Oh, our dear Carol has to toughen up a bit in this chapter. I know that it is probably too soon but I couldn't resist. Every time she is able to bring out some bad assedness (I know that isn't even a word) I have to let her. No worries though, she isn't Carol from the story Fighting Back and she wont be in this. But it was just too good and it was deserved in my book. You are all the best and thank you for all of your reviews and support. I'm diggin' it ;) And make sure you've read chapter 22 before you read this. I don't trust this site to notify you of updates!

Chapter Twenty Three

Daryl was lacing up his boots when he heard a knock at the door. Sophia, who was already dressed and ready to go, jumped up from her seat next to him on the couch and opened the door before he could even say anything.

"Hi Carl." She said breezily.

He heard them talk for a minute but he didn't pay attention to anything they were saying. His mind was turned inward at the moment.

"Earth to Daryl!" Sophia said as she leaned her face close to his and tapped the side of his head.

He hadn't even heard her say anything. "Huh?"

She laughed at him and he found himself smiling at her. "I asked if I could go back to the game room before we leave." She said eagerly, keeping her face close to his.

"You got all your shit together?" He asked.

She nodded. "Yep."

He glanced at the door to the bathroom where Carol was showering and then finally shrugged. But right before she could take off he grabbed her by the hand and yanked her back. She gave him a questioning look but didn't pull away from him.

"You watch your ass, okay?" He grumbled.

"I will." She grinned.

"And you stay the fuck away from Shane. Unless there's somethin' around to stab him with. And if you end up stabbin' him I'll take the blame."

He shot Carl a look as the kid backed out of the door.

Sophia grabbed Daryl by the sides of his face and then kissed him on the forehead before hurrying off. "Yes, Sir." She grinned as she dashed out the door.

He sat there stunned for a minute and then shook head. He could feel the goofy grin on his face but he didn't care. He surveyed their stuff. There wasn't a lot. Only a few bags. He checked around the room to make sure nothing was getting left behind. They didn't have enough stuff now days to risk leaving anything behind. The only thing left was whatever they had still in the bathroom. Tooth brushes and soap and little things like that. He debated for only a second before slipping through the door. The steam was so thick it reminded him of that night at the quarry.

"Daryl, get out!" He looked up and laughed as Carol peered around the crack of the shower door. The glass was frosted so he couldn't really see much but he couldn't help but stare at what he could see.

"I gotta get the rest of our shit, woman. Can't be forgettin' anything." He said as he snatched the toothbrushes off the counter. He looked up and caught her glaring.

"Sophia knows I'm in here, Daryl. I can get the stuff when I'm done."

"She left with Carl just now." he said as he watched her face.

"Oh. Well, that's different." She slid the door shut again and he watched as she turned around and got back under the spray.

"Son of a bitch," he mumbled as he watched her. She was nothing but a blur behind the glass but he could see enough. Just a side profile but that was the best view of her that he had ever had. He could see how pale she was, every soft swell and straight angle was right there for him to see.

He looked down when he heard a soft snap. "Mother fuck." He growled when he saw that his fists had been clenched so tight that he snapped one of the toothbrushes in half. His own to be specific. He looked back up in time to see her head turn towards him.

"You're still here?" She asked, sounding amused.

He watched her drag her hands slowly down the front of her and suddenly his mouth went dry. The smell of her soap filled his nostrils. He had to get the fuck out of the room. Had to stop looking at her like that. But he kept watching, in his minds eye the glass wasn't frosted and he could make out each individual drop of water as it traveled down her body.

"Fuck." He breathed and then he bolted out the door. If not then he was going to end up ripping the goddamn shower door off and take her right there. He had to get his head together. They had to leave. Soon. No time for all of that. Even though he couldn't get the sight of her out of his head. He'd have another long day to deal with. He sighed and then sat down on the bed heavily. She really was going to kill him.

Another knock at the door was enough to get his thoughts back in order. When he stood up he looked down to make sure there wasn't an obvious bulge in his pants. He blew out his breath and opened the door.

Shane was standing on the other side of the door and it took everything in his power to keep from knocking the other mans teeth down his throat. The dream he had had the night before flashed through his head and he had to grind his teeth together.

They regarded each other for another few seconds before Shane finally gave him his usual cocky smirk. "Carol in there? I need to talk to her."

"The fuck you do. You done enough talkin', asshole." Daryl growled.

That smirk of Shane's faltered a bit. "She told you about that?" He seemed disbelieving.

"Yeah." Daryl gave him a smile of his own but there was no humor in it. "You know Shane. You might wanna think about movin' on. Getting' over it. She ain't your type. She ain't the kind of woman that'll fall for your bullshit and she ain't some whore that's just gonna jump in bed with you just cause you're there."

"Is that right?" Shane asked casually leaning against the door frame and keeping that smug look in place.

"Yeah, it is."

"So, what, you got some kind of redneck claim on her now just cause you offed her husband and shared a bed with her a few times. You're the one that needs to get over it, Dixon."

Daryl shook his head and was about to say to hell with it and go ahead with is first plan and knock his teeth out but then he felt a small hand on his arm and he looked over.

Carol was there and she looked pissed. "You can't take a hint can you? I told you to stay the hell away from me, Shane." She said, almost calmly.

Shane held up is hands. "I just came to apologize. What I did last night was..."

