Howdy! Sorry this isn't the most interesting of chapters but I'm tired... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! Hope you're all well!

xKim

"Hello son." Hershel drawled as Daryl made his way down the stairs and over to the old man.

Daryl nodded his head once and looked around the cellblock, "Have you seen Carol?"

Hershel smiled slightly, "She took Judith out onto the forecourt for some fresh air." He explained spooning out a bowl full of rice and handing it to Daryl. "Take her some food out, will you?"

"Sure. You got some for me?"

Hershel filled another bowl and handed it over, "It's just plain rice, we could do with some squirrel or somethin'."

"I'll go on a hunt tomorrow." Daryl offered.

"Thank you."

Daryl nodded once and made his way out onto the forecourt with the two bowls of rice, he spotted Carol standing cradling Judith next to where Carl was stood and quickened his pace.

"Morning." Carl smiled acknowledging Daryl, Daryl nodded his head at the teenager and came to a standstill next to Carol.

"Have you composed yourself?" Carol muttered eyeing him up with a mischievous look in her eye.

Daryl blushed and looked towards a confused looking Carl then back at Carol, "I brought you some rice." He stated effectively changing the subject.

"Oh, thank you." She smiled juggling Judith in her arms so that she had one hand free to accept the bowl.

"Here," Carl offered holding his arms out, "I'll take her so you two can eat."

"Thank you." Carol handed over the little girl and flexed her now free arm, "She's gettin' a good weight."

"Good." Daryl grunted stuffing a spoon full of rice into his mouth.

Carol smiled slightly as Carl wandered off with Judith in his arms, "How are you?"

Daryl nodded, "I'd be even better if you weren't constantly tryin' to embarrass me." He frowned and Carol chuckled, "I'm serious, I feel like everyone's laughin' at me."

"Oh don't be ridiculous," Carol rolled her eyes, "No one's laughin' at you, why would they?"

Daryl shrugged and stepped a little closer to her, "'Cause they're seein' the softer side to this 'dumb as shit redneck'."

"I thought I was the only one who saw your softer side?" She asked raising one eyebrow and shrugging, "And stop referin' to yourself as 'dumb as shit', it really gets on my nerves when you say that kinda stuff." She scolded him.

Daryl smirked, "You're the only one - world over - who's seen my softer side." He told her.

She grinned at him and let out an exaggerated sigh, "I wish you weren't opposed to public displays of affection, I could kiss you when you say stuff like that."

Daryl blushed and shrugged, "Who knows how I'll be with public displays in the future. Never say never."

She didn't think it was possible but her smile grew wider still.

"Oh, I told Hershel I'd go huntin' tomorrow."

Her smile disappeared, she swallowed hard and nodded slowly, "Didn't we just get back from a hunt?"

Daryl shrugged, "There's more mouths to feed now, foods goin' in no time."

Carol nodded slowly and prodded at the congealed rice with her spoon, "How long will you be?" She asked trying to sound indifferent and failing miserably.

"Dunno, probably a couple of days..."

"Days?" Carol repeated, "Why days?"

Daryl swallowed a mouthful of rice and shrugged, "Well, we barely found anythin', I should go further out, see if I can find anythin' bigger than a squirrel." He told her, "I'll be fine."

"It don't feel right, you bein' out there on your own...what if somethin' happens?"

"Then you can keep my bike." He quipped, though the look she gave him removed all trace of a smile off his face, "Nothin's gonna happen, I promise you."

Carol chewed down on her bottom lip, "Can I come with you?"

Daryl looked awkward, "I'll be quicker without you." He stated.

"Meaning; I'd just slow you down."

"In a word...yeah." He looked apologetic and she sighed inwardly, "It's nothing personal, Rick would slow me down just as much. It's just...without knowin' you're safe, I'll be distracted the whole time I'm out there." He mumbled casting his eyes down to his boots, "If it makes you feel better...I'll be thinkin' of you the entire time I'm out there."

Carol smiled slightly and nodded, "Me too." She breathed quietly.

"And I'll bring you back an extra squirrel." He nudged her playfully.

She laughed and shook her head, "And they said romance is dead."

Daryl smiled slightly as Carl made his way back over with baby Judith in his arms, "Want me to take her?" He offered wiping his hands on his jeans, Carl nodded once and handed over the little girl who was more than happy to go to Daryl, "Hey gorgeous girl." He cooed rocking her slightly.

Carol smiled and nodded her head in the direction of the prison, "Shall we take her inside? It feels a little cool out here." She placed her hand on his forearm and looked down at Judith, "Not that she's bothered."

Daryl smiled and nodded slowly, "Yeah, you gonna be okay out here alone Carl?" He asked averting his gaze to the teenager.

Carl nodded once and adjusted his hold on his gun, "Yeah, Michonne's right over there anyway..." He trailed off as he nodded his head in the direction of the overturned bus, "I'll see you guys later."

Carol turned on her heel and started towards the prison, closely followed by Daryl. She smiled as she listened to him talk to the child and tried her hardest not to think of the fact that tomorrow he'd be gone for god knows how long...