't stop the sudden laugh that burst from her lips.

Daryl grinned. "What?" he asked between kisses.

"Nothing…I just…" she paused to kiss the corner of his mouth. "This is really happening…"

"It is." he nipped at her bottom lip. They could feel the mud beneath their toes and knew they were getting closer to the bank. Daryl was too lost in their kisses to even notice that the water level was dipping below his waist…more and more of their skin was being revealed with each passing second.

"We're doing this." she said the words, hoping to convince herself.

Daryl smirked as he kissed the point of her jaw, just below her ear. "We are." he agreed.

After a few more shaky steps…the survivors seemed to realize that the water was down to their ankles… They stopped kissing, and eased apart. Afraid to look down, they kept their eyes on each other's faces. Beads of water rolled silently down their bodies, and their toes curled anxiously in the mud. Several seconds passed before someone was brave enough to break the silence.

"So…we lookin'?" Daryl asked. He gnawed his bottom lip as he waited for an answer.

Carol stood with one arm draped across her chest. She brought her other hand up and held her knuckle between her teeth. "Are we?" she asked, another small chuckle escaping her as the blush spread on her cheeks.

Daryl's hands went to his hips. "I think we should."

She smirked at him. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

Carol blew out a breath and tried to relax…but it was proving difficult with a naked man in front of her…not just a man…Daryl. And she was finally going to see all of him.

Jesus…

She clasped her hands and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to summon the courage she needed to move forward. "Okay," she sighed, her eyes easing open. "Ready?"

"If you are." he said.

In any other situation, Daryl would've been absolutely petrified. He'd never been comfortable in his own skin, and he normally made every effort to keep people from seeing him in any state of undress…even waiting until all of the prison's other residents had gone to sleep before heading to the showers. He knew that he should be worried…Carol was about to see him…his arousal. But all he could think about was the fact that he was about to see her. His sheer need for the woman in front of him seemed to smother his own fears and insecurities. All that mattered was her.

"Okay…" she said again. "Now?"

Daryl nodded. "Now.

Both survivors took cleansing breaths before finally allowing their gazes to drop…the instant they let themselves look, Daryl and Carol froze. The hunter's excitement seemed to rise a hundred fold. He'd already admired her breasts, but being able to see all of her…in nothing more than her own skin...made his cock hurt. The swollen tip throbbed and a bead of clear liquid began to form. It had been a long damn time since Daryl laid eyes on a naked woman. He stared at her sex and wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch it.

Carol hugged herself tight because she didn't know what else to do with her hands. Daryl was everything she knew he would be. His hard, lean body was dripping wet…drops of water rolling down his flat stomach, following the trail of dark hair below his navel. And then she saw his need…a sharp pain hit her core and she had to bite her lip. She had no idea how he was going to fit… The hunter was fully erect, his thick shaft pointing at the sky. She could see the veins, straining with an unfulfilled need, and the blunt head looked almost purple. Carol knew, if she hadn't hugged herself, her hand would be wrapped around him. The temptation to reach for him was so strong. She wanted to stroke him again, massage his cock and make him come.

No…

She had to remind herself that there was reason they'd kept themselves at bay.

Sex.

They both wanted it…and the building moisture between her legs told Carol she was ready. There was something incredibly freeing about standing naked beneath an open sky…with someone she truly cared about. As scared as she was to move forward, she knew that the time for hesitation was over. So, taking a deep breath and wringing her hands, Carol returned her attention to his face.

"So…" she said, the nervousness evident in her tone.

Daryl didn't speak, he simply admired her sex for a few more heartbeats, and then slowly lifted his chin to meet her gaze.

"How did you want to…" Carol was having trouble getting the rest of the words out. She bit her lip and waited for him to say something.

The hunter blew out a breath before reaching up to run a hand through his dark hair. "Best quit askin' me what I want." he growled softly, the hint of a smirk forming on his mouth.

Carol hugged herself and blushed. "I'm sorry…I just…I'm not used to…"

"What?" he asked, cutting her off. "Askin' for what ya want?"

She dropped her gaze, unable to look him in the eye anymore.

"Ain't nothin' wrong with it. Ya know that, right?"

But Carol still couldn't face him. She hugged herself tighter.

Daryl stared at her. From her toned legs, all the way up, to her sex, the curves of her hips…higher, to her breasts, and finally to that face she was trying to hide from him. He wanted her, badly, but he needed her to meet him halfway. He wasn't entirely sure how to move forward. Daryl just wanted to know how to please her.

"Carol." he said, stirring her from her thoughts.

She finally managed to lift her chin and meet his gaze.

"Go on 'n tell me what it is ya want."

Carol thought about it for several seconds, her blue eyes locked on his face. "You." she finally breathed. "Just you."

Daryl didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure what was taking place between the two of them…but he could sense the increase in tension…the humid air seemed to hum. Beads of water continued to slip quietly from the ends of their hair. The survivors studied one another, each of them waiting for the other to make the first move. Their chests rose and fell as they worked to control their breathing. Standing frozen, at the water's edge, Daryl realized that Carol was the one who initiated their sudden, physical relationship…

She started it…

He gnawed the corner of his bottom lip and figured he might as well be the one to get them past that final hurtle. "Ya want me?" he growled softly.

Carol nodded.

The hunter's eyes narrowed as he took a slow step in her direction. "That's all?" he asked.

"Mhmm." she managed to say; her heart rate seemed to pick up the instant he moved towards her.

Daryl considered her answer before taking another careful step. "Ya don't care how?"

A small crease formed in her brow. "How? I don't under…." but she didn't get to finish.

The hunter closed the gap between them; he was standing directly in front of her. His eyes went to her breasts. "Tellin' me we can do it on the ground?" He growled under his breath and ran a broad hand along the side of her body.

Carol swallowed hard and took a shaky step back; she needed breathing room.

Daryl liked the sudden control he seemed to have over her. "Ya want me on top?" he was advancing as she moved backwards. The hunter had no intention of letting her get away.

The ache in Carol's core was growing worse, and she couldn't handle the way he was talking… those hushed, smoky growls. His voice was driving her crazy but she didn't have the words to tell him. Her mouth had gone dry.

"Ya like it on your knees?" he asked. His lids were heavy as he stared at her chest. "In the dirt?"

She continued to back away, but Daryl was relentless. He wouldn't stop advancing. Carol couldn't help but to feel as though she was being lead into some sort of trap…one she knew she wouldn't want to escape from.

"We could do it standin' up…" he growled. The hunter glanced at her face and saw her eyes flicker. The signal was subtle, lasting only for a second, but he caught it.

That's it.

Smirking to himself, Daryl moved even closer…forcing her to retreat. "That's what ya want ain't it?"

Carol's heart was thrumming so fast she worried she might faint. In the next instant, a small gasp escaped her. She'd backed up far enough to feel tree bark against her skin. Realizing she had nowhere else to go, she reached back and clung weakly to the trunk, hoping the support would help her stay standing.

Daryl stood in front of her, his eyes drinking her in while his hand traveled lightly along her side. Goosebumps broke out on her skin wherever he touched her. "Ya want it from behind?" he asked. The hunter was too far gone to censor himself. He needed to say exactly what he thought.

Carol could hardly breathe….let alone speak. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip and she looked up into his face with fearful eyes. He seemed to loom over her as they stood beneath the shade of the tree.

He watched her closely, gauging her reactions and searching for any little sign that might clue him in to what she was thinking. Her blue eyes were fixed on his face, silently pleading with him…and the way she was biting her lip told him what he needed to know.

"Naw." he breathed, gripping her hip. "Ya wanna stay like this…ya want me lookin' at ya."

She tried to keep a soft whimper locked in her throat.

Growling, Daryl moved both hands to her hips and began running them up and down, along her sides. He was having fun toying with her, but he still wasn't satisfied. He wanted Carol to speak up. The hunter knew she's spent her entire life suppressing her own needs, and it was time for her to break that cycle. He didn't want her to be ashamed of having sexual urges…fantasies. She should feel safe with him…safe enough to tell him what she really wanted. His eyes flicked to her face and they stared at one another.

Without saying anything, Daryl moved one hand between her legs. She whined but didn't make any moves to stop him. Her nails were still digging into the trunk of the tree at her back. The hunter was careful as he let his middle finger slide inward. Carol slammed her eyes shut and hissed. Daryl had to focus to keep from coming. The heat of her sex was so enticing. He was tempted to linger there…exploring…teasing, but he knew he couldn't. There was no time. He slowly let his fingertip trail along her slickness, back and forth…gently familiarizing himself.

"God…" Carol whined, her knuckles turning white as she clung to the tree.

"Get them legs open." he urged.

Every cell in her body was rioting but she managed to part her legs, just slightly. Daryl smirked at the obedience.

She wants it.