He shut his mouth real quick when Carol stepped past Daryl and shoved a gun in his face. "What you did last night was typical behavior for a man like you. What you did last night was nearly force yourself on me. What you did last night really pissed me off, Shane. Maybe you should walk your ass down a few doors and apologize to your best friend for sleeping with his wife while he was gone. Cause I don't care if you wanna say sorry to me. I told you. Stay. Away."

"You gonna shoot me?" He said as he stepped back.

"You gonna try me?" She snapped. "I told you no and then you shoved your tongue down my throat. I want you to leave me alone."

His hands were still raised. "Fine. I'll stay away. But I am sorry. I was drunk."

"You know how many times I've heard that excuse? You've got it all wrong Shane. Daryl isn't anything like Ed was. But I think you might be. You're an arrogant self serving son of a bitch. Keep walking."

He turned around, hands still in the air and walked on down the hall.

Daryl grabbed her by the waistband of her jeans and pulled her into the room. "Jesus Christ, woman!"

She stuffed the gun into her waistband and turned around, placing her hands on his chest. "Was that too much?" She breathed. He could feel her hands shaking and he covered them with his own.

"That might have been the hottest fuckin' thing I've ever seen any woman do in my life. But, yeah, it was a bit much. I could have handled it." he laughed.

"No. It's time for me to start handling things myself. And I heard what he said." She shook her head and gave him a wink before turning around and grabbing her and Sophia's bags. "And nobody is gonna talk to you that way. Not in front of me." She kissed him lightly and then walked out the door. He watched her walk down the hallway and turn the corner. There was a new confidence to her step that he had never seen before.

"Holy shit." He mumbled as he grabbed his own bag, killed the lights and followed after her.

~H~

Everyone was gathered around the doors that they had came through yesterday. When Carol walked in everyone turned to look at her. Everyone but Shane, who kept his head pointed towards the windows.

Sophia walked up to her with a smile on her face. It was so nice to see her smiling so much. And she knew who she had to thank for it. "Mom, we have a lot more stuff now. Dr. Jenner gave us a ton of supplies and all of his weapons." Sophia said after hugging her tightly.

Carol knew this was a good thing but she felt her spirits drop a little. If he was giving them his supplies then that could only mean that him and Milton were staying. She hadn't been able to change their minds. She had really hoped she could have.

She felt an arm slide around her waist and then Daryl pulled her a little closer. "You tried. That's all you can do. Everything else was up to them."

She nodded. "I know. I just thought maybe..." She sighed. "Never mind. Sophia, did you eat breakfast?" She asked sadly.

"Yeah. We all did. There's some for you two but they got tired of waiting so Jenner packed you something for the road." Sophia said before she joined the others.

Andrea and Amy saw them then and waved them over. They were both grinning excitedly. Daryl stayed by her side as she made her way over to them.

"You wont believe the things we got!" Amy said happily.

Andrea nodded. "He gave us a lot of medical supplies and food. Guns and ammo. We will be set for year. It's amazing."

Daryl leaned his head next to her ear. "I need to go figure out what Rick's got planned for us now." He said quietly.

She nodded and reached up to kiss him lightly. He was getting used to it because he kissed her back happily and then pulled his face back a few inches. "You swear you ain't gonna kill anybody?" He grinned.

She laughed and kissed him again. "I swear." She pushed him away and watched as he strolled over to the other men. Shane avoided him, keeping to Rick's other side.

"So," Andrea grinned and tugged her by the hand. "Are you and Dixon an official thing now?" Her face was lit up like a high school girl about to get the latest gossip and Carol was so grateful that she had such a good friend in the other woman. She smiled back and glanced towards the men.

"I think so. I hope so. I love the man." She shrugged.

Andrea's eyes widened. "You do?"

Carol nodded. "I do."

"I knew it. I knew it and I was right. This is fantastic!" Andrea was nearly shouting.

"Be quiet." Carol shushed her and then glanced around. She met Daryl's narrowed eyes and then he smirked and looked away.

"You knew what?" Lori asked as she walked up to them.

Andrea's smile slipped right off her face and Carol could feel hers doing the same.

"Nothing Lori. Just talking." Andrea said as she leaned her shoulder into Carol's.

"Could this have anything to do with your visit from Shane in the middle of the night?" Lori asked with a wicked smile on her face.

Andrea's head came around quickly. "What? You didn't tell me that part."

Carol narrowed her eyes at Lori. "I didn't get a chance to tell you about it yet."

"Did the two of you have fun?" Lori asked, still holding onto that fake smile.

"Did Shane tell you he saw me last night?" She asked.

Lori shook her head. "I heard someone in the hall so I looked out and saw the two of you going into your room. Does Daryl know about that?" Lori asked casually. "Because he was the one that was looking after your daughter while you were sneaking off with another man."

Andrea's face went from annoyed to dangerous in no time. "Are you serious right now?"

Carol put a hand on Andrea's arm and shook her head. Andrea closed her mouth but rolled her eyes, thinking Carol was just going to drop it and let Lori say what she pleased. Carol had other plans.

"Lori, please just come right out and tell me what is bothering you. This beating around the bush is getting tiresome. Do you want Shane or do you want Rick? Because quite frankly I'm tired of watching you play them both for fools. Daryl knows who I am. And he knows that I would never, in a million years, choose a man like Shane over him. But just to let you know, that is what Shane was doing in my room. Trying to convince me to be with him so he can get you out of his head. Now, if you'll excuse us, Andrea and I were in the middle of a private conversation."

She turned away from a wide eyed gaping Lori and faced her friend once more. "Now, where were we?" She smiled.