Daryl rolled out of his bunk early the next morning. He and Tyreese had a long run out today, and he wanted to see Carol before he left. Daryl had faced up to some hard truths during the night. He had driven Carol away by his own actions, and he had hit rock bottom without her. He was behaving recklessly, was rude to everyone, and he had found it convenient to blame being a Dixon for every shitty thing he did. Facing up to that had been tough, but he had given himself a do-better talk and it was time to put some walk in his talk.

Daryl grabbed the dinner plate, some clean clothes, and headed out to the communal shower. The water was lukewarm but bearable. He took a shower using some soap reported to be manly but not Georgia redneck manly, washed his hair, brushed his teeth, dressed in clean clothes, and combed his hair. The Daryl in the mirror looked nervous but determined.

Carol spied Daryl as soon as he entered the dining hall noting his cleaned up appearance. She steeled herself to remain cool and collected; she wasn't going to be a doormat anymore. Daryl headed toward her with his plate. He brushed past her and put the plate in the sink running water over it and washed it. Daryl spoke softly," Thank you for dinner last night. It was really good and I appreciate it." His speech sounded rehearsed but sincere. She kept her voice casual "You work hard to keep all of us fed, so it's the least we can do to keep you from going hungry". He edged a little closer and she saw that his eyes looked particularly blue this morning and he smelled good too. Daryl looked at his Carol and sensed that the time was right to begin his road to redemption. And then Roadblock Tyreese showed up and drawled in his best Clark Gable voice, "You look mighty pretty this morning, Miss Carol." And of course he couldn't stop there, "You look mighty pretty this morning too, Miss Daryl", and then he ruffled Daryl's newly combed hair back to its usual disarray. Daryl just rolled his eyes and said in his best Georgia redneck voice, "Frankly, my dear I don't give a damn". Carol was so surprised that she rewarded him with a grin and Tyreese made a big show of straightening his hair. Daryl gave him the evil eye but nothing much worked on Tyreese.

Carol just handed them plates and piled on some food, Daryl and Tyreese sat down at a table close to where Carol was serving breakfast. Daryl was quick to get the seat facing Carol. Tyreese leaned toward Daryl and whispered, "Are you talking to Carol now?" Daryl warned, "Mind your own business, Tyreese". Daryl had taken an instant dislike to Tyreese, he thought he was too loud, too much of a show off, and too close to Rick. Then, Rick had put Daryl and Rick on runs and Daryl had first learned to tolerate him and then to like and respect him. He started liking him immediately after realizing that Tyreese was truly in love with Michonne and not after Carol. He was just friendly with everyone. Unfortunately he had figured that out after their fight.

Tyrolese's face lit up and Daryl reckoned that Michonne had come in for some coffee. Everybody knew that Michonne was not a morning person and gave her plenty of room before she had some coffee. No one left any coffee behind on a run, and no one took the last cup until Michonne had coffee. Tyreese was now holding out her a seat at their table and fetching a cup of coffee for her. The man was seriously whipped because she barely gave him the time of day. Daryl figured that Michonne was a lot like him, so that didn't mean that she didn't like Tyreese. She just kept her wants from being known. He smiled at her while he was thinking that they were both good with weapons but not so good with people. Michonne almost smiled back but she decided to get a refill and see if Daryl's good mood had anything to do with Carol.

Carol and Michonne had become very close during the winter. Michonne was trying to help Andrea adjust to life in the prison and struggling to find her place within this group. Michonne began a fighting class in the prison gym and Carol went to every class, and worked out with weapons every day. At first she was so sore that it hurt to move, she was covered with bumps and bruises took her empty coffee, but she just worked harder. Carol got faster, stronger, and more aggressive with weapons. Michonne surprised her one day with a gift of a Zakasushi, a traditional Japanese sword tailored for a smaller warrior. It was Carol's most prized possession; she nicknamed it "Zak" and kept it in perfect condition and with her at all times when she was out of the prison. Carol, Tyreese, and Michonne often went on runs together. Carol was the stealth warrior; she just sneaked up on a walker and took them out silently. Tyreese was the hammer; he obliterated the walker, and Michonne was the surgeon, cutting with precision and power. They made a good team.

Rick was sitting with Daryl and Tyreese going over their game plan for the day. The run was to a medical supply warehouse two counties away. Rick had a map of the town and he wanted them to scout it out for future runs. The warehouse might be already cleared out but the prison medical supplies were running low. Tyreese had checked out the Suburban that they were taking today. It had a full tank and an extra gas supply and they were good to go.

Rick moved on to Maggie and Glenn calling for Carol to join them. Daryl knew that meant that she would be going on a run with them. He decided to eavesdrop to see where they were going. The news was that the run was only a few miles from the prison. Maggie and Glenn had went through a house yesterday, got some good stuff, and wanted to return and go through a warehouse on the property. It seemed like a quick in and out run.

Daryl left to gather his supplies, weapons, food, water, first aid kits and on a run with Tyreese some of his music. Tyreese played his music on the way and Daryl played his on the way back. Tyreese favored soul music from the late sixties and seventies because he had grown up listening to his parent's music and Daryl liked it too though he would never admit it. Daryl just took some classic country music tapes and allowed Tyreese to pick from them. It was a fair trade for not making him listen to rap music. Tyreese favored Patsy Cline, though he would pick different singers occasionally. In no time Tyreese learned the song and sang along. Every once in a while Daryl did too. Good times in the ZA.

Daryl hustled out to vehicles. He wanted to tell Carol goodbye today. He had always hated leaving without saying goodbye to her. There was an old country song about leaving without saying a word of farewell that ran through his mind every time he left since they had their fight. She used to always show up and he got used to telling her to be safe. He had just put his stuff in the backseat when the Three Musketeers showed up with their run bags. Carol had Zak on a back sheath, a knife, and a revolver. He checked the others out and with the shotguns and rifles that were kept in the vehicles at all times they should be prepared. Glenn held the door open for Maggie, she slid to the middle, and he took the driver's seat. Daryl beat Carol to the other side and held the door open her. He offered up a friendly "Be careful" to Maggie and Glenn, and a "Be safe" to Carol. He touched her shoulder and shut the door. It wasn't a lot but that sad song wasn't playing in his head either. Tyreese was in the Suburban and The Commodores were singing "Three Times a Lady". And they were off.