With the added room, it became easier to explore her pussy. He stared down at her sex while his fingertip slid from her clit, down along her lips, further, passing over her slit…and then back again. He repeated the motion a few times, paying close attention to the different parts of her sex. He felt his breath catch when he finally discovered the source of the wetness between her legs.

Right there.

With the tip of his tongue resting between his lips, and his eyes narrowed in concentration, Daryl pressed against her entrance. She whined again, her hips bucking down into his hand. Knowing that he'd found her spot, Daryl braced himself and pushed his middle finger up into her heat. He felt it slide in suddenly, the moisture from her arousal easing the way, and Carol cried out. Her hands went to his shoulders and she dug her nails in with painful intensity.

Daryl hissed, but didn't stop her. If she needed something to hold on to, he was happy to help. So he let the pain spur him on. Her insides were so warm and slick around him…he wanted to give her time to adjust, but he couldn't wait. Letting his forehead rest against hers, the hunter continued to stare down at her core while his finger moved. He pushed it in a little deeper and felt her clench around him.

"Jesus…" she whimpered.

But Daryl didn't stop. He simply grunted while he worked his finger in and out of her sex. Back and forth, he pushed and pulled…loving the way she felt. "Ya like that?" he breathed.

Carol clawed at his shoulders and moaned. "Mhmm."

He smirked. "Good. I ain't gonna stop 'till ya come." He pushed his middle finger up into her heat.

Carol bucked down in response, wanting him to go deeper. But his words began to echo in her head…

No.

They'd come so far. Carol wasn't about to let herself climax…not unless his length was buried inside her. As good as his finger felt between her legs, she needed more from him. She'd waited long enough, and she just wanted to collide with him.

"D…Daryl…" she groaned.

"What?" he growled, curling his finger inside her. Her muscles clenched around him again.

"S…s…stop…I…" but she couldn't keep her hips from bucking down against the invading hardness of his finger.

"Ain't this what ya want?" he asked, his finger still slipping in and out of her heat.

"N..no…" she gasped.

Daryl kept teasing her. "Naw? Then ya best tell me what ya want 'fore I make your ass come."

Carol couldn't believe the way he was talking to her, but she knew he was right. He was pushing her closer and closer to the edge. It felt so good, but she needed more. "I want you…" she whined.

"Tell me." he growled.

She was fighting to breathe. "I want you…" her hips bucked again.

"Best tell me woman." He grunted before forcing his finger deep into her sex.

Carol couldn't fight it anymore. She was dragging her nails down from his shoulders, to his chest, leaving red lines on his skin. "I want you to fuck me." she moaned.

Finally satisfied with her answer, Daryl slipped his finger out of her heat and gripped her hips instead. "Alright then." he growled.

Carol's eyes fluttered open and they stared at one another. He bent down slightly…just enough to get his hands around the backs of her thighs. Carol's arms circled his neck and they nodded to each other, signaling that they were ready. Grunting, Daryl gripped her hard and lifted her. She gasped, her legs immediately locking around his waist. He leaned into her, pinning her against the tree, and they spent several seconds panting against each other's lips as their bodies adjusted.

Daryl closed his eyes, and let himself breathe her in. His arousal was smothered between them, but that didn't matter. He was finally close to her...she was wrapped around him. He could feel her fingers playing with the ends of his hair. The hunter nuzzled her temple and made a low humming noise.

The unexpected tenderness made Carol's breath catch. She couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face. "You okay?" she whispered.

Daryl ducked his head and kissed the side of her neck. "I'm good."

"I still can't believe we're doing this…" she breathed.

"Believe it." he growled softly before catching her mouth with his.

They kissed like lovers….like they were hungry for one another. She tugged at the ends of his hair and felt him buck against her. She whimpered, but didn't stop kissing him. With their eyes closed and their hearts pounding, the survivors focused on what they were feeling.

He let her in, and she teased him…her tongue caressing his. He kissed her harder, nipping at her bottom lip. Her hips rocked against him and the friction made him shiver. They continued to taste one another…exploring, licking and biting. Each time his tongue sank into her mouth, Carol's walls tightened. She'd never been kissed so much, and the sensation was quickly becoming addictive. She clawed at his neck while his tongue slipped under hers. He was so warm and wet in her mouth, and she loved his taste.

Without breaking their connection, Daryl moved one hand from her thigh…all the way to the back of her knee. With a firm grip, he pried her leg away from his waist and hoisted it up, opening her core.

Carol gasped against his lips. With his fingers curled around the back of her knee, Daryl held her open. She still had one long leg locked around him and she used it to keep herself secure as he reached down with his other hand and gripped his cock. His tongue was still stroking hers, over and over, as he angled his hips. Carol was getting nervous; she knew what was coming and she wasn't sure her body could handle it…but her need was too strong. So she focused on Daryl's amazing mouth…his lips, his taste…

The hunter knew, just from having his finger inside her, that their union was going to be difficult. But they wanted each other, and they were both too riled to stop. Her tongue flicked against his, and it was all the encouragement Daryl needed.

Fuck it…

With his heart pounding, and sweat mingling with water at his temples, Daryl held the tip of his member at her entrance and began to apply pressure. A deep crease formed in Carol's brow and she started to whine into their kisses. Daryl was pressing harder, but he still seemed to be holding back. Carol wasn't the only one battling nerves.

"Do it." Carol groaned against his lips. "Please."

Panting, the hunter held himself in place and jerked his strong hips. A violent shudder moved through his frame when he felt the blunt head of his cock dip inside her…the tip finally breaching her tight ring of muscles. Carol cried out in pain and dug her nails into him fiercely. Their eyes were slammed shut…their mouths open as they struggled to process what they were feeling. Carefully, Daryl guided her leg back into place and she wrapped it around him, wincing at the added pain. Knowing that they couldn't stop, Daryl continued to thrust weakly between her legs.

Carol knew that the only way to combat the discomfort was to move. Bracing herself, she rocked her hips…bucking down into him as he pushed up. She could feel his cock penetrating her…the thick shaft slipping in little by little. She was grunting each time she bucked, and Daryl was stretching her.

Needing an outlet, the hunter ducked his head and bit into her shoulder while his hips jerked. He was pushing himself, wanting to go deeper. But Carol's pussy was so impossibly tight around him, and the tension in her walls made him want to come. With her flesh between his teeth, Daryl forced his swollen cock into her core. She bucked down and he thrust up. They worked together…the motion of their bodies helping Daryl to get inside. As his shaft disappeared between her legs, the hunter growled at the wetness. With each thrust, he felt more slickness surrounding his member. As tight as she was, Daryl couldn't help but to think that her body was craving the contact…the way those muscles in her core constricted around him…

The air had been taken from Carol's lungs. She couldn't speak…she couldn't scream. All she could do was claw at his shoulders and try to open her walls. But he was so big…he'd only managed to push half of his cock into her sex. Carol wanted all of him…everything he could give her. So she rocked her hips against the invading hardness, welcoming him. The more she moved, the wetter she seemed to become. As the moisture continued to build between her legs, she felt Daryl's manhood sinking in deeper.

That's what he needs…

Half-crazed with want, Carol bucked down against his shaft. "Come on…" she moaned…the sound was strained and desperate. Her eyes were still slammed shut.

"I'm tryin'." he breathed before biting her shoulder again.

"I just wanna feel you," she whined. "All of you…"

"Christ!" He growled, thrusting a little harder. He felt himself slipping into her.

"That's it…" she gasped.

As their bodies worked towards the same goal, Carol could feel gravity lending itself to their union. Her body was gradually sinking down around Daryl's hard-on…coating the rigid shaft in her slickness. Inch by inch, the hunter pushed his cock up into her core. Her body seemed to open…her walls widening to accommodate him. His heart rate sped up as he slipped into her, deeper…deeper, until her pussy was flush with his pelvis. His dick was finally buried inside her and he snarled against her shoulder, his hands moving to grip the undersides of her thighs.

Carol's mouth was open in a silent scream…her trembling legs wrapped securely around his waist. His thick member was filling her core…stretching her. She could feel the blunt tip already teasing her cervix. It was too much…and not enough.

"God Daryl…" she moaned.

The hunter was throbbing inside her.

She bucked against him. "Fuck me."

Easing back, Daryl stared hard at her face. She must've felt him watching her, because her eyes fluttered open in the next few seconds. "Please." she breathed.

The hunter didn't speak, he simply jerked his hips, testing her.

"God…" she cried out.

Daryl had to bite his lip. It felt so good to be inside her…all that warm, wet, softness wrapped around him. Tightening his grip on her thighs, he thrust again….his cock hitting the top of her.

She bucked, countering his movements, while her ring of muscles tensed around the base of his manhood. "Like that!" she moaned.

"Sonofabitch." he muttered against her lips.

