Author's Note: I don't like begging for feedback and I really try not to do it. But I have been in a crazy funk lately with no inspiration to write. I know it would really help to hear from a few of you so I can try to get my mojo back (you don't have to sign in, you can comment as a guest). Thank you to the few of you who leave a review on every chapter, it's very appreciated. And whether you do take a moment to review or not - I do truly thank you for reading. I'm trying hard to be inspired and I do love the concept of this fic, so it's often the easiest for me to work on. This is more of a relationship building chapter for Caryl - I hope you enjoy.

The first time Carol woke up he was ready with a bucket. She was completely disoriented and had no clue where she was - understandably, but she was so sick she threw up violently and fell right back to sleep. The second time - they weren't so lucky. He decided to try to get her to the bathroom so he could give her a cold cloth and maybe get her to drink some water, but they didn't make it.

"Why the fuck didn't I bring the bucket?" he muttered, looking down at the mess on the floor - and his socks. When he looked back at Carol any little bit of anger or annoyance he felt dissipated. She was a mess and he felt awful for her.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She just kept mumbling those words over and over, but now she was crying too. Her big blue eyes all shiny with tears was killing him.

"It's alright," he soothed her. "Let's just get you to the bathroom." Daryl quickly took off his socks to avoid tracking stuff through the house and helped Carol get situated in front of the toilet. He wet a washcloth and put it on the back of her neck while she heaved. When she lifted her face he handed it to her so she could wipe herself off.

"Why are you being so nice to me? I'm a gross mess," she whined, tears streaming down her face.

Daryl shrugged, "My other plans fell through." He managed to get a tiny smile out of her. "You okay for a minute while I go clean up the hall?"

"I'm sorry," she said, welling up again. "I'll clean it up. I will."

She started to stand. "No, stay there and focus on keeping the rest in the toilet," Daryl instructed. "It's not a big deal." Smells and gross things had never bothered him. He gut deer and cleaned game all the time. A little puke was nothing.

By the time he returned she was slumped in the corner, passed out once again. She'd thrown up a lot in the last hour or so and Daryl had a feeling she was probably done, at least until morning. It was 3am by that point and he'd yet to sleep. He gently nudged Carol but when she didn't wake up he just bent down and scooped her into his arms. He carried her back to the couch, moved the bucket close in case he was wrong and covered her up. He watched her for a moment as she snuggled the blanket close. It was rather amusing since she hadn't even seemed to notice him pick her up and carry her, but once she was comfy on the couch again her body seemed to notice.

Daryl left her and took a quick shower, changed his clothes and went back to the living room to sleep on the other couch incase she needed him. He was out almost instantly and didn't wake again until the phone started to ring. "Oh god," he groaned. It was 11am, but he was still exhausted.

Daryl fumbled around for his phone. "Hello? Oh, today? Really? What time?" The execs wanted him at the studio at 1pm. "Uh," he looked over at Carol who had just started stirring. "Are you um, are you calling in everyone today? Or just me?"

"The entire cast will be coming in between 1 and 2," the man informed him. "We have papers ready for everyone to take and review - with a lawyer if you prefer, and the writers want to go over storyline ideas with some of y'all."

"Oh - um okay, yep, thanks," Daryl replied. He hung up and watched Carol rubbing her eyes. The poor woman was going to have a rough day. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently.

She turned her head slowly, looked at him and ran for the bathroom. Even though Daryl felt bad for her he took a moment to chuckle before going to check on her. Carol had her head back against the wall and her eyes closed. "Just leave me here to die," she moaned. "Why do people drink? Why?"

"Did you have fun last night?" Daryl asked.

Her eyes blinked open. "The parts I can remember, yes." She put her head in her hands. "Oh, no… there are moments coming back that I really, reallllllly want to forget." Carol peeked at him from behind her fingers. "I puked on your floor didn't I?" Daryl nodded. "Please tell me I cleaned it up?" Daryl shook his head. "Oh God, I'm so sorry…" Her eyes were tearing up again.

"Stop," he drawled. "It's fine."

