Author's Note: I truly hope you guys are still enjoying this. I know it's a little slow paced and I apologize for that. In a few more chapters I'll probably jump ahead a bit. But just to give a little teaser of what's to come… Filming will start soon so we'll see how Daryl reacts to wardrobe and makeup :) And perhaps this new exciting show will get an invite to do a panel at SDCC… perhaps :) Is Daryl ready for the fangirls?

Chapter 7

Carol was sitting between Daryl and Lori in the lounge, waiting for her turn. Dale went in first - which was probably a bad move for all involved given his level of chattiness. Carol really liked him though. He had a wisdom about him that only comes with age and experience and she had a feeling he was someone you could talk through your problems with. It was always nice to have a person like that in your life.

Lori tapped her leg and Carol jumped. She hadn't been expecting it. "What are you all doing on Saturday?" she said, addressing everyone who was in the room. Carol didn't miss the look of surprise on Rick's face, clearly Lori was acting on impulse. "I want to have you all over to our place - for dinner."

"I'm in," Shane spoke quickly. "But I'll help you cook," he added with a smirk. "I'll BBQ something."

Rick was smirking too. Clearly Lori's cooking skills were a joke between the friends. "I'll come," Glenn replied. "Might be a bit late with work, so you guys better save me some food."

"Carol? Daryl?" Lori looked over at them.

"Oh, uh, I'm free," Carol replied with a smile. "Can I bring something?"

"Dessert?" Lori suggested.

"Of course," Carol replied, excited to try a new recipe. She looked over at Daryl. "Are you busy?" she asked, hoping he wasn't. She was already wondering when they might see one another again after they parted ways later on.

He seemed hesitant at first, but she continued to look at him hopefully and finally he gave in. "Nah not busy. I can come," Daryl said. "I can bring beer, but I ain't much of a cook."

"Oh don't you worry about that sweetie," Jacqui jumped in. "I make a mean potato salad and I can bring some little appetizers too."

Carol found herself smiling as the buzz and chatter continued. Ned never took her to parties. She heard about these pot luck type events but other than a couple church socials she'd never been to something like this. It sounded like everyone in the room would be able to attend. Carol was already looking forward to it, but the lingering headache made her decide that this time she was doing it completely sober.

"Carol, your turn." She looked up and saw Dale at the door.

"Oh, thanks," she said, giving Daryl a quick smile before she walked out. As she left she could hear Lori and the others talking to Dale about the party.

There was a young lady she'd never seen before waiting to lead her to the office. When she entered the room was filled with more people she either hadn't met before or didn't remember. There were quick introductions but Carol knew she was never going to remember all their names. The important thing was that she knew the crowd included a lawyer, the showrunner, and executive producer and a few writers. Oh, and apparently there was a woman from wardrobe that would take her measurements before she left.

"We'll keep this quick Ms. Peletier," the showrunner said. Carol was overwhelmed by the number of people in the room and she'd already forgot his name. "Your screentest was phenomenal and we think you're gonna have a real talent for acting. There was an interesting chemistry with Daryl too that the writers are thinking about exploring." She felt her cheeks flush both from the compliment and the thought of chemistry between her and Daryl. They really had hit it off quickly and she was confident they would become good friends. "What it comes down to is this - we are now absolutely certain we want to offer you a role on the show and we have a contract prepared for you to take and review." He pushed over a thick stack of papers held together with a paper clip. "We want you to take this home and review it. We do recommend you go over it with a lawyer." Carol nodded. "We'll be in touch late next week to bring you back in to sign or discuss amendments - or answer any questions you might have." She took a deep breath, feeling a bit dizzy again but more from all the information coming at her than her hangover.

"If your lawyer has any questions…" He passed her a card. "He can contact our legal team for clarification." The showrunner locked his fingers. "Is there anything you want to ask us right now? I know this is all a little overwhelming, but everything will start to come together soon, I promise."

"Uh, no… I can't think of anything at the moment," Carol replied. Her brain was way too scrambled.

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Okay, just one more thing before we do your measurements for wardrobe. I'll turn it over to Kevin - one of the writers - to explain."

They were all very kind and Carol started to relax - until she heard the idea. "We would like to cast your husband and also give your character a child - a daughter."

"Ned?" Carol asked, feeling panic seize her body. "You want to cast him too?"

"Oh God, no no no," Kevin replied quickly. "Oh shoot, I'm sorry, I should have explained better." The panic eased up slightly. "While the majority of the cast will be real people like yourself we have plans to cast a few actors for little things we want to tweak and change to make the story a little more interesting."

"Okay..." Carol said, still feeling unsure. "But isn't it like illegal or something to impersonate Ned?"

"Well for starters his name will be changed to Ed for the show," Kevin explained. "And while we would like to have you in a domestic abuse situation we aren't going to model him closely enough to your ex for him to have any ground to stand on in a lawsuit - if it ever came to that." Carol struggled to find her breath. "We understand it might be difficult for you, but we really want to include your past as part of the character's story. In all honesty - it's the main reason we picked you. It's going to be an important part of your character's arc."

"So what happens if I refuse?" Carol asked nervously.