Carol clawed his neck and kissed him hard. They moaned together, savoring everything that was happening between them. The survivors were still adjusting to the feeling of being physically connected, but they couldn't stop their bodies from moving. Carol locked her ankles just above his ass and rocked her hips again. Her tongue slid past his and she felt him twitch inside her. Daryl gave her a sudden thrust that made them both gasp.

Carol could feel the bark pressing into her back, but it didn't matter. All she cared about was Daryl's hard, lean body…and the swollen member that was filling her core. His fingers were pressing into the meat of her thighs and she could already feel bruises forming. Catching his bottom lip between her teeth, Carol tugged gently. When she released him, they both opened their eyes again.

"More." she breathed, her lids heavy with lust.

"More," he agreed, licking the sore spot on his lip.

Winding her arms around his neck, Carol braced herself for what was coming. Daryl exhaled through his nose before jerking his strong hips. Carol hissed, but he took the sound as a compliment. Filled with confidence and reckless desire, the hunter pulled back and pushed in, creating a steady rhythm inside her. The sensation made him shiver.

He loved sliding into her center, feeling the smooth walls rub his aching shaft. Her pussy clenched around him every time, but it didn't slow his pace. Carol was incredibly responsive. Her body rocked against his whenever he forced himself inside her heat, and she was so wet…coating him…

"Yeah…" she groaned, feeling him push in.

"Damn…" he growled, thrusting harder. It had been so long since Daryl had sex, but he knew he'd never experienced the things that he was feeling with Carol. Her core continued to tighten around him, and the heels of her feet were pressing into his tailbone, forcing him to go deeper. He slid back and forth through Carol's insides, pleasuring her as best he could. "Ya like that?" he managed to ask between thrusts.

She hardly heard him over the blood rushing in her ears. All Carol knew was that his long, stiff cock was buried in her sex and she wanted him to go harder. The strong muscles in her core were gripping him, squeezing…and her hips responded to his movements, meeting him stroke for stroke. As he moved between her legs…his length sinking all the way into her heat, over and over….Carol bit her bottom lip and savored every second. It was easily the best thing she'd ever felt.

Daryl could feel the slick evidence of her arousal all over his member…and the way her pussy clenched around him…he knew she was enjoying herself, but he still wanted to hear her say it. His calloused hands moved from the backs of her thighs, to her firm ass, and she whimpered. He bit the side of her neck and bucked hard, forcing his erection into the deepest part of her sex.

"Jesus!" she cried.

The hunter smirked against her skin. "Ya like that?" he asked again. His pace didn't slow.

"Fuck…yes…" she moaned.

Daryl swore he could feel the fucking moan straight down in her core…it made his cock harder and he continued to push himself…moving back and forth through her heat. The friction between them was incredible. He loved that he could slip in and pull back with her wetness easing the way…but her passage was still so narrow that the tension in her walls gave him the resistance he needed. He wanted to stay inside her for as long as he could…to savor the feeling of the soft, warm flesh all around him. Her body seemed to fit him like a damn glove and it was driving Daryl crazy.

Carol fought to breathe as she clung to his neck. Her heels were pressing into his ass, urging him to fuck her. "Oh…" she whined. "Oh…harder….please…."

The hunter tightened his grip on her ass and jerked his hips, hitting the top of her.

"Like that!" She cried. Mesmerized by everything he was doing to her, Carol arched her back. She wanted to give him all the room he needed…she wanted to feel as much of him as she possibly could. The rough bark was biting into her shoulder blades, but she didn't care. The pleasure between her legs was too strong…it eclipsed everything else.

When her body arched into his, Daryl moaned. He felt his dick slip in a little deeper as the angle of her hips changed. "Christ." he growled. The hunter picked up the pace and began thrusting harder…his pelvis colliding with her pussy again and again. His hips were pounding into her, pinning her body to the tree.

The pleasure was making Carol dizzy. Unable to stop herself, she moved her hands into his hair and tugged sharply, bringing their mouths together. They both groaned when their lips met, but Daryl never lost his momentum. Hungry for her, he pushed his tongue inside and felt her walls clench around him.

Carol couldn't handle it. It was too good. She felt as though every sexual urge she'd ever had was being satisfied…with a vengeance. The muscles in her legs were trembling as she fought to maintain a grip on Daryl's waist. His rhythm was so strong, that each jerk of his hips made her thighs quiver. She was convinced that any second, she'd lose the strength she needed to hold onto him… With his warm tongue exploring her mouth, and his hard cock in her core, Carol felt waves of pleasure rushing through every inch of her body…it was almost too much. Her toes were curling, her heart was pounding violently against her ribs, and she realized that she was on the brink of orgasm.

No…

Carol wasn't ready. They'd only just started, and she didn't want it to end. Not that she had complete control over any of it…Daryl was thrusting steadily into her core, his hard-on pushing in deeper each time. The way his thick shaft rubbed her walls was making her weak, and she knew he was hitting all the right spots. It wouldn't be long…all he had to do was keep going…a little harder, a little faster, and she would come…

No…not yet…

Wanting to make it last, Carol pulled her mouth from his, breaking the connection. "W…w…wait…" she stammered as his cock slid in again.

But Daryl didn't listen. He was lost in the heat between her legs. Growling, he continued to pump his hips.

Carol's eyes slammed shut as her head went back. Her body was still arching and her mouth was open in another silent scream as he took her. His swollen member was filling her center, keeping her open…she could feel him throbbing within her walls…stretching her with every thrust. "Daryl!" she cried out.

"Yeah?" he growled, his dick sliding back and forth through her wetness.

"Fuck," she breathed, raking her nails down from his shoulders to his chest.

The hunter squeezed her ass as he forced himself into her pussy again.

"Daryl….wait….please…" Carol whined…the muscles in her core were wrapped around him, caressing the rigid flesh.

He continued to thrust between her legs, grunts and groans escaping him as he moved. She felt so good. Her tight pussy opening just enough to let his member in each time he jerked his hips. He loved the tension, the slickness, the warmth…all of it…the way her ass felt in his hands…how her core was pressed against his pelvis…her scent…the sounds she was making as he fucked her…everything seemed to heighten Daryl's arousal and he could feel his cock growing inside her.

Carol gasped, her eyes opening suddenly. She didn't understand how he could get longer…thicker, but he was filling her completely and her body could barely contain him. "Daryl!" she cried, clawing his chest again.

"Fuck!" he growled, his pace increasing.

"N…no…stop…" she pleaded.

The hunter was breathing hard…locks of damp hair hung in his face. But his eyes eased open and he stared at his partner. Their hips continued to rock. "What?" he panted.

Carol swallowed hard as her body bucked down into him on instinct. "I…I just…need…to….slow…down." She got the words out between thrusts.

Daryl huffed and shook the hair out of his face. "Why?"

Her arms wound around his neck and she licked her lips. "Because…I'm….gonna….come." she nearly choked on the last word…his cock was still pushing into her sex.

He smirked at her, his hips still jerking. "Ain't that the point?"

She bucked against the invading hardness of his dick and whined.

Daryl massaged her ass. "You don't want me to slow down."

"No…" she insisted. "I do…it's just….god!" His hard-on was slipping right into her center.

Daryl liked watching her struggle.

"Please…" her tongue darted out over her lips as she tried to breathe. "Slower…"

The hunter's eyes narrowed in skepticism as he bucked.

"It's just…" she shook her head, trying to get the words out. "it's so….fucking…good…" her body tensed around him as he pushed in.

He felt himself throb inside her. "Go on 'n come then."

"N…no." Carol's hands were splaying on his slick chest. "I want it….to last…" but even as the words left her lips she was arching into him, taking his cock.

Daryl countered her movements, thrusting hard and deep. "Tellin me'….ya wanna drag it out?"

Carol enjoyed the feeling of his erection inside her. "Yes." she moaned, her legs tightening around his waist.

"Fine…" he growled under his breath. With more self control than he'd ever used in his life, Daryl slowed his pace. He released a heavy sigh and slammed his eyes shut as he waited for his heart to stop pounding. Taking a moment to lean his forehead against Carol's, the hunter focused on the delicious heat that was still wrapped around him.

Carol's hands moved up, until her damp palms were pressed to the sides of his face. She held him, and listened to the sound of his strained breathing. "Keep going." she whispered, her body aching for release. "Just….slower."

Daryl didn't speak, he simply pulled back before pushing in. The motion wasn't urgent, or sharp. Instead, the hunter began thrusting weakly between her legs. He controlled the pace, making sure not to move too fast. He still wanted to get inside…to the very center of her core. Taking slow, measured breaths, Daryl sank into her…his long shaft disappearing inside her. He ground his hips into hers, sending his manhood up into her sex.

Carol's eyes fluttered closed and she stroked the shocks of hair near his temples. "Like that…" she sighed. "Just like that…" She rocked against him, loving him. He was still going deep…pushing every solid inch of his cock into her core…hitting the top and making her weak, but the urgency was gone. Daryl created a smooth, slow, rolling rhythm between their bodies. His broad hands traveled back and forth from her ass, to her thighs, squeezing tenderly.

