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"Daryl, I need to tell you something," she was clearly exhausted but the urgency in her voice made him tensed.
Daryl shifted so he could look into her face.
"No matter what I tell you, promise me you won't do anything stupid.."
"Sounds good coming from you," Daryl grumbled.
Carol didn't appreciate his attempt to lighten the situation and she straightened up.
She had no idea where and how to start telling Daryl that his brother had tried to murder her in a cold blood.
She sighed, knowing that no matter how she put it, it would be devastating for Daryl. She hated hurting him, but couldn't allow anybody like Merle to threaten her little family.
Daryl was listening motionlessly and didn't interrupt her once. She was watching him with concern.
His face was growing darker with every word she said and his body stiffened. He was clenching his fists and involuntary pushed her out of his arms.
When she finished, he didn't even look at her, his look fixed on something in the distance.
"Daryl...," she reached out to touch him, but stopped halfway as she heard Merle's raspy voice.
"Anybody's up there?"
Daryl noticed the terrified look that suddenly appeared in her eyes and cursed under his breath.
He grabbed her arms and forced her to look at him.
"Ya'll act like you told me nothin', understand?"
She nodded, shocked by the vacant expression in his face.
He shot her one last quick glance and bent over the edge of the tree house.
"Yeah, we're up here."
Merle's head shot up.
"Carol's there with you?"
Daryl nodded and turned back to Carol. He was surprised to find her in the corner, hugging her knees with panic-stricken look.
When he got closer, she flinched away.
He narrowed his eyes in confusion: "What the hell happened to ya?"
It was Daryl. Daryl she knew and she trusted with her life, Carol repeated to herself. But it was still his brother down there, person he'd always had the strongest bond with.
Twice Daryl had faced this decision. First, he'd chosen his brother, ditching them all. Then he'd come back, wordlessly confessing his mistake. What would be his third, and this time final, choice?
Daryl seemed to read her mind.
He mentally kicked himself, again realizing how his first walk out with Merle must have shaken up her faith in him, no matter how brave and calm she tried to act.
He pulled back and looked at her.
"I ain't gonna let him hurt ya, do you understand? Ya must trust me, just pretend you told me nothin'."
They heard Rick and Glen joining Merle.
Daryl stretched out his hand to her.
"We'll go easy now. Ya're two weak to climb down herself. I'll be holding ya, Rick will catch ya and get ya down, OK?"
Everything went smoothly and soon she was in Rick's arms. She was surprised when he hugged her tightly, murmuring the words of apology.
When he finally put Carol on her feet, she lurched. The fight, her injuries and long cold hours spent in the tree crown, had got the best of her and she realized she could barely stand. She felt a strong arm clasped around her waist quickly. She looked at Daryl thankfully and leaned into him.
"Let's get you to Hershel quick," Daryl didn't waste time.
Carol did her best to avoid Merle's gaze. She felt his eyes piercing her, trying to figure out how much she'd said to his brother. She knew Daryl was aware of that too and she appreciated he never let her to be close to Merle, positioning himself between them.
When they finally reached the parking lot, a shaky breath caught in her throat. There was Daryl's precious bike and one car. If she didn't ride on bike with Daryl, which was out of question considering her condition, it would leave her with Merle at the backseat of the car.
"Put her in the car Daryl, I'll take care of her," Rick gestured to the car.
"Sure, I've done it once and see what happened," Daryl snarled a bit more harshly then he intended. Rick didn't say anything and bowed his head. Daryl immediately felt guilty for snapping at him. Man was going through shit times, but Daryl had more important things on his mind right now.
"Merle, you take my bike, I'll go by car," Daryl said, not missing the uncertain look his brother gave him.
Carol felt last piece of strength leaving her. She was already half asleep when she felt Daryl scooping her up and placing her on the backseat of the car.
When she woke up, she was lying in her cell and Hershel was bending over her. She smiled when she saw his kind face.
"You scared the hell out of us Carol," his voice was soft as he was checking her pulse, "Beth was crying all night, thinking she'll never see you again."
Carol felt her eyes filling with tears, she felt bad for the girl. Beth was sweet and sensitive youngster, having hard time getting used to the new world and Carol hated to know that she'd caused her even more despair.
It surprised her when Hershel chuckled and she looked at him in confusion. Hershel waved his hand in amusement.
"I've just remembered Beth, when she saw Daryl carrying you inside. She threw herself on the poor guy, almost knocking him off his feet. He had his hands full already and suddenly he had to handle two women at once."
Hershel smirked: "And you know how Daryl loves the attention. He put you on bed and sneaked out as quickly as he could."
Carol couldn't help but smile, imagining Daryl being attacked by Beth. Suddenly the smile died on her lips, when the events of last couple of hours came back to her at full blast.
She shot up and her sore body protested violently.
"Where's Daryl?"