I wanted to thank you all so much for reviewing, you have no idea how much it means to me. Big thanks again to my lovely beta Jaded79 for going over this well I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 4

Not your problem.

Carol had spent the rest of the day organising their room. When she had walked into the small office she noticed their two cots had been pushed together in the middle of the room. She wondered for a moment if she should push them apart but she decided that if he was happy with their cots being so close together then so was she.

She moved their belongings into the room with the help of Andrea who made a point to smile at Carol when seeing the two cots together. Clearing the cupboards of paper and other junk, she began to fold their clothes placing them neatly inside. Moving to the bathroom, she placed what little hygiene products into the bathroom cupboards, smiling broadly when she opened it to find bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soap and deodorant. She picked up a bottle and brought it to her nose, smiling at the smell of lavender; she was loving this place more and more.

After that she moved to make their bed, grabbing some sheets, blankets and pillows from the laundry room. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face; she knew tonight for the first night in so long she would shower with real soap, wash her hair with real shampoo and spray herself with deodorant and sleep warm and safe in a bed. A fold out bed but still a bed and it definitely topped sleeping on the hard ground.

After setting up their room she moved into the kitchen to find Lori and Maggie already there starting dinner. They had decided to make stew out of the rabbit Daryl and Michonne had caught earlier that day. She moved beside the two women helping prepare everything. Talking and laughing together, they forgot for a moment that the whole world had got to hell and they could even, if only for a small space in time, pretend that everything was okay.

At dinner time the whole group got together to eat, enjoying the rabbit stew with rice. Carol could not wait for the vegetables to start growing so they could use fresh vegetables in the stews instead of canned. After dinner, she surprised everyone with peach and pear pies she had made secretly. They all dug in finishing off the two pies quickly.

They had sat up for some the night, drinking some Bourbon they had found stashed away in one of the office drawers, laughing together and just enjoying each other's company. But at midnight, Carol decided to call it a night. Coming out of the bathroom, she was surprised to find Daryl moving about their room getting his bow and arrows together. That was when she remembered it was his turn to walk the wall tonight.

"Hey," she smiled shyly trying to cover herself as she walked out with just a white satin nightgown on. He turned to face her, unable to tear his eyes of her; she looked stunning and he felt himself going hard at the sight of her toned legs.

"Hey… um I have to walk the wall tonight," he finally replied.

"Yeah I almost forgot," she laughed softly trying to act casual but failing. He nodded, slipping his crossbow across his back, unable to stop himself from looking over at the two cots pushed together. She followed his line of sight and felt her skin go red hot with embarrassment, cursing herself for not pushing them apart.

"Oh ah, I guess T-Dog and Glenn just assumed… I mean I can push them apart."

"No need, fine where they are," he replied casually, shocking her. "T-Dog is relieving me at 4am, so I'll try not to wake you when I come back," he smiled moving for the door.

"Why?" her words stopped him. He turned to face her, confused. "I mean, why did you decided to room with me? Why are you okay with the cots being pushed together? Why did you insist on me riding with you till we found this place? I could continue but I think you get the point, I'm just trying to understand." He stared at her for the longest moment trying to decide what the best response would be.

Should he be totally honest and tell her how much he cared for her, that he wanted to be with her, that he thought he may very well be in love with her, and risk the pain of a possible rejection? He could hear Merle laughing at him, mocking him. "You a pussy now Darylena? What are we going to share our feelings now? Maybe have a group hug?"

"Ah," he started feeling his palms sweat and his heart pound. He couldn't do it, he wasn't ready, "I came back for you at the farm that night, I saved your life, you're my responsibility now." She felt like all the air was sucked out of her lungs, she couldn't believe it, she had actually kidded herself into thinking Daryl Dixon may actually feel for her what she does for him. She could hear Ed's mocking laugh ringing in her ears and she couldn't stop the wave of anger that hit her.

"I'm your responsibility?" she spat, her voice laced with anger. He flinched at the bitter sound of her voice, watching her face screw up in annoyance as she stormed for the door, grabbing her dressing gown and flinging the door open. He grabbed her arm stopping her from leaving, but she jerked it from his grasp as if his touch had burnt her.

"Carol…," he started feeling like a complete idiot, he realised just how stupid his words had sounded.

"No don't, just stop!" she spat, turning to face him. "Let's get one thing clear Daryl Dixon, I'm not some obligation for you, I'm not your responsibility and I'm sure as hell not your problem." She hissed at him, slamming the door behind her. He jerked it open looking around but he couldn't see her anywhere.