Each time he moved, the hunter slipped his entire shaft into Carol's slick pussy. He shuddered when he felt it go in…rubbing her walls and making her tighten around him. She was so warm…and her muscles were massaging the length of his shaft…like her body craved him. The wetness inside her made him growl…it surrounded him, allowing his cock to sink in even deeper. And then, whenever he needed to pull back, he could move smoothly through her core…the moisture gliding against the underside of his cock until he was ready to push back in. Taking his time, and enjoying the woman in his arms, Daryl let their pleasure build.

Even at a slower pace, the friction between them was intense. Carol trembled each time he slid inside her. She rocked gently against him, taking his cock as he bucked. Unable to stop herself, she nuzzled his brow and sighed in ecstasy. "God Daryl….you feel so good…"

Daryl responded by brushing her cheek with his own. "You feel better." he insisted, the words coming out as soft growls.

She smiled and bit her lip as he moved through her core. "Sex feels good."

He smirked and kissed the point of her jaw. "Don't it?"

"Fuck yes…." she sighed again, her hips meeting him each time her thrust. "I just…" Carol swallowed hard, trying to collect herself. "I never knew….that it could feel like this…"

Daryl sank firmly into her heat and nuzzled her temple. "Me neither."

Carol shuddered but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. It wasn't just the physical sensations that were causing genuine happiness to bubble inside her…it was the relationship she and Daryl shared…the chemistry. Being able to talk and tease each other…the fact that he was listening and following her instructions…it was all making her lightheaded.

"It's so good." she whispered.

It was the hunter's turn to smile. "Ya keep sayin' that…"

She bit the corner of her lip and rocked with him. "That's because I keep thinking it."

"How 'bout…" He bucked just a little harder, making her gasp.

"What?" she moaned softly, opening her walls to let him in.

"Ya tell me," he paused to push his hips into hers. "What it is that ya like so much?"

Carol's eyes were closed as she held his face in her hands and kissed him. His member twitched inside her. She lingered on his mouth, applying gentle pressure for several seconds. When she eased back, they stared dreamily at one another…their bodies still working in perfect sync.

She blushed and wound her arms around his neck again. Her fingers playing with the ends of his damp hair. For a moment, Carol wasn't sure where to start. She loved everything about what they were doing…and if she was being completely honest with herself…she loved everything about Daryl. "I…" she tensed when his cocked slipped into her core. "I like that you listened."

The hunter's forehead was resting against hers while his hips moved between her legs. "I'm tryin'." he growled softly.

Carol grinned, savoring the thickness inside her. "Your turn."

"Hm?" He grunted before pulling back through her core.

Her walls clung to him, not wanting to let him go. "Tell me what you like," she breathed.

Daryl gave her a strong thrust. "I like that ya can shoot." he smirked.

"I like that you can cook." Carol moaned, her hips bucking into him.

The hunter had to chuckle at that. It wasn't the compliment he was expecting, but it was still nice to hear. "Glad that means so much to you." he teased.

She smiled as her body welcomed his cock back in. "it does. Your turn again." she reminded him.

Their pace seemed to be increasing, little by little, and the traction on his dick was making Daryl restless. "I like your ass." he growled, squeezing the firm flesh in his hands.

"I like yours too." she breathed, pressing her heels into him.

Daryl grunted, forcing his cock in further. "Godammitt…I like your fuckin' pussy."

"Yeah?" she moaned, rocking her hips a little harder as he pushed himself inside

"Yeah," he growled under his breath. "fuckin' tight…christ…"

The intensity was building again…he was thrusting harder, his hips colliding with her core.

"I love your cock…" she moaned, before she could stop herself. Her eyes were slammed shut and her nails were digging into his shoulders.

The fact that she used the word 'love,' and not 'like', wasn't lost on Daryl. He started moving faster. "Ya like it?" he breathed.

Carol whimpered and nodded as she rocked with him.

"Ya like havin' it inside ya?"

She couldn't handle the way he was talking to her. Carol continued to arch for him, letting him go as deep as he wanted.

"Best tell me woman." He growled. The hunter bit his bottom lip and slowed his pace again. Working to control the urgency of his hips, Daryl began bucking weakly, only allowing the first few inches of his cock to dip inside her. He could feel her ring of muscles constricting around him.

A deep crease formed in Carol's brow. She didn't understand the change. Her core ached to be filled. She needed to feel his hardness between her legs and buck against it…but he was holding back. She clawed desperately at his shoulders, her toes curling out of frustration. Carol tried to rock her hips and invite him back in, but he refused to let his length sink into her heat.

"Daryl…." she whined, her eyes still closed.

But the hunter maintained his shallow rhythm…the tip of his cock moving in and out of her core…teasing her. "I asked ya a question." he growled, his hands squeezing her ass.

Carol was suffering. She'd never felt so empty. Her chest rose and fell with every strained breath that she pulled into her lungs. "Please…" she groaned.

Daryl ducked his head and nipped at the side of her neck. "Ya like havin' it inside ya?" he asked again, the words coming out as low, rough, growls against her skin.

Sweat was breaking out all over Carol's body and her heart was racing. She couldn't take it anymore… "Yes!" she cried out. "God…yes…please Daryl. I need it!"

The desperation in her voice made him harder. "Tell me what ya need." he snarled before sucking at the crook of her neck.

"Your cock…" she groaned. "Inside me….all of it, please. I need you to fuck me…" She was clawing at his shoulders and panting.

With the hint of a smirk on his face, Daryl tightened his grip on her thighs and bucked hard. The sudden motion sent his manhood back into her pussy…all the way in until he hit the top of her. With her core pressed to his pelvis, the hunter growled. "Fuck…yeah…"

Carol nearly came then and there. It felt so good to be full again…to have him throbbing and pulsing within her walls. She felt every inch of him as he slid inside…the veins, the blunt tip…everything. Her body arched into the thrust so that she could take all of him. They seemed to fit together so perfectly. "Jesus!" she moaned, her head going back to rest against the rough bark of the tree.

The hunter grunted with each jerk of his hips, and he could feel Carol's insides tensing around him. He was buried in her warmth again and never wanted the feeling to go away. As he stood beneath the tree and took his mate, Daryl experienced the most incredible high. They were completely naked, under an open sky. Their bodies glistened with sweat, water, and soap that they hadn't managed to wash off. Slick skin brushed against more slick, shining skin as they rocked together. A red-orange sun was glaring down at them…it's heavy rays of molten light making the world glow. Everything seemed to be on fire…the forest burning with the same heat that the lovers had created for themselves. The hunter had her sex wrapped around him…her scent in his lungs…and he could feel every primal instinct coursing through his frame. He thrust recklessly between her pale legs and felt free.

Carol couldn't think…her mind was going numb with pleasure. Each time Daryl forced his engorged member through her narrow core, her body seemed to suck him in…swallowing him and trapping him inside. She bucked against the stiff shaft, wanting to take as much of it as she could. It began to feel like a drug…something she needed… Dragging her nails down to his chest, Carol fought to breathe. Her lean body rocked with him and they kept their rhythm strong.

His cock was pushing up into the heat between her thighs, making her tremble. He felt her slick walls massaging him over and over…gripping him from the thick base to the swollen tip. Daryl moved inside her, exploring her pussy, loving the way it felt. She was so wonderfully tight and he couldn't get enough.

Carol tried to open wider for him…he was pressing in hard, sinking deep…making her writhe against him. The way he bucked made her legs shake; she was struggling to maintain her grip on his waist. His pace increased…and then he was jerking…sharp, sudden thrusts that made her whine.

"Oh….oh….fuck….yes….Daryl….god!" Her hips were colliding with his.

Daryl growled, his hands moving back to her tender thighs where he gripped her hard. He continued to thrust himself into her pussy.

She was getting wetter by the second, and Daryl's dick was slipping in…rubbing her walls. Carol arched her back, letting him fuck her against the tree. It was like nothing she'd ever felt as his body pounded mercilessly into hers.

"So good….Daryl….Jesus!" she cried out, unable to contain her pleasure. She pressed her heels into his ass again.

"Ya like it?" he yelled at her.

She answered by dragging her nails even further down his slick chest.

The hunter continued his assault on her pussy, sliding himself in to the hilt. He couldn't get over how good she felt wrapped around his manhood. "Ya gonna take that cock?" he growled, thrusting hard.

"Fuck!" she rocked against him. "Yes!" Her hips were grinding into his.

"Christ…." he groaned, his sweaty forehead moving to rest against hers. Daryl wanted to break her. He increased his pace and felt her clench in response. As he moved back and forth, jerking and pulling, the hunter savored the pressure on his cock. "Aw…" he moaned, his eyes slammed shut. "That pussy's fuckin' tight….god….damn."

Carol whined and bucked.

