Author's Note: Gosh, I keep trying to find a time that I can jump forward a bit and it's just not happening! There's so much stuff I want them to experience that I want to share with you guys. I hope you aren't getting too frustrated with the slow pace. I don't usually write crazy long fics, but I have a feeling this could be one of the longest ones I've ever done. Unless it gets boring and people lose interest. As long as people still enjoy it I'll keep going. Thank you all for reading and thank you to those who have left reviews:) Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Carol wanted Daryl to be honest with her about the dresses and she made him promise he would but as she emerged from the change room in dress number 5 she was beginning to wish he would start lying. The first dress was too plain, the second looked like couch upholstery, the third reminded him of his grandma's curtains, he simply didn't think number four was her color and now… "It's too uhh… froo-froo," he said.

"Froo-froo," Carol repeated. "That's not even a real word," she snapped in frustration.

"Yeah it is," Daryl insisted. "Froo-froo… Like to fluffy and puffy… Like a tutu or something."

"A tutu?" She glared at him and then checked her reflection. The dress was a bit poofy in the skirt, but it certainly didn't look like a damn tutu. "Well, that was the last one," she sighed. "Guess I have to grab some more."

Daryl clearly had no idea how annoyed she was. "Want me to help?" He asked, blinking innocently.

"Oh no, you just have a seat right there," Carol replied sweetly. "I'll get a few more and be right back." Still wearing the last dress she tried on Carol headed back out to browse. She saw a very sexy red dress and had an idea. The sales woman came over and offered to help, giving Carol a strange look. "No thanks," she replied. "I'm doing just fine."

Carol returned to the change rooms with 5 more dresses. Only 2 were actual options but she was going to have a little fun with the other three. Carol quickly changed into the first one - open back, completely sequinned with a slit all the way up one thigh. She almost burst out laughing at her reflection. It looked like a conservative version of something JLo or Kate Hudson might wear on the red carpet. A cheap knock off version of course. Carol took a breath and put on her game face. It was time to practice her acting skills.

She emerged and stopped right in front of Daryl. "Oh, um… It's sparkly," he said. Carol shifted so her leg appeared out of the slit. "Oh… Uh…" Daryl's face turned bright red. "That's um…" While he stammered and struggled to find a word Carol turned around. "Holy fuck…" Was all she heard. She fought off a smile and wandered towards the mirror, leaving her rear view for Daryl.

"You're right, it's too sparkly," she said.

"Yeah, definitely too sparkly," she heard him echo as she headed back into the changeroom. Carol put on the second dress. It was skin tight, long sleeved, but off the shoulder and quite short. A few cut outs on the sides and it would look like something you'd see on the street corner, not at a work event. Carol took another deep breath and exited.

"What the…" Daryl whispered.

"I really like this one," Carol said, trying to sound convincing. She adjusted the skirt a bit and pulled it a little lower off her shoulders. "What do you think?" Daryl was staring at her with his mouth hanging open. He was either speechless or had no idea what to say. Well, at least he didn't think she looked like she was wearing a curtain or couch material. "Yeah, it's not short enough is it? And it really isn't low cut at all…" Carol muttered to the mirror. "Let's try the next one." She didn't even have to check to know that Daryl looked completely dumbfounded.

The last of the three dresses was… risque. She wasn't even sure she would have the guts to leave the fitting room once it was on. Carol wiggled into it and got everything situated. It was so short she couldn't even bend over without showing her underwear. The strapless bra she'd been wearing to try on dresses that required it was very supportive and it gave her considerable cleavage even with her less than endowed boobs. The dress was so low cut though she actually had to tuck the bra a bit so it wouldn't show.

Who would actually buy and wear this dress Carol wondered. She had to admit she looked pretty damn sexy, but it was trashy sexy not classy sexy. It was sexy nonetheless and Daryl was in for a good show. He's already seen everything that's under it, she reminded herself. But Carol knew it was different. It's now or never, she told herself, leaving the room quickly before she changed her mind.

"You can't wear that," Daryl blurted out the second he saw her. He jumped up and looked around. "Jesus, get back in there," he hissed.

"What? Why?" Carol asked, spinning around for him. "Don't you like it?" Daryl tried to guide her back into the fitting room and she stood her ground, which left him standing extremely close. She looked up at him and smiled, "I think this is my favorite." Daryl looked down, past her face. He was absolutely staring at her boobs, not that she could blame him - they were very much on display. She watched his face get red and somehow managed to keep from laughing. "What's wrong with it?" Carol asked, trying to look and sound completely innocent.

"It's… it's… it's… very, uh… revealing," he got out.

Carol looked down, his eyes followed, and she adjusted her boobs. "I guess…" she sighed. "But it looks sexy, don't you think?" She was going to force him to admit how hot she looked.

Daryl flushed even more as she turned again and looked back at him over her shoulder. He was still very close, protective almost, blocking anyone else from seeing her but him. "Yeah," he grunted. "It's… uh… definitely sexy… But you can't wear it," he added quickly, with emphasis on can't.

Finally Carol started to giggle. "I'm totally teasing you," she snorted. Daryl took a second to clue in, but once he did he glared at her. "I'm sorry, but you were being a… butt head."

"You told me to be honest," he shot back.

"I know," Carol sighed. "But froo-froo? Really?"

"What? It was," he insisted. They stared at each other for a minute and then they both started to laugh. "Ya know, maybe you should get that one… it could be funny watching the guys eyes pop out of their heads while they try to avoid staring at your tits."

