Daryl woke early on Monday morning. Too early. But he couldn't get back to sleep so he stayed in bed and thought about the crazy weekend he'd had.
Even though he wasn't much of a party guy he had to admit it had been fun. It was strange for him to be drawn to people he didn't know well. Actually, it was strange for him to be drawn to anyone. But there was something about the people he would be working with that made him feel at ease in a way he wasn't accustomed to. Don't get used to it, Daryl told himself, they will disappoint you. They always do.
What about Carol though? Would she disappoint him? So far she hadn't done a single thing to make him think she might abandon him like everyone else in his life always had. She was kind, friendly, comforting and she just understood him in a way no one ever did before. It was unnerving sometimes, to the point he considered running, cutting ties, only seeing her at work and that was all. But he couldn't do it because now that she was in his life - he just couldn't imagine her not being there. Yet, in reality he barely knew her, right? Daryl pondered that for a moment. He felt like he did know her but it had only been days. Not even weeks or months - so, he shouldn't feel that way. Not yet.
The day before she had taken him somewhere he hadn't been in a long, long time. Daryl could barely remember the last time he stepped into a church. It was a lifetime ago when his mom was still alive and she still believed she could make a normal life for her kids with a drunk abusive bastard for a husband and daddy.
He hadn't wanted to go in. He'd almost dug in his heels and refused. He'd almost told Carol he would wait in the car for her. But she knew. She'd seen the resistance on his face the second he realized where she was taking him.
Daryl closed his eyes and pictured her face. He could hear her words in his mind, "You don't have to like it. Some days I don't. But just come in, for me. Please?" She had reached for his hand and squeezed it. "I haven't set foot in a church in months. Today just feels right - for me." Carol paused for a moment. "If you really don't want to, I understand. I know I'm asking a lot…"
Daryl still wasn't sure if she was really that brilliant and knew exactly how to get to him, or if it was all just truthful and happened to work in her favor. But the second she gave him an out he couldn't possibly take it. He also wondered if the reason it felt right to attend that day was truly for her or if it was related to him. But it didn't matter. As far as he would ever know he was doing a favor, for her, and he already knew there wasn't much he wouldn't do for this angel.
Angel. Wow. That's the descriptor that came to mind for him. Was it related to his church visit the day before? Or had it simply come to him because it was truly the right word - whether he even believed in God or Heaven or Angels?
Daryl sat up in bed and wondered what Merle would think. "You fucking went to church? For a woman? You're pussy whipped already boy." That's exactly what Merle would have said. It wasn't true. Yeah, he thought about her sexually, of course he did. She was gorgeous and sexy and he had seen her naked… But it wasn't like that. If it happened, it happened. But he wasn't pursuing her and she wasn't pursuing him. They were friends. If that's all they ever were he would simply be thankful Carol was a part of his life.
Daryl sighed and decided to go shower. It was bugging him that he hadn't hated going in that church like he was expecting he would. It wasn't that he bought into anything the preacher was saying. He actually had barely listened to the sermon. It was the way people reacted - with such joy. And just the spirituality in the room. It was calming to be around people who believed and found comfort in their religion.
He grumbled to himself on the way to the bathroom and vowed he wasn't going again. Even if she begged. She wouldn't though, he knew that. And if he was being completely honest with himself he also knew she wouldn't have to.
By the time he had showered and dressed, careful to not get his bandaged arm wet it was close to 8am. Carol was coming by around 815. They all got calls the day before to come to work the following day so contracts could be discussed and/or signed. Those who were signing without contest had been asked to come early. Those who had questions would be booking appointments for later in the week.
Daryl had gone to a lawyer and decided already he was just signing. Carol had done the same. He wondered about Merle but he would find out soon enough when he eventually came back home.
Carol wanted to check the bandage and change it if necessary, so she offered to bring breakfast and coffee, then they could just ride to the studio together. She arrived promptly at 815.