"Jus…jus take it woman….keep takin' that cock…jus like that." He was panting as he took her, dark hair plastered to his skin. He could feel her damp brow pressed against his. His lungs were burning and he wasn't sure how much longer he would last.

Every muscle in Carol's body was aching for release, but she never wanted it to end. It felt too good. His thick, hard-on pushing deep inside her… They were both fighting for air, warm breath mingling in the small space between them.

"I will…." she moaned. "Just don't stop…fuck…." Her walls were closing in around him.

"Ain't stoppin'…" he muttered. "Till ya come."

Carol's hands moved suddenly into his tangled, dark hair and she clutched desperately at the damp locks while he fucked her. With her eyes closed and her trembling legs locked around his strong hips, Carol felt his manhood sliding right into her center. It amplified her pleasure and she let out a broken cry, realizing he'd found her spot.

"Oh," she moaned. "Oh…that's it…"

Daryl jerked inside her. "Tell me woman."

She was biting her lip and winding her fingers in his sweaty hair. "Right there…oh fuck…yes…yea…yea…like that." Carol panted. Her pussy was gripping him each time he pushed in.

Desperate to feel her come, Daryl began throwing the entire lower half of his body into the motion…taking her like an animal. He let her sounds fill his ears.

Carol's body was tensing….her toes curling. The wetness inside her was building and she could hardly breathe. All that mattered was the feeling of Daryl's hard, throbbing cock between her thighs. He was moving faster…his member sliding quickly back and forth through her slick core. She opened her walls and savored the incredible feeling of his cock penetrating her. He was doing all the right things, hitting the right spots…and going so deep that Carol's heart skipped a beat.

"Ohhh, that's it…" she moaned again, her tongue darting out over her lips. "Like that…fuck…oh god…Jesus….Daryl…how….god…just….don't stop…"

The hunter was breathing hard…sweat had broken out all over his body and he was starting to jerk and leak inside her. "Jus keep that pussy open…"

Carol was close to tears. The sensations were so powerful, and the pleasure was unimaginable. But she had to keep going. She arched and rocked her hips, taking whatever he could give her….her nails clawing at his damp hair. He was relentless inside her…thrusting harder every time…

"It's so good…I just…." she groaned. Her passage was getting narrow, the warm, wet flesh surrounding Daryl's rigid shaft. She bucked as he pushed in. "Deeper…please….harder.."

Daryl kept a low growl locked in his chest and squeezed her ass while he thrust.

His thick cock slipped all the way into her sex and Carol screamed. "Oh god!" Her entire body froze…her slick walls crashing suddenly around his invading dick. "That's it!" she gasped. He'd found the source of her tension and Carol needed him to keep pushing. Mastering herself, she resumed rocking against him, bucking her hips faster as she sought deeper penetration.

"I need it," she begged. "Right there….right fucking there…"

Growling at the friction inside her, Daryl continued to pound into her center…hitting the top of her every time. It was harder to push in now that her core was constricting around him, but he forced his erection into her.

"This what ya need?" he snarled, jerking his hips.

A broken cry burst from her lips and she pulled his hair.

Daryl growled under his breath and kept driving himself into her sex. The heat inside her felt so good against his shaft. He was grunting with each thrust, straining to go as deep as he could. The hunter could feel Carol's walls closing in around him and he knew it wouldn't be long. He was going to break her…

With his erection filling her core, Carol clawed at his scalp and whined. "It's so good….so fucking good…please…mmmm…..just fuck me…" She was moving with him, her pussy taking him in…

Daryl swallowed hard and clutched at her ass. The sound of her voice was enough to make his cock drip…but he couldn't stop. He had to keep going. So he bit his lip and thrust hard into her sex. She was writhing against him, and the pressure on his dick was overwhelming. He'd never been with a woman that tight…he knew the friction was going to make him come.

"Christ Carol…" he groaned.

She bucked hard, taking every inch of him.

"Damn…." he pushed in fast and deep, making her body jerk in his grasp.

Carol arched into him, letting his length fill her.

Daryl took the invitation and began thrusting even harder…his pelvis crashing into hers. Bucking steadily into her heat, Daryl started to lose himself…"Aw….shit…Carol…."

"Mmmmm" she whined, tightening her legs around his body. She could tell that he was getting close. His thrusts were becoming frantic and his breathing was ragged.

With his hands gripping her ass, he bucked right into her center…slipping in until he hit the top. "That fuckin' pussy…." he growled. "Jus keep it tight…god…damn…"

Carol's heart was thrumming so fast that it scared her…and the sensations between her legs were making her dizzy. Daryl was a machine…he just kept pushing, and pushing….never losing momentum. She knew it wouldn't be long… His incredible cock was pleasuring her in ways she never thought possible. She could feel the veins on his shaft, pressing against her walls, and the tight, blunt tip teasing her cervix.

Daryl's eyes were slammed shut and he moaned at the wetness inside her…it was coating his manhood, helping him move. He was sliding back and forth, loving the way her hips tilted for him. "Fuckin' come…." he pleaded with her.

Carol's hands formed fists in his hair, and her teeth sank into her bottom lip, pressing in hard. She knew, as the bark bit into her shoulder blades, and Daryl continued to fuck her, that nothing would ever compare to this… She'd never felt more alive than she did with his length pulsing and pounding inside her. It was pure heat…heat she never imaged she'd experience with another person…

All Carol could do was whine and rock with him….harder, faster…her entire body gearing up for release. "Oh…." she groaned. "Oh….Daryl….I'm so close…"

Growling, the hunter squeezed the tender meat of her thighs and slid his hard-on deep into her pussy. "Take it…" he breathed.

Carol's brows knit together and her knuckles turned white as she pulled his hair. With her eyes closed, and her heels pressing into his ass, she felt him hit the deepest part of her core. The air left her lungs…her heart stopped beating, and her entire body locked up around his thick shaft. As her walls crashed around him, Carol felt something breaking deep inside her… "That's it…" she managed to whisper. "That's it…"

Daryl's eyes went wide. Her pussy was clenching around him with startling intensity and he didn't know what to do.

"Don't….stop….." she moaned softly, her fingers still winding in his hair.

Licking his lips, Daryl resumed his efforts. He massaged her ass and began thrusting quickly in and out of her sex…hitting her weak spots over and over.

Each time his cock slipped in, Carol cried out in ecstasy. "Oh….god…Daryl….yes….yes….yes…fuck….oh….oh…yes…I can't….I can't…..I…."

But the words didn't matter. All that mattered was the friction between them. He was pushing up and she was bucking down, her hips moving wildly against him. Carol felt tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She threw her head back, letting her body arch into his, and screamed up at the sky. She couldn't feel his damp hair between her fingers…she couldn't even hear her own scream…all she could hear was the blood rushing in her ears as a violent orgasm rocked her frame. He was buried inside her and she felt a gush of warm wetness between her legs…the slickness coating every inch of him. Her body seized around the rigid flesh, refusing to let it go… Frozen by the crippling pleasure, Carol let him throb inside her while the walls of her pussy trembled. The muscles convulsed rapidly, closing around him, then releasing every few seconds.

He kept pushing in, and the friction made her core spasm. Waves of incredible pleasure rushed through her. She rode them out, moaning and bucking weakly against his shaft. Her toes were curling and her heels were still pressing into him, urging him to go deeper. With every thrust, Carol shuddered. The vibrations in her core intensified…unimaginable satisfaction washed over her and she gave into it. Her pussy clasped and unclasped him in a delicious, rhythmic pattern, as he continued to slide through her. The hunter worked her body, fucking her through her climax…building her pleasure until it was too much and her body went numb.

A bead of sweat fell from the end of Daryl's nose. He was pushing so hard…and her fists were clenching in his hair, making him growl. When he felt her orgasm hit his cock…the slickness washing out around him, he groaned. He'd finally done it…he'd broken her. The knowledge made him dizzy, but he had to keep going. He knew that every jerk of his hips would amplify the things Carol was feeling in her core….and her walls felt so good wrapped around him.

"Fuck," he breathed. "So wet…."

Her arousal was coating his member, and she seemed to get wetter each time he pushed in.

Carol was still caught in the grip of her orgasm. Her lungs were aching as she cried out in ecstasy. Daryl could feel the muscles in her thighs trembling as she fought to maintain her grip on his waist. With his hard-on lost between her thighs, the hunter ducked his head and began sucking the crook of her neck.

The sudden sensation made Carol open her eyes. She clawed at his hair and forced herself to rock against him. The added wetness helped him sink in deeper and they both groaned. He was thrusting faster, sucking harder, and Carol felt her core getting narrow all over again.

Holy shit…

Her body began to tense, and she realized that she was going to hit her peak…again. "D….D….Daryl…" she whined.

But all he could focus on was the warmth between her legs. She was making him throb and he needed to fuck her. Pounding mercilessly into her center, Daryl let the lust course through his frame. It was rushing through his veins, all the way down to his groin, making his cock stiffen inside her. "Christ…" he snarled before biting her neck.

