Because I love you all, you're getting a double post today! Thanks everyone for reading, reviewing and favouriting this fic, it means a lot.

xKim

Daryl adjusted the strap of his crossbow on his shoulder and stared off into the distance, it was getting light now but Carol was still asleep - and considering she'd had an uncomfortable, broken nights sleep he wanted to let her get as much as possible before he woke her to get walking again.

He was trying his absolute hardest to keep from watching her sleep, he couldn't count the amount of times he'd watched her while she slept, many nights on the road, the night in the bar, the night he found her half dead... He remembered sitting up all night just watching her in disbelief, he'd been given another chance with her, and despite lacking faith he thanked God he'd found her safe.

He turned slowly, hoping that the sound of crunching leaves wouldn't wake her, luckily she remained in the foetal position on the ground at his feet and he found himself smiling at how innocent she looked.

Daryl didn't understand his feelings for Carol, it wasn't so much a logical thought, more like messy feelings that combined proved to be more confusing than anything. But it was irrefutable; Daryl cared more for Carol than anyone he'd ever known. And that terrified him beyond words. He would forever worry about her and forever protect her from all the bad in the world, or at least he'd die trying.

Daryl sighed inwardly and forced himself to look away, he knew if she woke up to find him staring at her that would probably creep her out. Instead, he angled his body away from hers and stared off at nothing in particular.

Half an hour and two more squirrels later and Daryl was beginning to grow impatient. He didn't like stopping in one place for too long... Just in case.

"Carol." He whispered, though his voice had absolutely no effect on the sleeping Carol, he knelt down in front of her and brushed his fingers against her cheek, she stirred and awoke, "Rise and shine." He half-smiled and Carol grinned back at him, waking up to that face was something she wanted to get used to.

"How long was I out?" She asked quietly as she blearily got to her feet and stretched.

"2 hours." Daryl stated, "You looked like you needed it."

"I did." Carol said, she placed one dainty hand over her mouth and yawned quietly, "Ready?"

"Don't you wanna wake up properly first?"

"Yeah good point, where's my coffee?" She quipped. "No, I'm ready when you are."

Daryl nodded his head and began to walk slowly at first, knowing that a brisk walk would be a little too much for her aching limbs and the fact she had just woke up, he walked alongside the river, occasionally casting a look over his shoulder at Carol to check that she was okay.

"Daryl can I ask you a question?" Carol finally broke the silence that had fallen between them, "It's something that's been bugging me for a few days." She mumbled.

Daryl nodded once.

"What's wrong with me?" She asked and Daryl turned to face her, a confused expression etched across his face, "I mean, if I looked like Karen, you probably would have kissed me back."

Daryl scoffed and shook his head, "There's nothin' wrong with you and I ain't interested in Karen."

"There must be." She stated looking down at her feet.

"Look," Daryl began and she looked up at him through thick lashes, "I told you then and I'll tell you now, it ain't you, it's me."

"That's very original Mr Dixon." Carol replied, feeling slightly ridiculous.

Daryl stopped walking, tilted his head and held her gaze, "I'm not very good at this type of thing," He began, his voice low and timid, "Women." He said the word like it was foreign, "It doesn't come easy to me like it does with Glenn, I'm not the type to hold your hand or kiss you in public-"

"We weren't in public." Carol reasoned.

Daryl shrugged, "I'm good at all this," He gestured to the trees, "Survivin'. But when it comes to anythin' else I'm a dumb shit."

"Even love?"

Daryl nodded his head, taken aback by the 'L' word, he'd never considered that what they had could be love, he shrugged and broke eye contact, "I don't do love."

"Everyone's gotta start somewhere Daryl." She breathed softly. "You won't always feel that way." She added but Daryl shook his head, "You won't."

"I can't see me being love-sick like Glenn and Maggie – can you?"

Carol shrugged, "Depends on if the right woman came along," She muttered shyly, she shrugged and walked closer to him, "Ed was the only man I've ever been with," She confessed out of the blue, "You couldn't exactly call that love, I was black and blue for most of our time together. After he died I didn't think I'd ever feel like I wanted to be with anyone else again..." She explained, Daryl's eyes widened marginally and she shook her head, "I'm not sayin' I wanna get all cute and cuddly with you. I'm just sayin' that you should never write off love."

Daryl nodded once, "We should carry on movin'." He stated in an attempt to change the subject.

Carol nodded once, "Sorry to get all deep and meanin'ful on you." She half-laughed and Daryl shook his head to indicate that it didn't matter, she stepped closer to him and placed her hand softly on his forearm, "You have a big heart Daryl, it'd be such a waste if you didn't let someone in." She breathed, "And that's all I'm sayin' on the matter."

Daryl stared at her hand on his forearm and nodded once, if only she knew that no one had ever been this close to him, not even Merle knew him like Carol did. He nodded his head in the direction they had been walking in and cleared his throat, "C'mon then."