The second she walked in Daryl still had to fight with the embarrassment he was feeling from Saturday night, even though he knew she had long moved on. They had discussed his scars and she didn't pressure him for information. That's exactly why he knew he would tell her everything one day.
"I got McDonald's," she announced, holding up the paper bag. "I hope that's okay."
"Are you fucking with me? 'Course it's okay," Daryl replied eagerly. The McDonald's was out of the way and he didn't often get there, especially for breakfast. They sat down and he gobbled up the egg McMuffin in a matter of minutes, followed by the hashbrown in two bites.
"I'm not that hungry, have mine," Carol said, offering her hashbrown with a smile.
"You sure?" He asked, wondering if she was just being nice or really wasn't hungry.
"Yeah, go ahead," she pushed it towards him. Another two bites and it was gone. Daryl drank his coffee while she finished eating. Carol got up and washed her hands at the kitchen sink and then grabbed the first aid kit. "Okay, let's look at that arm." Daryl winced as she removed the bandage. It hurt, which probably wasn't a good sign. "Hmm," Carol said, when the cut was exposed. "It doesn't look infected… but it's weeping a lot… I really think you need to go for stitches." She looked at him sadly. "I know you don't want to… but you can't let it get infected."
"We won't," Daryl replied. "You can keep checking it, right?"
"I can," she replied. "But I'm not a doctor... " Carol sighed and eyed him. "I'll keep checking it, but you gotta promise if there's any sign of infection you'll go right to the hospital."
"Fine," he agreed quickly. She finished up quickly and they headed to the studio. When they got into the lounge only Rick, Lori and Carl were there. Carol sat down beside Lori and started chatting, while Carl was playing a hand held video game of some sort. Daryl took the empty seat beside Rick.
"So, you two ride together again?" He asked, smirking.
Daryl glared but didn't answer. "Hope this ain't gonna take long," he grumbled instead.
"Might be a while," Rick replied. "They said something about doing a costume fitting and taking some promotional shots."
"Huh," Daryl snorted. "I fucking hate being in pictures."
"Might want to get used to it Sunshine," Carol piped up. "Remember those girls at the restaurant? That's just the beginning. You're gonna be asked for pictures all the time. You're just too pretty," she teased. "You too officer," Carol added looking at Lori with a laugh. They were enjoying this way too much, Daryl decided. Lori and Carol were both beautiful - they would get their fair share of attention too. He caught Carol's eye and the way her eyes were sparkling made him want to smile. She loved to tease him and he would never admit it - but he enjoyed it.
Sure enough Rick was right. After he signed the contract he was informed he was to head to make up. "Make up? The fuck?" Daryl grunted. "I don't wear make up."
"It's not like lipstick and eyeshadow," Mike explained, looking amused. "It's costume makeup to make you look dirty and sweaty."
"Well that's fucking stupid," Daryl muttered. "What's wrong with just using dirt?"
"Makeup's a little more sanitary," Mike said with a shrug. "Most actors aren't up for rolling around in the mud before they film a scene." He looked amused which just annoyed Daryl even more so he trudged out and followed the intern to the makeup room.
The makeup lady was just getting started on Daryl when Carol sat down in the seat beside him. "Hey, fuck, that… tickles," Daryl said, the second the brush touched his skin. Carol laughed and he glared at her.
"Would you just relax," she said, rolling her eyes at him.
The lady working on his makeup looked at a paper. "Oh, Mr. Dixon… It says here you'll be wearing a sleeveless shirt. I'm gonna need you to take off your jacket and shirt so I can do your arms as well." He caught Carol's eye, feeling panicked. He slowly took off the jacket but there was no way in hell he was taking off his shirt in front of strangers. "Oh… you have an injury… hmm…" She was looking at the bandage. "How bad is it? Can we cover it with makeup for the shoot?"
"No," Carol said quickly, before Daryl even had a chance to reply. "It's bad. Probably should have stitches."