"Come….on" she breathed, her hips grinding into his.

The hunter forced his engorged member through her tight passage and felt her walls caressing every inch of him. She was so slick…so soft, and the motion of her hips was making him weak. He squeezed her thighs and sucked her neck again. "Carol…" he growled against her skin. Beads of sweat slid down his spine as he moved.

He continued to thrust in and out of her heat, letting her moisture ease the way…and Carol could've sworn he was getting harder. "Oh….yes…." she moaned, bucking with him.

Daryl could hardly breathe. Strands of dark, sweaty hair were hanging in his eyes. The muscles in his belly were tensing as he geared up for release. Pumping his hips, Daryl abandoned himself to the friction. His body craved it…he needed it, and he couldn't hold back anymore. With his teeth sinking into her flesh, and her long legs wrapped around him, the hunter gave Carol a strong, deep thrust. He felt his manhood moving smoothly through her sex, and when he hit the top, he let himself come. Daryl's eyes slammed shut, and he snarled into her neck as the orgasm rushed through the length of his cock, making it swell until semen finally shot from the blunt tip. The hunter's mind went numb with pleasure while his shaft throbbed inside her.

Being able to experience Daryl's climax made Carol shudder. She gasped at the feeling of his teeth sinking into her neck. Rocking with him, she worked to coax his pleasure from him. Her quivering walls slammed shut again and she gasped, knowing that he'd given her a second orgasm. The feelings were rioting inside her and she let her walls stroke him while more wetness rushed from deep in her core. His strong member jerked between her legs and she felt him come…the sudden bursts of heat letting her know that he finally let go. She closed her eyes, groaning as his semen filled her pussy. With their trembling bodies locked together, the survivors savored everything they were feeling.

Daryl still had her flesh between his teeth as he gave her a few final thrusts, emptying his seed between her thighs. His cock jerked, spurting several more times as her tight body milked his shaft. Daryl knew he was spent, but he didn't want to stop. Her pussy still felt so good wrapped around him and he loved moving through it. Sighing against her neck, he bucked his hips into hers, moving weakly through her wetness until his cock finally went soft.

Carol's mouth was completely dry and her eyes were dreamy…glazed. She couldn't see straight…but that didn't matter. Her body was humming with a need finally fulfilled and she knew she'd never been more satisfied that she was in that moment. She felt numb…sapped of her energy, and her legs began to unlock. She started to let them slide down from his waist, but Daryl squeezed her thighs, stopping her. A small gasp escaped her, but she was too weak to resist him. "W…what?" she whispered, her voice cracking with the effort.

Daryl sighed, his warm breath hitting the crook of her neck. He used his grip to keep her legs around him. "Nothin'…" he growled softly, his heart still pounding in his chest. "Jus like it…that's all."

Carol swallowed hard. Her walls continued to squeeze and release his manhood…she had no control over it. Unsure of what to say, she focused on the feeling of his body against hers. He was leaning into her, hiding in the crook of her neck…she could feel him panting as he slowly came down from his high. As her own heart rate began to slow, Carol seemed to realize that she was still clutching at his hair…her knuckles were white. Grunting softly, she forced herself to let go. Her stiff fingers gradually uncurled and she began combing them through his hair, stroking the damp locks.

He hummed against her.

The sound made Carol smile and she nuzzled the side of his face. He pulled away from the warmth and safety of her neck and they held each other's gazes. Daryl and Carol couldn't keep the smiles off their faces. As they studied one another, they realized that they both wore the same drugged expression. Their lids were heavy, their vision was blurry, but they were undeniably happy. Carol continued to play with his hair as they stared into each other's eyes.

Not knowing what else to say, she bit her bottom lip and blushed. "Thank you."

Daryl's eyes narrowed, and he hefted her weight in his arms. "Don't go thankin' me," he growled playfully. "That there was a team effort."

Carol loved the feeling of his strong hands on her thighs, and she never wanted him to let go. "That was…" she shook her head slowly, trying to find the right words.

But Daryl didn't let her finish. He closed the small distance between them and kissed her. Their eyes closed as they tasted one another. Their kisses were sweet, and slow. They were gentle...tenderly nipping at each other's lips. When they broke for air, his forehead was resting against hers, and she was caressing the back of his neck.

Her eyes fluttered open and her vision slowly came back into focus. She could see him staring at her. "Hi." she breathed, the smile spreading on her face.

"Hey." he growled softly.

She blushed harder. She was having trouble accepting the fact that they just had sex.

"What?" he asked, noting the color in her cheeks.

Carol shook her head again. "Nothing."

Daryl smirked. "Don't get shy on me now woman."

"I'm not…it's just…that was incredible." She moved her hands to his shoulder blades and clawed them a little.

The sensation made his cock twitch, but he was still too sensitive. As much as he would've liked to take her again…Daryl knew he'd reached his limit for the time being. He massaged the backs of her thighs and kissed the corner of her mouth. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Yeah." she smiled, her insides clenching around him.

"Fuck….ya can't keep doin' that." he growled against her lips.

Carol's hands traveled up and down his back. "No? You seemed to like it a few minutes ago."

"I did…but…."

"But what?" she whispered, the tip of her tongue flicking out to tease his bottom lip.

Daryl whined. "Jus need a minute."

She gave him a quick kiss. "Me too."

Daryl's hands moved back and forth from her thighs to her ass and he smiled into the kiss.

Carol chuckled and they broke the connection. "You seem happy." she said.

"I am." he admitted, blushing a little.

She tightened her grip on his waist. "See? That's the endorphins talking."

Daryl's eyes narrowed and he snorted. "The fuck it is."

She let her hands travel back to his neck. "Fine. then what is it?"

The hunter glanced down at her body before refocusing on her face. "All this."

Carol couldn't keep the color out of her cheeks. "It was good, wasn't it?"

"Good ain't the word for it."

She chuckled at that. "How about….amazing?"

Daryl caught her bottom lip between his teeth and tugged gently. "That's more like it."

Carol groaned. "I never knew it was possible to feel this good."

"No shit." he chuckled, suddenly lightheaded. "That pussy's tight as fuck…"

She gasped at the sudden boldness.

He snorted again. "Don't look at me like that. I ain't tellin' ya nothin' ya don't already know."

Carol smirked, thinking that the orgasm had certainly taken a toll on him. "Maybe it wouldn't seem so tight if you weren't so damn big…" She bit her lip and moved her fingers back into his hair.

Daryl locked eyes with her. "Ya like it?"

She answered with a slow nod.

He smirked at her, wishing he had the strength to go again. "Glad ya had a good time."

"Seems like you had a pretty good time yourself." she said.

"I did." he growled before catching her mouth with his.

Dazed and satisfied, the survivors kissed one another while their bodies continued to throb and glow in the aftermath of orgasm. His hips bucked weakly into hers and he groaned. She still felt so incredible…her body was warm and wet…her walls still trembling…but he was soft. Sighing in defeat, he broke the kiss and held her gaze.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Daryl gripped her ass, loving the firmness of it. "Nothin'. Jus…I was thinkin'…."

"What were you thinking?"

The hunter eyed her. She was smirking at him. "I was thinkin'…" he squeezed her ass again. "That I ain't finished with you."

Carol swallowed hard and caressed the back of his neck. "You're not?"

He shook his head. "Naw."

"Thought you needed a minute."

"I do. Figured we could wash up…'n try this again." Daryl bit his lip as he waited for her to say something.

Carol couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face. "Oh yeah?"

Daryl shrugged. "If you're up for it."

"If I'm up for it…" she echoed softly.

"No pressure." he growled playfully.

Carol smirked, her arms winding around his neck. "Daryl…"

"Hmm?"

"This…was easily, the best sex I've ever had." she admitted.

The hunter's face lit up. "That right?"

She nodded. "So…in the future….you don't ever have to ask if I'm up for another round." She tightened her legs around his waist and rocked her hips gently.

Daryl was still feeling lightheaded. He could barely process what they'd done…and now they were talking about doing it again…she wanted to do it again. The realization made him blink.

Fuck…

"Weren't we going to wash up?" she asked, pulling him from his trance.

He blinked again and nodded. They held each other's gazes as Daryl reached back and gripped her ankles. "Easy." he growled under his breath.

Carol swallowed hard and tried to brace herself.

Moving slowly, the hunter unlocked her legs and began prying them away from his waist. He helped her to ease them down until she was standing on her own two feet. Carol's body was still numb with pleasure; she could barely feel the ground under her toes.

The survivors were still staring at one another. They knew what had to be done, but that didn't mean they were ready for it. With his eyes locked on hers, Daryl exhaled slowly through his nose, and began to pull his cock from her core.

