Another short update!
I'm blown away by all the amazing reviews and support; it's mind-boggling and awesome and I want to hugz you allz.
Enjoy; I hope to finish things up soon!
The smoke billowed up from the field across the lake, and as she inhaled her nostrils filled with the horrible smell of burning dead flesh.
Carol wrinkled her nose but did not gag.
She was used to this by now.
They'd piled the dead Walkers on top of each other and set them ablaze, Rick and T-Dog standing nearby to watch the fire and ensure it did not spread to the field itself. Shane, Andrea and Daryl had spread out with weapons in hand, searching the grounds for any signs of additional threats.
Carol could see Shane and Andrea beyond the fire, walking the edge of the woods on either side of the field and making their way back towards the camp.
Daryl, she knew, had probably walked farther into the forest, determined to check as far out as possible.
Carol rubbed her nose and sniffled against the foul odor blowing towards her in the breeze, turning away from the sight to find the rest of the group emerging to resume regular daily life.
The small herd was one of few that had tumbled across their haven, and its sudden appearance shook the nerves of all. But until Rick declared the site unsafe, they would remain.
And Walker attacks were just something they had to deal with.
The wind kissed the slight glisten of sweat on her shoulders and she shivered at the memory of Daryl's breath bearing down on her just an hour before, a pang of heat shooting down her spine and making her head swim. She knew what he'd been doing when he turned on her after killing the Walker; she read the words in his eyes and had been unable to resist a smile despite the terror that shook her.
She knew, too, that he'd crept up against her as she spoke to Mike for a reason. She didn't miss the way Mike's eyes shifted from hers to the man behind her and his worry turned to confusion and then to realization.
She didn't know, however, whether Mike would admit what he'd seen.
And she certainly did not know if Daryl would admit what he felt.
As she headed to the dining cabin to begin setting up for a late lunch, Carol breathed deep to clear her head. She would fret over her strange situation at a later time.
The hardworking men of the group needed full stomachs and she needed something to occupy her thoughts.
Only a few stopped their work to eat.
Carol was not surprised; Rick was not one to take an attack lightly and Shane was certain to bypass food in order to secure the area. T-Dog was with them, and Andrea had come in to snag a can of pears from the farm and dart back out with promises to share with the others.
Lori, Carl, Maggie and Glenn sat at one end of the table and ate in moderate silence, the only noises coming from little Sophie. Dale was still perched on the RV and she had made sure to bring him a plate before settling down herself.
Daryl had not returned from his scouting, and Carol ignored her worry. Rick had assured her that he would begin a search if Daryl did not come back by the end of the hour, and that was enough to force her fears down for the time being.
She made sure to pray just a bit more adamantly, however, before digging into her food.
Mike settled down across from her with his own plate and offered a smile before beginning his meal.
They ate in silence, and Carol did not complain.
She needed time to think, anyway.
He'd offered to help her do dishes, and once again, Carol was surprised at Mike's willingness to help out with the more domestic types of chores.
His unfazed demeanor about it all brought a smile to her lips and she felt her chest tighten.
As they boiled a pot of lake water to rinse with she laid a bold hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you for looking out for me earlier."
The darkening scruff above his lip twitched up as he smiled again, and he nodded in a rather silly gentlemanly fashion.
"Any time." His smile faltered then, eyes losing their spark just slightly as he grew suddenly serious. "But I think you should really be thanking Daryl. He's the one that went all 'Rambo' for you."
He laughed a bit and she along with him, the tightness of her chest loosening at his humor and the positive acknowledgement of the other man in her life.
And she could no longer deny that Daryl Dixon was indeed in her life.
She nodded, mostly to herself, and looked up to meet Mike's eyes.
"I will, when he gets back. Hopefully it'll be soon…." She glanced back towards the forest and drew her bottom lip between her teeth.
A warm hand slid over hers and Carol looked down at Mike's fingers on her wrist.
"I wouldn't worry much; guy seems tough as nails. And I don't think he's gonna let himself get killed. Not when he's got so much to come back to."
Carol swallowed hard and met his gaze again.
In those glistening brown eyes she could see his understanding, the resignation of something he'd wanted and the acceptance of not being able to have it. For a moment she felt the need to apologize, and she didn't even know for what, really.
She squeezed his hand and they got back to work, Carol's nerves settling completely. A small chuckle escaped her.
She wondered if the clarity that suddenly washed over her was what Daryl called 'Zen'.
The water had just cooled enough to use when Dale stood from the top of the RV and peered through the binoculars.
"It's Daryl. He looks okay."
She followed his direction and could see the figure in the distance, just emerging from the wood line. Carol swallowed her relief and reached forward to touch Mike's arm.
"I…I need to go. Could you-?"
"Sure, it's not a problem. Just be careful, 'kay?"
Patting the knife at her side she stood and grinned down at him before turning and setting out towards the lake.
She would intercept Daryl farther out if she could.
They needed to talk.