"Once you're all done here - before you go to wardrobe, I'll have one of the medics come in and check you over." She thought for a moment. "We might have to end up using prosthetics to cover the bandaging… or maybe the photographer can work around it…"
"They can stitch it? Right here?" Carol asked.
"Yeah," she nodded. "There are always accidents on set. They can fix up most things without a trip to the hospital." Daryl saw Carol smile and he felt the same relief. Now he definitely wouldn't have to go to emerge after all. "Anyway, let's keep working. I need the shirt off."
Daryl started to panic again. He looked to Carol for guidance and he could see the wheels turning in her mind. "What if he puts on his costume first?" She asked. The makeup artist looked stunned and confused. Clearly she had no clue what was going on.
"We… uh… usually... Do this… first…" she said, looking from one to the other and then glancing at the other makeup artist.
Daryl was still trying to figure out what to say or do when Carol stood up. "Well then, you need sleeveless… you'll get sleeveless." Daryl watched in silence as she grabbed a pair of scissors off the counter in front of her, walked over to him and started snipping at his shirt. "I'll warn you though," she said to the other ladies, "His arms are pretty spectacular."
Daryl blushed while the women giggled. "Y'all are being very unprofessional," he grumbled. His annoyance didn't stop him from giving Carol a grateful look. The makeup artist went back to work. "Are you almost finished?" Daryl asked, no more than 3 minutes later. She shook her head apologetically. "Almost done?" He asked again after a couple more minutes.
"It's probably going to be at least another 20 minutes Mr. Dixon." Daryl sighed loudly. "And then Jenny will be in to fix your hair."
"What? My hair? What the fuck?" Daryl replied, feeling the annoyance return with a vengeance. "My hair is fine." He could see his own scowling reflection in the mirror. His hair looked okay, he decided.
He crossed his arms and continued to pout when he heard a sound. It was Carol - laughing again. He snapped his eyes to her face and saw her smiling at him. "Fuck off," he muttered, fighting off the urge to smile back.
"You're being a big ol' baby," Carol teased.
"I ain't," he shot back, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth he knew she was right. "Whatever," he replied moodily. She was about the only one who could get away with teasing him like that. As he sat quietly brooding, but letting the artist do her job Daryl decided he definitely did like it when Carol teased him. It reminded him that they have a special relationship that's already close enough to allow for jesting.
Carol was finished before him, which was annoying. Hopefully he would get the other makeup chick next time - clearly she was faster. "Okay, all done," she finally announced cheerfully. Daryl looked in the mirror. He had to admit she had done a pretty damn good job of making him look grimy and a bit sweaty. He glanced over at Carol. She didn't look a lot different.
"How come she ain't all covered in dirt too?" He asked.
The woman smiled at him. "Your character is a bit more… uhhh… hands on than hers." Daryl didn't really know what that meant. "I've heard your weapon is a crossbow. Carol probably won't even carry a weapon."
"Better be a fucking crossbow," he muttered. He made sure they knew he preferred hunting with a crossbow, even though he was just as accurate with a rifle.
"We're gonna head out and send Jenny and Dana in to work on your hair." With that the two ladies were gone and he was alone with Carol.
"Hey," she said gently. "All kidding aside - are you okay?"
"Yeah… it's just this ain't me," he waved his hand around.
"You're gonna have to get used to it," she said, giving him a look. "I'm sure it will just become routine before too long," Carol added encouragingly.
There was a moment of quiet before he spoke. "Thanks for the shirt thing," he said softly. Carol reached out and took his hand, giving him a squeeze to say 'you're welcome' and let him know she truly understood.
Daryl hadn't even noticed that the hair stylists had come in the room. He quickly pulled his hand away when he saw them. But he didn't miss the look they shared or the smirk on their faces. They clearly thought there was more going on than there really was. 'Let's just get this over with," he grumbled, heading right back into pissed off redneck mode.