After a moment of silence she spoke. "Thank you. For everything you did last night." She bit her lip. "I didn't do anything… stupid… did I? Like between us…"

"You think I would take advantage of ya?" Daryl snapped, feeling his skin prickle.

"No, no," Carol said quickly. "That's not what I meant… please," she tried to stand and doubled over.

Daryl reached for her and helped steady her. "Come on, let's get you back to the couch and I'll get you some water."

"Please don't be mad," she begged him. There was this strange look of terror in her eyes that made him very uneasy - it was like she was scared of what would happen if she made him mad. It only took him a second to connect the dots because he understood that look better than anyone.

"I ain't mad," Daryl said gently as he helped her sit. "I just… over reacted. I ain't that kinda guy, despite what most people think when they look at me."

"I'm sorry," Carol said, touching his leg. "I truly wasn't making that assumption. I just wanted to know if I did anything towards you to embarrass myself because I just don't remember everything. It's scary." Her voice was genuine and Daryl believed her. "I don't judge people before I get to know them - promise." She gave him a tired smile. "Besides, from what I know you seem like a pretty great guy."

Daryl scoffed, feeling heat in his neck. "Yeah, don't know 'bout that."

She squeezed his leg. "You are."

"Ain't nothing Rick or Shane wouldn't have done," he shrugged.

"I know," she smiled again. "You're every bit as good as them. Every bit." Daryl didn't respond as he let her words swirl in his mind. Who was this woman? And how did she have more confidence in him already than he'd ever had in himself? As much as he really didn't want to get involved with anything to do with this stupid job he was taking, including getting to know his co-workers, he couldn't help but be intrigued by her. Was he ready to make friends? Was he ready to let someone get to know him? The real Daryl - not the angry, badass front he put on. Maybe.

Carol sighed. "You okay?" he asked again.

"My head… it's pounding," she moaned.

"I'll get ya something. How strong you want?" Daryl asked standing up. "Got regular Tylenol, Aleve, extra strength Advil Gel caps - probably some Tylenol 2s and I'm sure Merle has some perks around here somewhere." He paused. "Oh and before you decide… we have to be to the studio in about an hour and a half," Daryl added quickly.

"What?" she gasped, looking sick again. "You're joking right? Please tell me that's a joke?"

"Sorry," he looked at her sympathetically. "They called just as you were waking up. I'm sure you have a message at home. They said the entire cast is being called in." Daryl almost laughed again at the look of absolute horror on her face. "Look on the bright side, I don't think Lori, Andrea, Amy or Jacqui are in any better shape than you are."

Carol gave him a dirty look and sunk back on the couch cushion. "Better give me a couple of the Advil," she sighed. Daryl returned with water and 2 gel caps. "How are we doing this? I'm so gross," she looked down at her clothes. "And I smell," she finished with a pout.

Daryl thought for a moment. "Well I showered last night, but why don't I go clean up and change while you let those pills kick in. Then you can take a quick shower and I'll find you something to throw on until we get you home to change. We'll just stop by your place and then ride together to the studio, get our vehicles after." It was going to be a scramble to get 3 vehicles home with two drivers, but they could figure it out.

She nodded and he took off to get ready. He probably should have mentioned that she would have to ride on his motorcycle, which might not be all that comfortable in her condition. Oh well, if they had to call a cab again they could.

Daryl returned 20 minutes later. "I put towels and clothes in there for you. They'll be huge on you, but they're clean," he said with a shrug.

"Thank you," Carol said as she stood up. He reached for her as she wobbled. "I'm fine, just a little dizzy." She took a moment and then headed for the bathroom. Daryl started to tidy up a few things to kill time while he was waiting for her. When he returned from taking the puke bucket outside to clean it he heard a loud thump from the bathroom.

Daryl ran for the door and banged on it. "Carol? Carol?" he called. He could hear the shower running. "Are you okay?" When she didn't answer he opened the door and peeked in. Her clothes were on the floor and the shower curtain was pulled shut. "Carol?" he tried again. She still didn't answer so he sucked in a breath and moved to the shower. "Oh Fuck," he hissed when he looked in. Carol was wet, naked, and passed out, lying on the bottom of the tub with water raining down on her.