Carol whimpered…her walls didn't want to let him go. The hunter gradually slipped from between her legs, and when their bodies finally separated, they both gasped. "Oh fuck…" she whined, clamping her legs shut. The emptiness was terrible. There was a dull, pounding ache in her center and she felt so weak without her partner.

Daryl staggered as he took a step back. He missed her pressure all around him…being connected to her… It was strange not to have her in his arms anymore. Working to maintain his balance, the hunter refocused on Carol. The tree at her back seemed to be the only thing holding her up. She was gnawing her bottom lip and clinging to the bark behind her. Sensing that she needed help, he moved back into her space. "Ya alright?" he asked.

Carol glanced at him. Even though her legs were closed, she could feel Daryl's semen dripping down the inside of her thighs. "I'm good." she said. "Just not sure how much walking I can do right now."

The hunter knew he should be sympathetic…and he was. But that didn't stop pride from flickering inside him. There was something exciting about knowing that their time together had such an intense effect on her. "Who said ya had to walk?" he asked

She held his gaze, her eyes questioning him.

He bent down, gesturing for Carol to put her arms around him. She reached for his neck and he stooped a little lower, one of his arms slipping under the backs of her knees. With a grunt, Daryl scooped her up. His other arm was supporting her back. She clung to him, feeling absolutely ridiculous, and they stood beneath the tree, chuckling.

"What?" he asked, hefting her weight in his arms.

She sighed, letting her head rest against his chest. "You didn't have to carry me…"

Daryl smirked and began walking back towards the water's edge. "I wanted to."

"I don't need saving."

He glanced down at her. "I know."

She huffed, but the smirk was still on her mouth. Daryl held her a little tighter as he walked into the lake. He smiled down at her, and she blushed, holding his gaze. Dizzy with happiness, the survivors enjoyed the moment…neither of them realizing just how much it meant.

"Yeah…." she breathed, her nails digging into his shoulder blades. Carol's eyes were closed as she groaned and writhed. The muscles in her core were convulsing as she rode out her orgasm.

Daryl's strong hips were pounding into her, making her body jerk with each thrust. He could feel her insides fluttering around him, and knew that his own climax was seconds away. "Fuck!" He snarled. Her legs were wrapped around him and her thighs were shaking.

Carol arched her back and clawed him harder…her moans filling the small tent. The new angle gave Daryl all the room he needed. Gripping her breasts for leverage, he bucked harder and harder…making her scream. He was sliding right into her center…her slick, quivering insides were wrapped around his hard-on, squeezing it…loving it. He began thrusting faster, creating the friction they both needed.

"Yeah…" she moaned again.

"Yeah…." he echoed, his eyes slamming shut while his body collided with hers. The hunter picked up the pace, drilling her pussy. As he dipped in and out of her sex, his grip on her breasts tightened. He took his frustration out on her body, fucking her.

Carol was dragging her nails down his back as she rocked underneath him.

Daryl brushed her nipples roughly with his thumbs. His momentum continued to build between her legs and his breathing had grown ragged. With parted lips, Daryl drove himself into her heat. A deep crease formed in his brow. "Aww…." he started to groan. She felt too good…

"Come on," she pleaded, her body arching up into his.

That was all it took. Daryl thrust rapidly in and out of her pussy and the pleasure rushed forward…along the length of his dick…making him come. "Awww…shit….." he gasped. His manhood stiffened to a painful point before his seed burst from the tip…the sudden gush of warmth coating her walls and filling her core.

The survivors continued to rock together…both of them riding out their orgasms. Daryl's swollen cock was spurting as she bucked underneath him. "God….damn," he growled, thrusting weakly.

Carol kept her legs locked around him as she savored the warmth deep inside her. She loved the way he throbbed and jerked after he came. "We're….getting better," she sighed in ecstasy.

Daryl was fighting for air as he emptied himself inside her. His lungs were burning and he needed to rest. Groaning again, he eased down to lie on her slick chest. Carol smiled, her hands traveling lightly up and down his back. "Fuck…" he breathed, his cheek resting just above her breasts.

"We were only….a few seconds….apart…" she said, as she waited for her own breathing to slow.

The hunter snorted, a faint smile on his lips…his eyes were still closed. "Here….I thought….third time would be the charm…."

Carol chuckled, her insides still gripping his shaft. "I'm telling you….we can do it." She moved one hand into his tangled, sweaty hair and began stroking him.

After a few more seconds, Daryl managed to prop himself up on his elbows. He stared down at her….the sweat shining on her skin…her face flushed with arousal. "That was pretty fuckin' close." he said, smirking at her while he worked to catch his breath.

Carol used her hand to push some of the damp hair back from his brow. "We can do it." she insisted, her heart still thrumming in her chest.

Daryl ducked his head to kiss her and she closed her eyes as their lips met. He hummed and Carol smiled into the kiss. She'd grown to love that sound…the one he only made when he was truly happy…and satisfied. They lay in their tent, tangled together…their warm bodies aching and spent.

After washing up back at the lake, they'd hurried out of the water only to throw each other onto the ground and struggle like animals. When they reached their peaks the second time, they were covered in mud…grass. They'd laughed…delirious with pleasure, and helped each other clean up for the last time. They'd smirked at one another as they pulled on clean clothes, and they'd all but run back through the woods. By the time they stumbled back into camp, the survivors dropped their dirty clothes and Carol pushed him into their tent.

She was convinced that they could climax together…at the exact same moment. Their second time at the lake, they'd been a few minutes apart…but they improved in the tent...Daryl came just a few seconds after her.

As he continued to kiss her, Carol marveled at the changes that had taken place between them. She thought about how scared they'd been when they first began undressing near the lake. But once they let their guards down, the survivors were rewarded with incredible pleasure…and they were loathe to let it go. So they enjoyed one another, hungrily…greedily…forsaking the need for food, water…rest…

Needing air, Daryl finally pulled his mouth from hers and gasped. "Jesus…"

Carol moved her hands to his face. She used her thumbs to stroke the shocks of hair near his temples. "I'm really liking this new hobby of ours." she said, smirking up at him.

Daryl ducked down to let his tongue flick against one of her nipples.

It was her turn to gasp. "Guessing you like it too." she chuckled.

He growled softly, his broad hands massaging her breasts. "Woman…if I could…I'd just keep doin' this till the mornin'."

She bit her lip, savoring the feeling of his calloused hands on her body. "We should've been doing this the whole time."

The hunter snorted in amusement. "And what? Go back to the prison empty-handed?"

"Would that have been so bad?" she chuckled.

Daryl's eyes narrowed and he shook his head slowly, amazed by her sex drive. "Pullin' back through that damn gate with nothin' to show for our time out here? Yeah. I'm thinkin' that woulda been bad."

She laughed and he could feel it in her core.

Daryl smiled at her. "Ain't gonna lie….this here's fuckin' fun."

Carol laughed harder and used one hand to wipe away the tears that were forming at the corners of her eyes. They were lying on an open sleeping bag, their bodies still connected. Carol was trapped beneath his weight, but she didn't mind.

"I'm glad you think so." she sighed happily.

As he admired her breasts, something occurred to him. A slight crease formed in his brow. "Hey." he said.

"What?"

Daryl cleared his throat before speaking. "We're headin' back in the mornin'."

"Yeah…?" She propped herself up a little and held his gaze.

"What happens…when we get there?"

Carol blinked, somewhat surprised by the question. "Uhm….nothing, I guess. I mean…unless you want…" but she wasn't sure how to finish the thought, so she let it trail off while she combed her fingers through Daryl's hair.

The hunter didn't know what to say; he bit his lip and stared at her.

"Look; I meant what I said before. It's nobody's business. This is between you and me." she said.

Daryl studied her face and knew that she was being sincere. "I don't mean that…I meant…" he sighed, wishing that it was easier to voice his thoughts.

"What?" she asked, her hand pressed to his cheek. "You can tell me."

The hunter glanced at her from beneath his lashes. "I meant…once we get back…is that it?"

Carol's brows knit together; she didn't understand.

Daryl felt himself blushing and he had to look away to get the words out. "You still gonna want this…after we get back?"

Her hand moved into his hair and she tugged gently, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Why wouldn't I want it?"

He shrugged.

Carol's expression softened and she smiled at her partner. "Daryl….I'm always going to want this." she whispered.

His blue eyes were trained on her face. "You are?"

She nodded and smiled at him, her fingers combing through his hair. "Yes. Because I want you." Carol leaned into his space and kissed him gently, only lingering on his lips for a few heartbeats.

Daryl blushed harder. "Ain't much privacy at the prison." he growled softly.

Carol sighed, the smile still on her lips. "No…there's not. But if that's important to you…we can figure something out."