Several people exchanged looks. "We really hope it won't come to that - but we have already started scripts and we're so happy with where they are going we would have to look at casting an actor."

Carol fought off the panic. She'd spent a lifetime taking abuse from Ed. Whatever they had planned for the show wasn't real. Sure, it was gonna trigger her but hell, she'd dealt with the real thing - she could get through this. "Okay, I'll do it."

"Fantastic." They all looked very relieved. Kevin smiled at her. "You wanna name Carol's daughter?"

"Really? You'll let me pick the name?" Carol smiled back. It was a pretty cool offer.

"Sure - just nothing crazy," he laughed. "And it can't be the name of a character we already have."

"Sophia," Carol blurted out. "Is that okay? Can her name be Sophia?" The name was special to her because she had always planned to name her child Sophia if her and Ned ever conceived. She loved the name - deeply. But she knew she would never use it now, because it would only be a reminder of her life with Ned. This was a very cool way for her to be able to still use the name though.

"Sophia is perfect, great choice." Several others in the room agreed and it made Carol feel really good.

"Okay, let's get those measurements and you can be on your way." Carol stood up and the woman quickly measured her all over. Once she was done the showrunner came around and extended a hand. "We'll be in touch," he said, shaking her hand. "Can you send in Daryl next please?"

"Sure," Carol said. She walked out of the room holding her contract, feeling both anxious and excited. She opened the door to the lounge. "Daryl, they asked for you," she said. "I'll see everyone else on Saturday," Carol added politely before ducking back out into the hallway. Lori had given out her address earlier and they all decided on 7pm. The same intern was waiting for Daryl but she was at the other end of the hall. "I'll wait outside by the bike," she whispered to him quickly. "Bye Daryl," she added louder with a wave.

Carol knew after the teasing from Rick that Daryl wouldn't be comfortable with the others who were at the bar knowing they had stayed the night together - even if it was completely innocent. So she went outside into the warm spring air to wait.

Daryl was trying not to glaze over as Mike, the showrunner, explained all the technical and legal details. He would read through the contract on his own later anyway - probably not understand half of it - and end up pissed because he'd have to get a lawyer just like they suggested. All this damn red tape and business stuff was not his thing at all. Hell, the whole deal wasn't his thing. But if Daryl was being honest with himself… the last few days had been interesting and enjoyable even.

Blah, blah, blah - was pretty much all he heard through most of the meeting. There was one thing he'd been waiting to ask the whole time and now the chance had finally arrived. "Do you have any questions for us?" Mike said.

"Yeah, can I talk to my brother?" Daryl asked. "How do I call him? You have a number?"

"Oh, um, you can't," Mike said, looking apologetic. "While they're going through the program they aren't allowed contact with anyone."

"Fuck," Daryl hissed. As much as Merle was a huge pain in the ass he still missed him and worried about him.

"I could contact his counselor and get an update if that would help ease your mind," Mike offered.

"Nah, it's fine," Daryl shook his head. "I'll just enjoy the peace and quiet," he muttered, trying not to let on that he was missing Merle after only a few days.

"Okay then, let's get those measurements and you are free to go." Daryl stood up awkwardly while the costume designer came over with her tape measure.

Daryl jumped when she measured his inseam and got way too close to his package. "What the fuck?"

"Oh relax," she said, rolling her eyes at him. "You never had your measurements done before?" Daryl didn't like the way she challenged him, but he bit his tongue, trying his best to remember that the men and women in the room held his future in their hands. He fumed internally while she finished, measuring his biceps last. "Think we're gonna go with sleeveless," she commented with a smirk. "Got a feeling the ladies are gonna love this one."

Daryl blushed. "Can I go now?" he asked.

"Indeed," Mike nodded. "Can you just ask the Grimes family to come in on your way out please?"

Daryl tromped out of the room with his contract in hand. He was absolutely brooding, but he didn't care. He needed a fucking smoke. He yanked open the lounge door. "Rick, he wants you three now," Daryl grumbled. He didn't linger to see any reactions.

"See you Saturday," he heard Lori call out after him in the hallway. Daryl lifted his arm in a wave to acknowledge her, but didn't stop or turn around. The second he was outside he pulled out a pack of smokes and lit one. He had it half gone by the time he made it to where Carol was standing by the bike.

She was looking at him strangely. It was like she wanted to say something, but was hesitating. He finished the smoke and threw it on the ground, stomping it out. He needed something… He needed to feel free, just for a little while. "You got plans?" he grunted at her.

"Uh, right now? Today?" she asked, looking at bit confused and concerned.

"Yeah, now. You need to get home right away?" Daryl asked.

"No," she shook her head.

"Good, get on," he said, handing her the helmet. He took her contract and put it with his in one of the saddlebags for safe keeping.

Carol did up the helmet. "Where are we going?" she asked as he fired up the bike. She wrapped her arms around him and Daryl realized why he'd asked her to join him. Usually when he felt this way he just wanted to be alone yet he'd asked her to come along. Truth was - she made him feel, well… like he meant something - to her. She made him feel necessary in a way no one in his life ever had.

Daryl shrugged and looked at her over his shoulder. "I have no idea."