"Yeah… you weren't too successful with that yourself now were you?" She teased.

"Go change," he grumbled, rolling his eyes. Carol went back in and shut the door. She loved the way Daryl was so moody, yet completely harmless. He went from shy and embarrassed to grumpy in a matter of seconds, but she found it charming and not at all offputting.

Carol quickly tried on the next dress. It was nice and it would work, but she'd saved the best for last. Before she even had it completely done up she knew it was the right one. It fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in a classy way. It showed a bit of cleavage but not too much. The color, a deep purple with a sheer silver sparkly overlay, was perfect for her. It was simple yet elegant, but still just sexy enough she knew she would catch a certain someone's attention - whether she should be trying to catch his attention in that way or not.

Carol got dressed and brought out all of the dressed except the one she was buying. "Oh, you're done?" Daryl asked, looking confused.

"I am," Carol nodded.

"Do we have to go somewhere else?" He asked, looking a bit terrified.

"Nope, I got what I needed." Daryl's eyes bugged out. "Don't worry, it's not one you've seen. It's gonna be a surprise," Carol explained. She went to the checkout and asked the saleswoman to bag the dress she'd left in the fitting room. Daryl wandered around while she paid and they were off.

She drove him back to the studio lot where his bike was waiting. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow night?" There would be alcohol at the mixer, likely wine and champagne, maybe some other stuff if they were lucky, so there would be a cab service to get them all home safely.

"Yeah," he replied with a nod. "You think anyone is still in there?" Daryl asked, nodding towards the studios.

"Probably," Carol said, looking at the clock. It wasn't quite 4pm. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to ask about Merle. They're gonna be flimin' stuff he's in and he ain't gonna be home yet." Carol could sense the sadness in his voice.

"You miss him don't you?" She asked softly.

"Nah," Daryl shook his head. Carol gave him a skeptical look. "A little, I guess," he admitted with a shrug.

"Are you lonely? I mean, being home by yourself," Carol inquired. She got lonely sometimes, but when she did she just thought about how she was finally free and it helped a lot.

"Nope," Daryl insisted. "Spent a lot more of my life alone than I have with people." Carol didn't push, but hoped maybe someday he would tell her all about it.

She gave him a warm smile. "You better get going before they close up."

"Yeah," he agreed, climbing out of the car. "See ya."

"Bye," Carol replied with a little wave. She pulled out of the parking lot very much looking forward to the mixer the next night.

DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL - DARYL

Daryl tried to forget the images of Carol in that skimpy dress as he headed inside the studio. He was sure the memories would come flooding back as soon as he was alone and allowed his mind to wander. It wasn't a vision he was about to forget anytime soon.

Mike was in his office even though the secretary had gone for the day. Daryl knocked lightly. "Daryl? Hey, come on in. What's up?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Merle," Daryl got right to the point. "How you gonna start filming without him? And the way the third episode ends…"

"Have a seat," Mike offered. Daryl didn't like the tone of his voice but he sat anyway. "Listen, I'm gonna be frank with you… Your brother is a junkie and he's a huge risk for us. We could have hired an actor for his part but Merle really is a captivating guy and more importantly… We wanted you." Daryl was instantly uncomfortable. "With the plans we have for your character plus you're unique looks and bad boy sex appeal… You are very likely to be the biggest star on this show right along with Rick." Daryl felt his stomach churn. "As for Merle… We can film his scenes in a few days once he's back. We might have to film slightly out of order but by the time Episode 1 wraps it will be pretty close to the time Merle will be released."

That made Daryl feel a little more comfortable. "But he cuts off his hand… Is the character going to die?"

Mike spoke in a very serious tone, "That's very much up to Merle himself and whether he can stay clean or not." Mike paused as if he wasn't quite sure if he should continue. "He knows Daryl. The scripts were taken to him and he was told exactly how this is going to work." Daryl felt some relief that at least they weren't keeping Merle in the dark. "We purposely wrote his part this way as a probation period, so to speak. The last we see him in season one is what you've already read. But we have the opportunity to either see Merle again or we can just as easily kill off the character." Daryl felt sick at the idea of Merle being killed off while his character remained. This whole thing was Merle's idea. "So there you have it… Merle stays sober and he sticks around longer. He falls off the wagon…" Mike shrugged and shook his head.

Daryl was quiet for a moment while he contemplated what he'd be told. There was really nothing to argue with and it was a fair deal. "Was he… Was Merle okay with it?" Daryl asked.

"He was," Mike nodded. "Don't look so surprised," he chuckled. "Your brother is a smart man, especially with a clear mind. He knows what a huge opportunity this is… Probably far more than you do."

Daryl knew. He really did. But it didn't mean he was ever going to like all that came with the job. He was fairly certain he would be begging for a way out before too long.

He stood. "Thanks for your time."

"One more thing…" Mike stopped him. "I know she's gorgeous and there's something real special about her… But be careful with Carol ok?" Daryl froze in shock. "There's nothing in your contracts about fraternization… Though perhaps there should have been… anyway, we have big plans for both characters. You two have amazing chemistry on screen, don't risk it by doing anything stupid."

"Ain't nothin going on," Daryl snapped. "We're friends - that's all." As he left the building and headed for his bike Daryl wasn't sure who he'd been trying to convince. Either way, Mike was right. Daryl didn't care as much about hurting himself but he didn't want to risk things getting messy for Carol - She was way too important to him.