Daryl swallowed hard as he realized what an amazing woman Carol was. He didn't deserve to by lying naked with her…connected to her…but he was. Wondering what she could possibly see in him, the hunter used a broad hand to gently push her back down on the sleeping bag. He loomed over her and their lips met. As he kissed her, Daryl let her soft groans fill his ears. He wasn't sure what they were getting themselves into, but he knew it felt right. She wanted him, and he wanted her…at least for the moment…and Daryl intended to savor every second he had with her.

"Is it just me…" she asked, her hands pressing into her lower back to ease the aching muscles. "Or was it twice as hard getting all this crap back out here?" She stood near the truck bed and eyed the contents.

Daryl chuckled as he loaded the last of their things into the bed. "Well…when we took all this shit into the woods…we weren't carryin' them three deer…or any small game."

Carol rolled her eyes and reached up to wipe sweat from her brow. "Smart ass."

The hunter hopped down from the bed and made his way towards her, a smirk on his mouth.

"Daryl…don't." she warned him.

They'd already delayed their progress by an hour. Waking up naked and sweating…tangled together in a sleeping bag, lead to another round. They'd clung to one another, swearing and bucking until they couldn't take it anymore. Carol was worried that if Daryl got too close to her, she'd end up pushing him onto the ground and they'd never make it back to the damn prison.

But Daryl wasn't interested in listening. He advanced until he was standing in front of her. Carol's was leaning against the driver's side door…her back pressed to the metal. "You callin' me a smart ass?" he growled playfully, his hands going to her hips.

She couldn't help herself; she wrapped her arms around his middle, loving the strong muscles she could feel in his back. Daryl squeezed her hips and nuzzled her brow. Carol's hands slowly slid down…into his back pockets. She was smirking at him…clutching at his ass through the fabric of his pants. He ducked his head to kiss her, and she was about to let him…but then she gasped….a crease forming in her brow.

Daryl saw the change in her expression. "What?" he asked.

With narrowed eyes, she dipped her hand down deeper into his back, left pocket. She caught the foil between two of her fingers and slowly pulled it up. Without wasting any time, Carol brought the strange object around so that she could get a good look at it. The morning sun reflected brightly of the metallic wrapper and her lips parted in awe. Daryl's hands fell away from her hips and he brought his thumb to his mouth. As he gnawed the nail, Carol studied her find.

Shaking her head in disbelief, she refocused on Daryl. "You had this the whole time?"

The hunter couldn't look at her.

"Where did you even get this…how...?" But she froze as realization washed over her. "Oh my god…" she breathed, a smirk forming on her mouth. "This is one of Glenn's…isn't it?"

Wishing that he'd remembered to take the goddamn condom out of his pocket…Daryl kicked absently at the ground. "So what if it is?" he growled softly.

Carol shook her head and chuckled. "God…this was your fee…the reason you kept your mouth shut about Glenn's little pharmacy run. He paid you off."

"What? I was supposed to keep quiet outta the kindness of my heart?" he argued.

Carol stared at the condom wrapper before her eyes flicked back to Daryl's face. "No…I get it. It's a fair trade. That part makes sense. What confuses me…" she paused to tap him in the chest with the wrapper. "Is why you brought it out here."

Fuck.

She had him. There was no way out of it. Giving up the fight, Daryl kicked at the ground again. "Fine…alright?" He moved away from her and began pacing. "Maybe…there was a part of me…a small, goddamn part…that figured we'd be out here for a couple days…'n maybe…there might be some slim chance that…"

"That what?" Carol asked, amused. Her arms folded across her chest.

Daryl groaned. "That ya might wanna fill up your time with somethin' other than trackin'. Alright? Figured it was a real slim fuckin' chance, 'n that it wasn't gonna hurt nothin' for me to bring a damn rubber."

Carol couldn't stop the smile from spreading on her face. "So…you've thought about me….like that…before?"

The hunter was getting frustrated. He felt like he'd been caught in one of his own snares. "Maybe I have." he huffed, raising one arm and letting it drop.

"Wow…" said Carol. She bit her lip, not knowing what else to say.

Daryl was embarrassed, and he felt like kicking something…at least until he remembered his own discovery. The one he'd made when he was searching for clean clothes in Carol's bag. The corner of his mouth hitched up into a smirk and he moved back towards her.

"Since we're gettin' all this shit out in the open…how 'bout ya tell me why ya brought that sorry excuse for underwear?"

Carol's brows knit together. "Excuse me?"

Daryl's eyes narrowed as he moved to stand in front of her, his finger jabbing the center of her chest. "Don't play dumb with me. I done seen that thong ya brought out here. All that lace 'n shit."

Carol's temperature was rising…her body was reacting to the fact that he was so close. "You went through my bag?"

"When I was grabbin' clean clothes for ya. But that ain't the point. Why'd ya bring it?" he growled.

She swallowed hard and tried to think of a convincing answer…but Daryl's blue eyes were cutting into her, and she knew she couldn't lie. "Maybe…" she breathed, her hands going to his chest. "I was hoping you'd see me in it."

"That right?" he asked in a hushed growl.

Carol nodded.

"So…ya thought about me…'bout us….before comin' out here?"

"Maybe." she breathed.

Daryl's groin tightened and he grabbed her thighs. Carol reached for his neck and he lifted her. Her back was pressed against the truck, and Daryl was leaning into her, sucking and biting at her neck. Tugging at his hair, Carol wrapped her legs around his waist and felt his arousal. She bucked against him and they both growled at the friction. As they touched, teased and tasted one another, in the mid-morning heat, against the truck, Carol couldn't help but to smile.

When they finally rolled back through the familiar gate, Daryl and Carol could see the relief on their leader's face. Rick finished opening the gate and then jogged to the truck to meet them. Daryl slowed the vehicle to a stop. Some of the other group members were in the yard and began heading over.

Daryl and Carol exchanged glances, each of them hoping the other could keep a straight face. Nodding to one another, they pushed their doors open and hopped down from the cab. Rick pulled Carol into a hug and she winced a little. Her back was sore from her time against the tree. After he released her, the deputy rounded the front of the truck and clapped Daryl on the shoulder.

"It's good to see you both in one piece. Was thinkin' I might have to send a team out today."

"Nah." Daryl said, shaking some of the hair out of his face. "We're good."

Rick stood with his hands on his hips and studied each of them in turn. "Ya'll do alright then?" he asked.

Carol shot Daryl a look and he let himself smirk at her before answering his leader. "Yeah. We cleaned up."

"Yeah?" Rick asked.

The hunter nodded. "Bad ass over there took out two does."

"Really?"

Carol rubbed her arm out of nervousness. "It wasn't anything special. Just good timing…and good aim." she assured him.

"I knew you'd be a good choice." said the deputy.

"And we got a buck in one of our snares…along with some squirrels, possum, rabbit…think we did alright." He glanced at Carol again, the smirk still on his mouth.

"So." said Rick. "Looks like you were right about this trip thing…think you might go back out? If you're okay with it…maybe we can make it a monthly thing?"

Daryl had to bite his lip. All he could think about was being alone with Carol again. "I'm up for it…long as that's alright by you." he eyed Carol.

She cleared her throat and tried to maintain her composure. "Sure. Sounds good."

Rick nodded. "Alright then. We'll start settin' aside time and supplies each month so that…"

But Carol stopped him. "Hey…Rick." she said, trying to keep her voice even.

"Yeah?"

"I was just thinking…" she ran a hand through her mussed hair.

Daryl and Rick were both staring at her.

"Once the weather starts cooling off…game's gonna get scarce. We should probably take advantage of the summer, while the deer are still in the area." she said, hoping that she sounded convincing.

Rick scratched at his jaw and considered the statement. "You sayin'…once a month ain't gonna be enough?" he asked.

Daryl cleared his throat and folded his arms across his chest as he stared at her.

"Yeah." she admitted. "I just think…we did so well this time. Now we're more familiar with the area…bet we can bring in a bigger haul next time. Just don't think we should wait another month before heading back out. I wouldn't want us to have to re-learn the terrain."

Rick continued to rub his jaw. "Alright…if once a month ain't enough…how often were ya thinkin'?"

Daryl found that he was incredibly eager to hear Carol's answer.

She ran her hand through her hair again and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know…" she shook her head before raising an arm and letting it drop to her side. "Maybe every other week? What do you think Daryl?"

The hunter had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. "Sounds alright." he said casually, one hand thrust into his pocket.

"Good." said Rick. He slapped a hand on the hood of the truck. "It's a plan then. Every other week."

As their leader made his way to the tailgate to begin unloading, Daryl and Carol exchanged glances. They stared at each other, smirking a little, and had the same thought.

Every other week…

******************************************************************************It's so long! I know, and I'm sorry! It got away from me…next one will be shorter, I swear! I had fun with the flirty versions of Daryl and Carol though, and hope you did too. What did you like about this chapter, and why did you like it? Please share, the reviews fuel my creative fire : ) So so sorry for the wait, but thank you for hanging in there and reading Hotline. Lookout for more from the haircut series next time ; ) xoxoxo

-Sami