"Damn woman always wandering off," he hissed. He was unsure who he was angrier at – her, for taking his words the wrong way and storming off, or himself, for not being a man and telling her the truth.

"I'll go find her." He turned to his right to see Andrea leaning up against the hallway wall.

"You been there long?," he asked looking down.

"Hmm for my sanity I'm going to say no, you got the wall now, don't you?" He sighed looking down at her.

"Yeah."

"Well you go ahead; I'll go make sure Carol is alright." He nodded walking past her.

"Hey Daryl." He stopped turning to face her. "I know you're not the caring and sharing type, but the next time you feel a case of foot-in-mouth coming on, why don't you curve that impulse and try just being honest with her about how you really feel." Not giving him a chance to reply, Andrea turned, smiling and heading towards the library where she saw Carol disappear too.

Daryl watched Andrea walking away surprised at her boldness and honesty. She was right, he had never been the caring or sharing type and he knew if he was to ever stand a chance with Carol, he needed to start trying to be. He turned and headed for the wall hoping that he could fix the damage he had done tomorrow.

It didn't take Andrea long to find Carol. She was in the library sitting, legs curled up under her in one of the larger black leather chairs. A book sat in her lap unopened, clearly just a prop should anyone come in. Andrea could hear soft cries as she moved closer to the other woman.

"Carol," she spoke softly not wanting to startle her, but when she saw Carol jerk slightly taken by surprise she knew she had failed. She guessed in a world crawling with walkers it was next to impossible not to startle someone. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine, just surprised me a little, what are you doing up so late?" Carol asked frantically trying to dry her tears not wanting to cause a fuss.

"I just finished my watch in the tower, was still wide awake so I thought I would come see if you're okay." Andrea replied moving to sit on the small coffee table in front of Carol.

"Why wouldn't I be okay?," Carol asked looking at her confused.

"I heard your argument with Daryl," she confessed. Carol looked down, feeling the tears build up in her eyes again but fought to push them down not wanting to show her hurt. "He cares about you," Carol looked up shaking her head.

"No," she whispered laughing slightly, and bitterly continued, "I'm his responsibility." She tried but was unable to hold back the bitter tone in her voice.

"Look, we all remember what Daryl was like when we first met him and Merle, and we also remember how much Daryl changed when we lost Merle." Carol nodded; she did have to admit he was a different person now. "Merle brought the worst out in him but I think he thought he had to be that way – hard, guarded when his brother was around – and even though he has become his own man, a good man, he still finds it hard to open up."

"It was foolish to think…," Carol started but quickly stopped herself.

"To think what?" Carol shook her head unable to say the words. "That he would care about you? It's not foolish, he does. I have seen the way he looks at you and I've seen how wherever you are, he is always close by."

"He is just being protective," Carol replied, playing with the hem of her nightgown.

"I don't doubt that, but I really don't think it's just that. I mean you guys are like a force, magnets – you move, he moves." Carol smiled at this realising Andrea was right. Carol knew if Daryl wasn't on watch or out hunting he was never far from her. "I think he cares about you a lot more then you realise."

"I doubt it." Carol smiled shyly hoping on the inside that Andrea was right. "I have been asking him to teach me how to defend myself, how to use the bow he got me and he said he would but every time I bring it up he changes the subject."

"I think maybe he is just worried about you getting hurt."

"Isn't that all the more reason to train me so I don't get hurt?" Andrea laughed nodding her head in agreement.

"Yes, but men don't think like we do, we think logically. They just think they are the big man and we need protecting." They laughed together, agreeing fully. "I could train you," Andrea offered. Carol's head popped up at this.

"Really?"

"Yeah I mean I don't know much about crossbows, but I can show you how to use a gun, a knife and how to defend yourself in hand to hand combat."

"That would be great," Carol smiled feeling excitement flutter through her.

"Great, well we will start tomorrow after breakfast."

"Thank you so much Andrea, I think I might head to bed." Carol announced, standing from her chair.

"Okay, but think about what I said." Carol nodded "I'll walk you back to your room," Andrea said standing from her seat.

"Carol you do know that T-dog offered to share a room with Daryl right?" Carol turned at her words shocked.

"What?"

"Well when the guys first decided it was safe to spilt off to our own rooms, T-Dog offered to share with Daryl"

"Well what did Daryl say?"

"At first he was worried you would be by yourself so I told him you could share with me and Michonne but he didn't hesitate in saying that he would rather the two of you share" Carol didn't know what to do with this information instead she just nodded as they walked out of the library to head back to their rooms. She really hoped Carol listened to her cause if there was one thing she knew, it was the look a man got when he was falling for someone, and Daryl clearly was falling hard.